Whether you’re on a vacation or just really like to get your steps in, sometimes having a regular sneaker doesn’t cut it. While shoes that lack in arch support and comfort have their time and place, every once and a while you need something that’s has more structure and stability to it.
Enter: walking shoes. Many shoes now are actively built and designed with sturdy, stable footbeds to fight conditions like overpronation (putting too much weight on the interior of your foot) and supination (too much weight on the outside of your foot). The goal here is to cradle your foot to keep it from rocking around too much, while still providing comfort. You don’t want to feel like your foot is in a vice grip, but you also don’t want it to feel like it’s swimming in your shoe, either. And while you may think walking shoes and imagine chunky sneakers of yesteryear, walking shoes have evolved. The incorporation of new tech makes these shoes look less like like moon boots and more like cool sneakers you’ll actually want to wear after you’re done prodding along. That new tech goes a long way to making the shoes lighter and more comfortable, without giving up the support that you may need.
So don’t feel like you’re going to have look like your dad–or maybe even your dad’s dad–in order to get the comfort you need. Here are 10 of our favorites to help up your step count.