Design Your Own Shoes - Freaky Shoes
We went straight to the source, asking big brands what styles they recommended most for walkers based on their most popular walking shoes. We also slipped on samples, wearing them while hiking on easy trails, power walking through neighborhoods (often with kids and dogs in tow), and plodding up and down stairs at home. We took notes on how each shoe fared along the way. (And with more than 14 years of professional wear-testing experience, we have to admit, we take pretty good notes.) These are just some of our favorites, but we recognize that everyone and every foot is different. There is no such thing as the perfect shoe for everyone—only the perfect shoe for you. We hope this round-up helps you find it.
Some shoes, like this one, are designed to put an actual pep in your step. Skechers’ Hyper Burst midsole is a lightweight, resilient foam with spherical cells that compress and rebound as you step. That means the Go Walk Hyper Burst offers next level cushioning while you stride. And it doesn’t stop there—the slightly padded, breathable insole provides even more bounce underfoot. Combine that with the soft, flexible mesh and synthetic slip-on upper (only currently available in men’s style), and you’re all but guaranteed to be feeling good for miles on end.
Less bulky than a traditional hiking shoe but with many of the same high-tech features, the Gateway is great for when your walks take you on both roads and trails. Its lightweight, water-resistant upper kept our feet dry during rainy treks in the Pacific Northwest. The durable rubber outsole provides smart traction for varying terrains, and a thick EVA foam midsole gives you the just-right combination of cushioning, stability, and off-road protection. We also appreciate that this shoe was designed with sustainability in mind—the upper, sock liner, and laces are made with partially (55 to 100 percent) recycled materials and all of its leather components are sourced responsibly.
Built specifically to provide women premium support while they stride, the Perform fully lives up to its name. It offers an anatomically correct insole, with a slightly narrow heel (more secure fit!), a roomy toe box (greater stability!) and super-responsive cushioning (joint-protecting shock absorption!)—all while comfortably cradling your arch and heel. An engineered mesh upper is flexible and breathable, and the strategic tread pattern on the durable, compression-molded outsole helps keep you steady on your feet, no matter how fast you’re moving forward.
Slipping these shoes on after a long run feels akin to falling back onto a luxuriously soft mattress after a long day of travel. The cushy Ortholite footbed features a wave pattern that feels like a gentle massage underfoot, and a padded heel gives your ankle the support it needs to relax with every step. But the best part is the durable Vibram outsole that gives you solid traction to tackle just about any surface, so you can safely and comfortably sport this lightweight clog style wherever (and whenever!) you want. Winter walking bonus: The antimicrobial blended-wool upper keeps your feet warm and dry without overheating.
There’s a reason New Balance lists the Fresh Foam 1080v11 in both its running shoe and walking shoe categories. Although the lightweight, super-cushioned shoe is technically cut out for hitting the road pretty hard, it is also incredibly comfortable for cruising along with a good podcast (or friend). With an 8-millimeter drop from heel to toe and a bouncy foam midsole, the shoe offers plenty of support regardless of your pace. And the soft, bootie-like construction hugs your foot for a secure fit.
With wide sizes available, this simple, go-anywhere sneaker is built to make the miles more comfortable for everyone. The lightweight shoe features a breathable, mesh upper; a well-cushioned EVA foam midsole; a sock liner that contours specifically to your foot; and a durable rubber outsole that offers plenty of traction for all your daily treks.
You’ll notice yourself standing a little taller and walking a little softer while wearing this shoe. Despite its height, the women’s-only Pace is not too heavy, with a well-cushioned EVA foam midsole and a plush, padded heel and tongue that are guaranteed not to rub you the wrong way as you move. A strategically designed footbed provides extra arch support and shock absorption at the heel. Plus, both the shoe’s structure and the tread on its durable rubber outsole are shaped to help propel you forward with every step. Bonus: Its fabric is lined with anti-odor technology, so goodbye, stinky feet.
The Mizzles gives you all the eco-friendly perks of Allbirds’s popular Wool Runners—a soft, breathable Merino wool–lined foam insole, a flexible sugarcane foam outsole, and non-slip natural rubber treads—with the added benefit of a water-repellent technology, called Puddle Guard, applied to the fabric upper. So your feet are guaranteed to stay comfortable, warm, dry, and well-grounded while you run—er, walk—around town, no matter how much rain is in the forecast or how many errands (or tourist spots!) are on your to-do list. They’re also available in a cool high-top style (the Runner-up Mizzles) and a run-friendly one (the Dasher).
If you’re after a cloud-like feel, your search ends with the Bondi 7. Maximum cushioning comes courtesy the beefy EVA midsole that accounts for much of the 27 millimeter stack height in the forefoot (29 millimeters in the men’s version). That’s several millimeters taller than similar shoes, and chances are you’ll notice that extra height only after you feel the plushness underfoot. New in the seventh generation Bondi is a memory foam heel collar that secures the foot and surrounds the Achilles with soft padding. Despite the ventilated mesh upper, testers reported the thicker material wasn’t fully breathable. But at a moderate walking pace, you might not notice. For a workplace-ready shoe that can deliver all-day comfort, opt for the Bondi SR, which comes with water-resistant, full-grain leather upper and a slip-resistant rubber outsole.
Warning: Once you try on a pair of the boldly designed Ramble Puff, you absolutely will not want to take them off. But thanks to the water-resistant ripstop nylon upper and durable, lugged outsole, the good news is that you really don’t ever have to. Wear them at home, for brief trips to the mailbox, or even at camp around the firepit. A soft fleece lining makes you forget you’re not technically wearing slippers, a mid-ankle cinching strap allows you to adjust the shoe for the perfect foot-hugging fit, and built-in arch support keeps you comfortable all day.
