Best Shoes For Treadmill Walking in 2023

1. Brooks Ghost 15

The Brooks Ghost 15 is one of the brand’s most popular shoes for walkers with a neutral foot. It’s a high-comfort shoe, ideal for walking on the treadmill.

The outsole uses two different rubbers to increase durability. There’s soft-blown rubber on the forefoot of the shoe, which provides a good grip on your treadmill deck. On the heel is a harder rubber, which is highly durable especially for those individuals who are heel strikers. Both of these rubbers are thicker than the usual outsoles on most shoes.

In the forefoot, you’ll find three flex grooves to increase flexibility, allowing you to have the freedom to walk comfortably at an incline on the treadmill or keep it flat.

There are two midsole foams in the Ghost 15—DNA Loft and BioMoGo. DNA Loft runs down the lateral side of the midsole, and BioMoGo runs down the medial side. This combination of foam allows the shoe to be both soft and responsive at the same time.

The air mesh upper is ventilated and has a spacious toe box for comfort. The tongue, ankle collar, and heel are well-padded. Both the heel and the toe have stiff reinforcements for structure and durability.

Some users report that this shoe isn’t very durable, despite the thick layer of outsole rubber. If you’re only using this shoe for walking on the treadmill, it should still last a long time.

2. Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 40

The Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 40 is the latest iteration of Nike’s Pegasus line, which is known for being versatile and comfortable.

It’s designed to be both comfortable and to perform, and it would be an excellent option to use for walking on the treadmill in optimal comfort.

The upper is soft and features midfoot webbing that alleviates pressure across the foot and reduces hotspots. A padded tongue not only improves comfort but also locks the foot down more securely, getting rid of the heel slippage that was a problem with the previous version of this shoe.

Nike React foam in the midsole is responsible for the comfort and the bounciness of this shoe. It offers lightweight comfort, padding the shoe without adding unnecessary weight.

There is also a Zoom Air unit in the midsole forefoot, which not only absorbs the impact of your footstrikes but provides a good energy return, allowing you to have a powerful toe-off.

The outsole of the Pegasus is extremely durable, and if used only on a treadmill belt, should last a long time. The lugs on the bottom of the shoe are not so large that they interfere when walking on the treadmill.

The Pegasus 40 runs small, so you may need to order a size bigger than you usually would.

3. ASICS GT-1000 10

If you want a pair of shoes that is affordable but durable enough for regular treadmill use, the ASICS GT-1000 10 would be a good choice. It features ASICS’ FLYTEFOAM cushioning, which is light and comfortable but also responsive in terms of energy return.

This foam uses organic super fibers which don’t flatten out like other foams do, keeping the midsole of your shoe spongy and responsive even after many miles of use. There is also GEL cushioning in the rearfoot to protect the heel and joints from impact.

This is a stability shoe, so walkers with a neutral shoe may not feel comfortable wearing it. It uses DUOMAX technology to reduce the effects of overpronation, which is a firmer section of foam in the medial side of the shoe for support.

It also uses a Guidance Trusstic System that includes Guidance Line technology, which is a vertical flex groove on the outsole that decouples the sole, providing more flexibility and maximizing stride efficiency.

Jacquard mesh, a fabric lining, and plush ankle collar and tongue make this shoe comfortable and ventilated. ASICS’ AHAR rubber outsole is durable and allows one a good grip on the treadmill belt.

The shoe can run narrow in the toe box area, so you may need to order a half size larger.

4. New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v13

Individuals with wide feet may struggle to find shoes that are both comfortable and supportive. The New Balance Fresh Foam 880v13 is an ideal choice if you need more space in the shoe.

The shoe is available in wide and extra-wide sizes. An engineered jacquard mesh upper is soft to the touch and flexible enough to accommodate wide feet without causing hot spots. There are few overlays on the upper, which may reduce the structural stability but significantly improves the breathability.

Fresh Foam X in the midsole is plush and soft, but also offers enough bounce to be responsive whether on the road or on a treadmill. When you put your foot into this shoe, the molded footbed contours to your foot, making you feel like this shoe was made for your foot. There’s also an external heel counter—or heel clip—to add extra stability to every stride. A slight flare on the Achilles also reduces the chances of chafing.

Although New Balance shoes come in a variety of sizes and accommodate a wide foot, many buyers have reported that the shoes run narrow, so you may need to order an extra width.

5. New Balance Fresh Foam Vongo v5

Even if you’re only walking on the treadmill at a moderate pace, you still need the right type of shoes to support your feet. Individuals who overpronate will need a stability shoe like the New Balance Fresh Foam Vongo v5.

The generous midsole is made up of Fresh Foam X, an energetic but comfortable foam. Gradient Stability technology is what New Balance uses to correct overpronation. It’s a unique technology that makes the midsole denser in the medial side by the addition of pellets inside the foam.

This will keep the foot in the optimal position and prevent it from falling inwards on each step. In turn, this keeps the joints aligned and prevents injuries.

