Women's Health may earn commission from the links on this page, but we only feature products we believe in. At this point, I’m pretty sure I qualify as the woman who lived in her shoes. Not in a glamorous Carrie Bradshaw kind of way, but in a professional-sneaker-tester kind of way.
I probs have at least 30 pairs crowding my closet and entryways right now, and that’s not even counting the pairs I’ve run into the ground or given away to friends and family (you’re welcome). My top priority is always comfort, and while you might find that a given when it comes to sneakers, I’ve tested my fair share of options that make my feet feel stiff and achy. So, I present to you the pairs of comfortable shoes—think walking shoes and cross-training shoes—that actually keep me feeling comfortable and supported without slacking on cuteness.
From memory foam insoles that mold to your foot's unique shape to running shoes with responsive soles that absorb your stride’s shock, these are the most comfortable sneakers for women, tested by myself and other sneaker enthusiasts at Women’s Health. The brand ethos of On is to make people feel like they're running on Clouds. It achieves this thanks to its signature Helion Superfoam midsole, which sets itself apart with a construction that blends rigid, stable sections with flexible foam.
This combination of materials provides the perfect balance of cushioning and energy return, giving you a bouncy, lightweight feel when your foot hits the pavement. The result is a soft, natural ground feel, rather than an overly bouncy cushioning experience. Fitness contributor Nicolette Accardi says this tech alone is why this shoe is an absolute workhorse when it comes to running (and running fast!).
It’s her all-time favorite race shoe—she even ran a half-marathon in it. According to Accardi, the shoe feels firm but still has enough flexibility that her running gait isn’t impacted. The toebox has a ton of room for movement, but still holds the foot in place so each step feels responsive and energetic.
Even when her legs feel like they’re about to give out, these shoes pick her right back up. On’s innovative speedboard, a flexible plastic plate wedged between the footbed and midsole, snaps back into place for a bouncy effect after your feet hit the ground. This means the shoe requires less energy output with each stride, making running feel easier.
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