Comfortable men’s walking shoes in Australia come down to fit, not flash. Podiatrists keep pointing to the same checklist: a firm heel counter, a low wide heel, a deep toe box, and a sole that doesn’t slip.
Most common brand: Nike · Number of top 5 results: 5 · Primary shoe category: Casual sneakers
- Podiatrist-recommended features: firm heel counter, low heel height, broad base, non-slip sole, deep toe box (Melbourne Podiatrists and Orthotics)
- Podiatrist-recommended walking shoes: Hoka Bondi Leather (Entire Podiatry)
- ASICS walking shoe endorsement: GT-1000 LEATHER 2 and WALKRIDE FF recommended by Sports Medicine Australia (ASICS Australia)
- Podiatrist checklist for walking shoes: well cushioned, low heel, snug heel fit, room for toes (adidas Australia)
Before you buy, these are the numbers that explain why the Australian walking-shoe market keeps circling back to the same ideas.
| Aspect | Research finding |
|---|---|
| Most common brand in organic results | Nike |
| Number of top 5 results | 5 |
| Primary shoe category featured | Casual sneakers |
| Most popular walking shoe brand | Hoka |
| Podiatrist recommended feature | Removable insoles |
| Common material for comfort | EVA foam midsole |
| Top Australian retailer range | Over 500 men’s shoes at Myer |
Most popular walking shoe brand: Hoka · Podiatrist recommended feature: Removable insoles · Common comfort material: EVA foam midsole
What shoes are cool for guys right now?
According to the research snapshot, Nike appears as the most common brand in organic results, with casual sneakers as the primary category. Retro runners and minimalist leather sneakers are the style trends that keep appearing in Australian searches.
The pattern: Coolness in men’s shoes right now leans toward hybrid casual models that work for both everyday wear and light walking.
What are the top 10 best shoes for men?
Across the Australian research, two names do the heavy lifting: ASICS and Hoka. The honest top-10 list is a category list, not a single podium, because comfort depends on fit.
Top 10 overall
- Best max-cushion walking shoe: Hoka Bondi 8
- Best daily walking shoe: Hoka Clifton 9
- Best stability walking shoe: Hoka Arahi 6
- Best leather walking shoe: ASICS GT-1000 LEATHER 2
- Best lightweight all-day walker: ASICS WALKRIDE FF
- Most common casual sneaker brand in organic results: Nike
- Best retro runner: the style trend that keeps appearing
- Best minimalist leather sneaker: a repeat style in the research
- Best chunky-soled sneaker: another repeat style
- Best fit-first shoe: any shoe that passes the podiatrist checklist below
What are the top 5 shoes for men?
- Hoka Bondi 8
- Hoka Clifton 9
- Hoka Arahi 6
- ASICS GT-1000 LEATHER 2
- ASICS WALKRIDE FF
What are the top 5 walking shoes for men?
- Hoka Bondi 8 — max cushioning
- Hoka Clifton 9 — everyday comfort
- Hoka Arahi 6 — stability support
- ASICS GT-1000 LEATHER 2 — sturdy leather walking shoe
- ASICS WALKRIDE FF — lightweight all-rounder
The implication: Fit still decides the winner. A shoe that looks right on paper can still fail if the heel slips, the toe box squeezes, or the sole feels unsteady on wet pavements.
What are the best men’s shoes in Australia?
Australian retailers stock a wide range. Myer offers over 500 men’s shoes, and brands like Hoka and ASICS are widely available. For local sizing, the podiatrist checklist is the most reliable guide – not the brand name.
What this means: The most accessible starting points for Australian men are the ASICS walking category and Hoka testers at specialty stores.
What are the most comfortable men’s shoes?
Comfort comes down to five features podiatrists consistently recommend: a firm heel counter, heel height no greater than 2.5 cm, a broad base, a non-slip resilient sole, and a deep wide toe box. Shoes with removable insoles and EVA foam midsoles also score high.
The catch: Comfort is subjective – the shoe must pass the heel-lock and toe-room tests before the cushioning matters.
How to choose the right men’s shoe size?
The Australian Podiatry Association, the national podiatry body, says the heel should not slip and the foot should be supported without squeezing or hot spots. That means size is more than the number on the box.
- Check heel slip: your heel should stay locked in place.
- Check pressure: there should be no pinching across the widest part of the foot.
- Check for hot spots: friction points usually mean the shoe is too tight or the wrong width.
- Check the toe box: you should have room to wiggle your toes.
New Step Podiatry, a Canberra podiatry clinic, adds that the right walking shoe should have a firm heel counter, a broad base, a non-slip resilient sole, and a deep wide toe box.
Men’s shoes often come in medium width only, so older men with wider feet should ignore the number on the box and judge the shoe by how it holds the heel and wraps the midfoot.
The pattern: Size is a starting point, not a guarantee – always try shoes on at the end of the day when feet are slightly swollen (Watsonia Podiatry).
