There's no doubt about it — Skechers makes some of the most comfortable shoes on the market, making them a popular choice for people with knee and back problems. The best Skechers are designed to make walking, running, and long days on your feet more cushioned. But with so many styles, it can be tricky to know which to buy.
I'm a fitness editor, and together with my team, I've been wearing and testing Skechers for the past decade. My top pick for most people would be the Skechers Go Walk Workout Walker, which is super comfortable for long walks.
If you're traveling, or find it tricky to tie laces, the Skechers Slip-ins Summits Dazzling Haze are your best choice. They are cushioned, and by nature, extremely easy to slip on and off.
The best Sketchers shoes you can buy today
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Best Skechers overall
I review running shoes for a living, but you're more likely to find me in fashion trainers, Converse, or heels. But as I started the long process of recovering from a twisted ankle, I reached for a pair of shoes that have been on my to-test pile for a while now — the incredibly popular Skechers Go Walk workout walker.
I was immediately shocked by how comfortable these shoes were, both for daily walks, and everyday wear. The Skechers Arch Fit insole system is podiatrist-certified and offers instant arch support as you move. The brand says this is developed with 20 years of data and 120,000-foot scans.
The insole is removable and designed to give you a cushioned, comfortable walking experience. In the midsole of the shoe, there’s also Skecher’s Hyper Burst cushioning — designed to be responsive and lightweight underfoot and a carbon-infused plate, to help for a springy toe-off.
I was impressed with the arch support in this shoe. I have high arches, and my foot immediately felt cradled in the shoe, allowing me to walk comfortably. The cushioning is incredibly plush — I often spend my weekends on my feet heading out on longer hikes with my energetic (read: hyperactive) cocker spaniel puppy.
I was easily able to walk and stand for most of the day wearing these, and it’s no wonder so many doctors and nurses opt for the brand. I did find the sizing was generous, however, so if you're between sizes, I'd be tempted to size down.
- Read my full Skechers Go Walk Workout Walker review
Best Skechers for cross training
The Skechers Skech-Lite Pro may not win any accolades for cutting-edge style — they’re a bit old-fashioned and clunky — but there are some major benefits to their design.
The Skech-Lite Pro’s substantial midsole boasts a shock-absorbing “Skech-Lite” layer that protects your stride during impact, while the trademarked “Air-Cooled Memory Foam” insoles provide additional support.
They’re not as plush as some of the Skechers on our list (and have fewer high-tech features), but they’re still very comfortable and actually felt more supportive than some of the cushier models. That’s a trade-off I’m willing to make — especially while running, jumping, and lifting.
Despite their bulk, the Skech-Lite Pros are as light as their name suggests. That’s worthy of praise all on its own, as most of the bulkier cross-training shoes I’ve tested (like the Nike Metcon 7 or Brooks Adrenaline) start to feel very heavy as the exercise minutes tick by.
The upper is made from an engineered mesh that, like most Skechers sneakers, makes the shoe machine washable. It’s a breathable material that still provides decent structure, although it did press uncomfortably against a bad bunion I have.
To be fair though, that’s an issue I have with nearly every shoe I own. The Skech-Lite Pros’ traditional lace-up system allows for a fully customizable fit, so loosening the laces on those first few wears helped alleviate some of the pain.
And on a positive note, it didn’t take much time to break them in and significantly lessen the pressure. The outsoles felt a bit slippery when I first slid them on, and I actually had to catch myself on the kitchen counter to keep from falling within the first few minutes of wearing them.
But as soon as I took them out on the pavement, the bottoms roughened up and they felt a lot more stable. While minor, this is something to keep in mind – especially if you have balance or mobility issues.
I wore the Skechers Skech-Lite Pro for all of my various athletic pursuits, from running and HIIT classes to weight training and incline walking. They excelled in nearly every discipline, with only a few notable exceptions.
As a walking and HIIT shoe, the Skech-Lite Pro shines. Their lightweight design doesn’t drag you down on box jumps or burpees, and the Air-Cooled Memory Foam cushioning provides ample protection from varying degrees of impact without forfeiting stability.
My high knees and butt kicks have never felt more bouncy. They work well for light to moderate resistance training and short-distance running too, however, they’re a little too plush for any heavy weightlifting efforts.
The Skechers Skech Lite Pro is a versatile and inexpensive yet well-made sneaker that’s right for nearly any activity you choose — they’re among the best Skechers shoes overall. Their versatility may not extend to casual wear, but they hold their own among the high-quality cross-training shoes on the market.
- Read our full Skechers Skech Lite Pro review
Best slip-on Skechers
If you’re anything like me, tying your sneakers can be somewhat of a chore. This must be a common sentiment, as Skechers has designed a line of slip-on sneakers that take tying and untying your laces out of the equation. Just slide your foot into a pair of Skechers Slip-ins Summits, and you’re ready to go — no hands required.