Not to be confusing, but this green shoe is actually green. The unisex Revive is an active recovery shoe made from renewable materials, so it’s good for your feet and the planet. It’s built with a proprietary foam derived from sustainably harvested Brazilian sugarcane and other eco-sustainable materials (like the recycled plastic in its cinching string). Then you add in the fact that it’s also an incredibly comfortable, breathable, and supportive shoe to walk around in, and well, slipping the Revive on after a long, hard run becomes almost a no-brainer.
So, the question is: Can you actually cover any serious running mileage in a dad shoe? For the most part, sure—though you’ll have better luck with shoes designed specifically for running, as they tend to be lighter weight, more breathable, and made to hold up mile after mile. However, if you're a casual runner looking to log a few miles per week, these dad shoes can get you go where you're going in comfort and—depending on who you ask—style.
Dad shoes, or sneakers, or whatever your old man calls them, are cool now. Yes, those cringe-worthy shoes your dad used to buy and wear because they were “comfortable” are now popular among teens, fashionistas, hipsters, and grown men alike. In fact, these so-ugly-they-became-cool shoes are now part of a high-fashion world that influences the consumer marketplace, including the running world.
Every product listed below has been thoroughly evaluated and vetted by our team of test editors. We research the market, survey user reviews, follow the latest sneaker releases, and use our own experience running and kicking back in these shoes to determine the best options available. Some models have been tested by our staff, and those that haven’t have been carefully chosen based on their value, technical fabrics, comfort, and style.
Known as “the king of dad shoes,” this thickly cushioned trainer is back in style for all your workout needs. Nike even released an all-denim model for Father’s Day. The shoe sports a thick foam midsole with a full-length Air-Sole unit for lightweight cushion and bounce. The upper is made from a mix of leather and mesh. Just be warned that everyone will hear you coming from a block away—the Air Monarch is legendary for its new-shoe squeak.
Shoes CustomAvailable in an ever-increasing array of color options, this thick-soled casual shoe re-envisions '90s clunky sneaker style. The Yung-1 has a thick EVA foam midsole molded in a retro shape, and a mesh upper with suede overlays. You can find it in dad-approved all white, as well as several wilder color options.
The OG Hoka was shockingly thick when it first dropped in 2011, but its design has since become increasingly streamlined, meaning it now resembles a reasonable trainer ready to power your next marathon PR. Hoka’s early-stage meta-rocker sole gives these a natural feel when walking, and the cushioning keeps you comfortable all day. Few sneakers deliver an almost-Seinfeldian level of normcore authenticity like these New Balances. Expect them to stay plush and comfortable, even when you’re on your feet all day. The shoes have a wide, forgiving toe box, flexible but firm midsole with plenty of cushion, and a leather upper.
Another retro relaunch, the Aztrek is an all-terrain runner with a thick midsole and rugged rubber outsole. The current Reebok Aztrek is pretty faithful to the OG version, right down to the same synthetic suede and mesh upper, logo stripes, reflective details, and Hexalite cushioning. Reebok recently dropped a Nintendo-themed version, if you really want to go for an all-out '90s look.
These classic shoes are not only the quintessential dad shoe, but they are comfortable, have great quality, and will last you for years and years. These have been worn by dads all across the US since the '90s—and we're pretty sure many pops out there are still wearing the same pair all these years later. They are also one of the few NB shoes still made in America.
How do you even capture the chunkiness of this shoe in words? The Yeezy 500 has an oversized, bulbous design with an adiprene-cushioned midsole that looks like waves or an invasion of cumulus clouds. The shoe’s upper is made from suede overlaid on mesh, and is designed for all-day comfort. Be warned: These might be hard to snag at retail value.
Asics got its start nearly 70 years ago, when Kihachiro Onitsuka began making basketball shoes in his living room in Kobe, Japan. He soon expanded to running shoes, and his first pair, the Marathon Tabi, came out in 1953. His business grew, and in 1977, he merged it with two other companies and began selling footwear in the United States. He also changed the company’s name to Asics, an acronym for the Latin phrase “Anima Sana In Corpore Sano” (a sound mind in a sound body). Since then, Asics has grown into one of the premier running shoe companies.
In May 1990, Asics opened the Institute of Sports Science in Kobe, where the company conducts materials tests and biomechanical research to fine-tune its designs. This lab has produced and refined some of Asics’ hallmark technologies, like its new GuideSole design (see below), as well as one of its best-known innovations: Gel cushioning. It consists of a gel-like substance implanted in the midsole that absorbs impact forces for a smoother ride. You’ll find it in most of the company’s flagship shoes, including the Gel-Kayano, Gel-Cumulus, and Gel-Nimbus. Another key innovation is the Impact Guidance System, which combines an external heel counter, specially designed plates in the midsole, and dual-density cushioning (called Duomax) to provide additional support while running.
Like other shoemakers, Asics pushed past EVA foam with its own proprietary cushioning, called FlyteFoam. Formulated to be lighter and more resilient than standard EVA, this material is further refined into subgroups of FlyteFoam Propel, which includes a special elastomer to increase energy return, and FlyteFoam Lyte, an even lighter-weight version. More recently, Asics developed the lightweight, bouncy FlyteFoam Blast formulation, and it’s used to give the NovaBlast shoe a notably pillowy, propulsive ride. The company’s latest foam is FlyteFoam Blast Turbo, and it’s found in the race-oriented MetaSpeed Sky. This new foam uses nylon, which compresses easily (for a soft feel underfoot) but springs back to its normal shape (for durable cushioning and good energy return).