Another feature that will help is the extra-wide forefoot, which has 5mm more space than the previous version of this shoe. A wider platform makes it more stable, as well as dispersing impact better.

The blown rubber outsole will grip the treadmill belt effectively so you can walk safely. The forefoot rubber also adds more cushion, and flex grooves in the outsole also provide more mobility when walking. It also has a rocker-shaped bottom which helps the heel-to-toe transition to go more smoothly.

This shoe can run large so you may need to order a size down.

6. ASICS GEL-CUMULUS 25

If you need extra ankle support to stay safe when walking on the treadmill, the ASICS Gel-Cumulus is a good shoe choice.

The single-piece mesh upper is soft and breathable, so the shoe is comfortable on the foot. It’s lightweight but may absorb water if you run in a rainstorm.

For better ankle support, the ankle collar and heel are generously padded, keeping the ankle snug in the shoe and providing comfort while preventing chafing.

The midsole consists of dual FlyteFoam layers—of different densities—and a GEL unit in the rearfoot for better impact absorption and energy return.

It also uses Space Construction, which is a hexagonal pillar technology that’s built into the midsole. It’s gender-specific, featured only in the heel of the men’s shoes but in the heel and the forefoot of the women’s shoes. This helps provide more softness in the midsole, which diffuses vibrations and protects the joints.

The outsole is thick and durable and will last many hundreds of miles on the treadmill. It features AHAR rubber on the forefoot and AHAR+ on the heel. There are also deep flex grooves in the outsole, which help the foot and shoe to move together in a natural way.

7. Brooks Levitate 4 LE

If you prefer a shoe that has a slip-on design, the Brooks Levitate 4 LE might be the right choice for you.

The sock-like FitKnit upper has built-in elasticated laces, which are hidden by an integrated wraparound cover that supports the midfoot. This makes it easy to slip the shoe on and off and still get a good level of support and stability.

The DNA AMP midsole is 20% lighter than it used to be, and offers a good amount of energy return, making you feel like you have a spring in your step. There’s also a cushioned footbed which provides extra support and shock absorption. It’s removable if you want to use a custom insert instead.

The arrow-point tread pattern offers good grip on surfaces like a treadmill belt, and also helps you to move from heel to toe quickly and easily in your stride.

8. Brooks Launch 10

People who prefer lightweight shoes may like the Brooks Launch 10. It’s a light and comfortable trainer, made for both long, leisurely walks or a bit of speed work on the treadmill.

A streamlined air-mesh upper gives the shoe a snug feel but it remains breathable. On the heel, an elf-ear design makes it easy to slip your foot in and out of this shoe.

On the bottom, blown rubber on the forefoot is durable and provides good traction on the treadmill. A unique Midfoot Transition Zone on the outsole is designed for a comfortable and efficient heel-to-toe transition.

The BioMoGo DNA midsole combines BioMoGo and DNA cushioning. This makes it very soft and comfortable, but some might feel that the shoe lacks responsiveness and feels a bit flat.

9. Nike React Miler 2

Even if you’re only planning on walking slowly on the treadmill, wearing ill-fitting shoes can lead to injury or discomfort. It can be difficult to find the right fit for your feet, but the Nike React Miler 2 has a secure-fit system that should work for most people.

The engineered mesh upper is lightweight but reinforced with synthetic overlays on the toe and midfoot. Four bands in the midfoot with the laces, tightening around the foot when you lace your shoes up to provide a personalized fit. There’s also a stiff strip running around the heel to provide extra support.

The full-length Nike React foam midsole is plush and comfortable for many miles. To keep with the plush feeling, the heel and ankle collars are well-padded and lock the foot down well. The midsoles are also rocker-shaped, for better movement through the gait cycle.

The rubber outsole is high-abrasion and suitable for a variety of surfaces, including the treadmill deck.

The Nike React Miler runs small so you may have to get a size larger.

10. ASICS GEL-KAYANO 30

For overpronators, the ASICS Gel-Kayano is a stability shoe that provides support to keep the foot aligned and in a safe position that protects the ligaments, tendons, and joints.

A Jacquard mesh upper offers breathability but also is reinforced with synthetic overlays to provide extra stability to the foot and a better fit. A traditional lace-up closure also allows one to get a custom, tight fit for better stability.

This stability shoe uses Dynamic DuoMax Support System to prevent overpronation. This is a dual-density foam with a firmer section on the medial side of the shoe where extra support is needed for the overpronating foot.

The Guidance Trusstic System with Guidance Line technology helps your foot to move through a natural gait without shifting out of alignment. An external heel clutch system also helps to lock the heel in and prevent excess movement, preserving the stability of the foot.

ASICS’ FLYTEFOAM midsole with FLYTEFOAM Propel technology makes the midsole light, spongy and responsive. The addition of both front and rearfoot GEL technology improves the shock-absorbing properties of the shoe.