The Skechers Slip-ins Summits are a sleek, low-profile shoe without a lot of bulk or flash. Personally, I like that Skechers has added lacing even if they’re not what I’d call entirely functional. The laces are made from a stretchy, flexible material that has some give to them, so if you’ve got wider feet, this is a blessing.
Unfortunately, they can’t be used to tighten the shoe at all, which is bad news if you’ve got narrower feet. The Summit’s outsole is relatively thin, but there are appropriate traction and flex grooves throughout the bottom.
Even with this additional texture, I still think they’re more suited to the treadmill than the pavement. The plus side to their thin outsole is that they’re incredibly lightweight — they almost feel more like slippers than sneakers. And of course, Skechers’ signature Air-Cooled Memory Foam makes the insole practically pillowy.
The upper portion of the sneaker is constructed with a cushy jersey knit that breathes well and hugs the frame of your foot. In my case, it hugged a little too tightly – my rather sizable bunion was throbbing after the first wear
This got better the more I broke them in (which is a normal process for most shoes), but it’s still worth mentioning. The Skechers Slip-ins Summits are perfect for most lower-impact activities like walking, light resistance training, and even dance cardio.
They’re also a super plush casual shoe, probably way more comfortable than the flats or boots that are lining your closet. For anything more intense, like running, HIIT circuits, or outdoor hikes, the Skechers Slip-ins Summits are a little too flimsy for the job.
One of the major downsides to slip-on sneakers is the inability to customize their fit, and this was a glaring issue during my jogs and HIIT workouts. I have very flat arches but a relatively narrow foot, and with every stride the edges of the collar lining would open up, causing a big gap between the shoe and my ankle.
This wreaked havoc on my stability — at one point during a HIIT routine, I even contemplated slipping off the shoe and doing the rest of the workout barefoot.
The Skechers Slip-ins Summits make slipping on your sneakers almost effortless, which is perfect for those with mobility issues, those who travel frequently, and those who can’t stand to tie their shoes.
- Read our full Skechers Slip-ins Summits review
Best casual Skechers
Unlike some of the other Skechers on this list, Tom's Guide's Mike Prospero decided to put these Skechers to the test at one of the biggest tech events of the year.
"One of the most common pieces of advice when going to CES is to wear a good pair of shoes. As a veteran of more trade shows than I can count, I can attest that this adage holds true. There's nothing worse than sore feet," writes Mike.
The result? We're all happy to report his feet stayed comfortable throughout the event, and many days since then, making these some of the best Skechers slip-in shoes to buy for casual wear.
They might not look as cool as some of the other options on this list, but if you want a pair of comfortable shoes that'll blend in with your outfit, while keeping your feet comfy, this is a good pick.
The only drawback we found during testing is that the upper portion of the shoe is a breathable mesh fabric. Normally, this is great (sweaty feet = stinky feet) but it's not ideal when standing outside on a cold winter day; the cold air penetrated right into our toes. You'll want to avoid puddles, too, as water will seep right in.
- Read our full Skechers Go Walk Max review
Best Skechers for walking
By design, the Skechers Slip-in Max Cushioning Smooth shoes are a slip-on shoe, with a thick, comfortable mid-sole, and a breathable mesh upper.
As a personal preference, a slip-on shoe wouldn’t be my go-to, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and while these won’t be making it onto any catwalks anytime soon, they didn’t look like orthopedic shoes.
One thing to note here is that I really struggled with the fit of these shoes. I wear a UK 4.5 in my everyday sneakers, but a UK 5 in my running shoes (confused? Check out my guide on how to buy running shoes).
When I was testing the Skechers Go Walk shoes, I found the UK 5 miles too big, so I opted to go down a whole size in these, wearing a UK 4. Yet even with thick workout socks, I still struggled, with my foot slipping slightly at the back of the shoe.
This might be a style thing — slip-on shoes, by nature, aren’t going to be as customizable as lace-ups, as you’re not able to pull the upper tight against your foot. Yet it might also be my feet — I have incredibly high arches, so it might be that the slip-in shoes just aren’t for me.
Either way, if you’re between sizes, I recommend sizing down, or ordering both and trying them at home (on the carpet). The midsole of this shoe is where the magic happens — they really are like walking on a cloud. Before my Skechers arrived, I’d read a lot of reviews to try and understand where the hype was coming from
A lot of doctors and nurses swore by them for long days on the wards, and a few customers said they wore them as slippers. They weren’t wrong to do so — these are seriously comfortable shoes.
If you're looking for a comfortable pair of Skechers slip-in shoes that'll cope with longer walks and hikes, this is the best option for you.
- Read our full Skechers Slip-in Max Cushioning Smooth review
Best Skechers for running
If you're looking for a versatile, exceptionally light running shoe, then Skechers Aero Razor is an excellent option, especially if max-cushioned daily trainers just don't work for you.
At $140, it's not the cheapest shoe in the Skechers lineup, but for a running shoe, it's incredibly good value. Plus, Skechers often runs sales, so you may be able to get it for even lower than this.