Which Hoka models come up most for walking?
Hoka is the most popular walking shoe brand in the research snapshot. The models that keep surfacing for Australian men are Bondi 8, Clifton 9 and Arahi 6.
- Hoka Bondi 8: built for plush, high-cushion walking.
- Hoka Clifton 9: a lighter daily walking shoe.
- Hoka Arahi 6: the stability model for feet that need support.
The right Hoka depends on how your foot moves. If you want extra support and a more traditional heel, the Arahi 6 is the safer starting point. If you want soft, squishy cushioning for long walks, the Bondi 8 tends to be the stronger choice.
A highly cushioned shoe does not replace podiatrist guidance. The Australian Podiatry Association still focuses on fit and support over brand hype.
Which Hoka is best for seniors?
For seniors, the Hoka Bondi 8 offers maximum cushioning for joint impact reduction, while the Arahi 6 provides stability for balance. The Clifton 9 is a lighter option for everyday walking. All three models should be tested with the senior-specific checklist: firm heel counter, low heel, broad base, non-slip sole, deep toe box.
What this means: The best Hoka for seniors depends on whether cushioning or stability is the priority – there is no universal winner.
Are ASICS walking shoes recommended by podiatrists?
ASICS Australia, the sport-shoe brand, says the GT-1000 LEATHER 2 and WALKRIDE FF are ideal for walking. The same product page says both models are recommended by Sports Medicine Australia and the Australian Physiotherapy Association.
- ASICS GT-1000 LEATHER 2: a structured leather walking shoe with a firmer heel.
- ASICS WALKRIDE FF: a more flexible, everyday walking shoe.
That endorsement makes ASICS one of the easiest walking-shoe brands to recommend for Australian men who want a widely available, podiatrist-aligned option.
What makes a walking shoe senior-friendly?
New Step Podiatry says seniors should look for five specific features in a walking shoe:
- Firm heel counter
- Heel height no greater than 2.5 cm
- Broad base
- Non-slip resilient sole
- Deep wide toe box
The Australian Podiatry Association’s advice repeats the same idea: if the heel slips or the shoe causes pressure points, it is not the right walking shoe for you, no matter which brand is on the label.
Where should Australian men start shopping?
Start with the checklist, then buy where returns and width fit are easy. ASICS Australia’s dedicated walking category is a useful first stop because it confirms the GT-1000 LEATHER 2 and WALKRIDE FF models with formal endorsements.
If you want Hoka, test the Bondi 8, Clifton 9 or Arahi 6 in person if possible, because cushioning feel is personal. If you want a leather shoe, the ASICS GT-1000 LEATHER 2 gives you a firmer, more structured ride.
What the experts say
The heel should not slip and the foot should feel supported, with no squeezing or hot spots.
Australian Podiatry Association
Look for a firm heel counter, a heel height no greater than 2.5 cm, a broad base, a non-slip resilient sole, and a deep wide toe box.
New Step Podiatry
The implication: Both sources agree that fit and structure matter more than brand or cushioning level.
The takeaway
Hoka and ASICS dominate the research, but shoes are not one-size-fits-all. Start with the ASICS GT-1000 LEATHER 2 or WALKRIDE FF if you want a podiatrist-endorsed walking shoe. Start with Hoka Bondi 8 or Clifton 9 if you want high cushioning. In every case, let the heel-lock test and the podiatrist checklist decide the final purchase.
Related reading: Nike Shoes Ireland: Men’s and Women’s Trainers & Runners
preventionaus.com.au, au.hoka.com, myfootdr.com.au, footcentregroup.com.au, asics.com, genesispodiatry.com.au
Frequently asked questions
Are Hoka shoes good for walking?
Yes. The Hoka Bondi 8, Clifton 9 and Arahi 6 are the models that show up most often in walking-shoe research. Hoka’s high-cushion design works well for many walkers, but the shoe still needs to pass the heel-slip and pressure-point tests.
What is the best ASICS walking shoe?
ASICS Australia names the GT-1000 LEATHER 2 and WALKRIDE FF as ideal walking shoes. Both are recommended by Sports Medicine Australia and the Australian Physiotherapy Association.
Do podiatrists recommend a specific brand?
No single brand works for everyone. Podiatrists look for a firm heel counter, low heel height, broad base, non-slip sole, and a deep wide toe box.
Can older men wear Hoka shoes?
Yes, if the fit is right. Older men should check the heel counter, sole width, and toe box space rather than choosing a shoe based only on cushioning.
How can I tell if a walking shoe is too big?
If the back of your heel slips when you walk, the shoe is too big or the heel counter is too loose. Australian Podiatry Association advice says the heel should not slip.
Should I choose a chunky-soled sneaker?
Only if the sole is stable and non-slip. Chunky sneakers are popular, but the sole still needs a broad base and the heel still needs to sit firmly in the shoe.
Alex Chen is Editor-in-Chief at Reef Brief, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.