The Aero Razor's midsole is made from Hyper Burst Pro foam, which delivers a lot of energy return at faster paces. This was something we noted during testing, as it is an area where Skechers running shoes have fallen flat in the past.
This foam, combined with the fluid rocker and the nylon H-Wing in the forefoot, gave the shoe an effective, efficient ride during testing workout sessions, whether it’s intervals or tempo sessions. There are some foams that are a little more energetic, but at its price point, the Hyper Burst Pro is definitely impressive.
In terms of comfort, the Aero Razor was just about comfortable and supportive enough for long, easy runs during testing. However, it probably wouldn't be our first choice for that kind of run compared with a more cushioned shoe. Still, it's versatile enough to handle it.
With this in mind, if you're a runner who values comfort over everything else, you might find the Aero Razor too direct, and you'd likely want to pair it with a more cushioned shoe for easier runs.
Overall, we were impressed with the Skechers Aero Razor's performance. If you’re a fan of lightweight, lower-stack daily trainers, it’s one of the best (and best value) options on the market.
- Read our full Skechers Aero Razor review
Best everyday Skechers
The Skechers Arch Fit 2.0 Star Bound sneakers offer comfort and support for anyone looking for a versatile option to wear to run errands all day. The Air Cooled Memory Foam and Arch Fit technology work together to provide a bouncy walking experience, and the elevated heel aids in maintaining good posture by promoting heel-to-toe steps.
The upper of these trainers makes them look like regular sneakers, however, compared to the soft material of Skechers' other offerings, the leather of the upper takes a little time to bend with your footsteps, but once it does, you will reach for them every day.
During testing, we were blown away by the look and comfort of these shoes. Tom's Guide's Ashley said, "The Arch Fits provided me with all-day comfort on a very busy day, and I didn’t experience any of my usual lower back aches. The lifted heel also gave good posture support."
"They come equipped with Skechers’ usual podiatry specs, but the combination of technology in these made them incredibly comfortable for being on my feet all day — the perfect work shoe."
If you're looking for a stylish, comfortable option, you can't go wrong with these. They come in two colorways, white and black.
- Read our full Skechers Arch Fit 2.0 Star Bound review
How to choose the best Skechers for you
You’ll want to consider a few factors when selecting the right Skechers shoe, namely your foot and stride type, your exercise patterns, your mobility, and your planned usage.
Skechers make shoes in a variety of widths, with some men’s models even offered in extra wide sizes. That being said, many of the women’s shoes we tested are only available in medium widths — if you have a wider-than-average foot, you may be a little more limited in your choices.
You’ll also want to think about what kind of activities you’re planning to do while wearing your Skechers. All of the shoes on our list are great for walking short or moderate distances, light resistance training, and general movement (like running errands).
If you want a shoe that will properly support your foot for higher-impact activities, make sure you select a Skechers sneaker with traditional lacing and an appropriate mid and outsole design. And if you have very flat or extremely high arches, be aware that most of the Skechers on our list are best suited for neutral strides.
If you have limited mobility, you’ll want to factor that in as well. If bending down to tie your shoes is difficult or not possible for you, a hands-free slip-in sneaker would be your best choice.
Finally, you’ll want to consider where you’ll be wearing your Skechers the most. While all of the shoes on our list are great for a variety of activities, some transition to more casual usage better than others.
How we test the best Skechers
To test these shoes, we put them on our feet and used them as we went about our daily lives. So, we walked, took short jogs and runs, and did resistance training in them, while also wearing them throughout the day to assess their comfort.
As these are designed to be practical, accessible shoes that anyone can wear, we also focused on how easy they are to put on and take off, are the slip-in designs secure enough, and are any laces easy to grip and tie.
Sketchers also suggests you can wear these shoes in all environments, so that's what we did too, taking them through parks, sidewalks, and dusty roads. And once home, we checked to see how easy they were to clean and remove dust and mud from.
FAQs
Can Skechers be washed?
As you wear your shoes, they'll naturally get dirty, sweaty and may lack the vibrant color they started with. However, you can clean your Skechers shoes, but the process is different depending on the type of shoe.
The company sells specific Machine Washable Sketchers that are designed to put in the laundry. However, you should follow the specific instructions on the shoe's label and place them in a laundry bag or pillow case for the wash.
It's also important to keep them away from the dryer, and allow them to dry naturally in the air instead. If your shoes have memory foam insoles, this could take up to 12 hours before they're completely dry.
For other non-machine washable styles, the advice is to use a brush or towel to remove dirt and dust, then use soapy water (water and a small amount of detergent) to wipe the shoe with a brush or cloth and allow to air dry.
Are Skechers good for walking?
Although Skechers made their name as all-day comfort shoes, many pairs are ideal for walking too. You can take short walks in nearly all models, but some are designed to keep you comfortable and supported over extended walks.
One of the best Skechers for walking are the GO WALK, which are cushioned, lightweight, and have a carbon-infused plate to make the walk a bit more springy. But we also rate the Slip-In Max Cushioning Smooth, thanks to their breathable upper mesh designed to keep your feet cool.
