In this article, I will be covering the best cheap walking shoes. Important to note is that different people have different needs. Some of you might be looking for a casual looking shoe for shorter walks, while others might be looking for a shoe that can be used on longer hiking trips. No worries, I will provide a solution for everybody.
As you can see in the image, I have done my fair share of testing cheap walking shoes.
In order to make things as easy as possible, I created a quick overview table.
| Name | Type | Breathability | Grip | Price | Durability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EYUSHIJIA hiking shoe
Dirt cheap hiking shoe |
Hiking shoe | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Columbia Newton Ridge Plus
Best cheap hiking boot |
Hiking boot | 3/5 | 4.5/5 | 3/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Tarelo hiking boots
Best for cold weather |
Hiking boot | 2.5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Merrell Moab 2 Vent
Best hiking shoe |
Hiking shoe | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Saucony Cohesion
Best for various outdoors activities |
Running shoe | 4/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Astero casual shoes
Solid sneaker, good for walking |
Sneaker | 3/5 | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Adidas Grand Court Sneaker
Solid sneaker, good for walking |
Sneaker | 3/5 | 3.5/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 |
List of best cheap walking shoes
EYUSHIJIA hiking shoes
These are the shoes to get if you are looking to do some hiking, but you want to keep things as cheap as possible.
These hiking shoes are amazing when it comes to value for money! Definitely one of the best extremely cheap hiking shoes at this moment.
The shoe is made from a mixture of leather and textile and comes with a rubber sole. Additionally, it has a rubber toe cap for additional protection.
The shoe is remarkably breathable and very comfortable. Also, for the price, they are pretty durable, but not very durable. The grip isn’t bad -especially considering the price- but it could be better, especially for dangerous mountain hikes I would consider a more expensive alternative.
Also note that, even though these shoes are claimed to be waterproof, they are not. These shoes might repel some rain, but don’t expect your feet to stay dry once submerged in water – water will seep in at the tongue of the shoe.
So, should you buy these shoes? Well, if you are looking for a dirt cheap shoe, this is the one to get. However, if you are planning on going on a lot of hiking trips and often on difficult terrain, a slightly more expensive shoe (like the Columbia Newton Ridge) is still recommended. This shoe is decent overall and is great considering the price, but it still can’t compete with the overall quality of certain other walking/hiking shoes on this list. So depending on your budget and your needs, the Newton Ridge is a better alternative.
Pros:
- Dirt cheap
- Best value for money
Cons:
- Not waterproof
- Mediocre overall quality
Even though amazon lists this shoe as a man’s hiking shoe, it has been tried and approved by many women who said that these shoes fit like a glove. So i’m going to call these shoes unisex.
Men & Women: EYUSHIJIA hiking shoes
Columbia newton ridge plus
The Columbia newton ridge plus 2 is the cheap walking shoe to get if you intend to do some more serious
You get a quality hiking boot for a very acceptable price.
These shoes are regular leather hiking boots. They are completely waterproof, but not very durable. Just like most other regular leather hiking boots.
The main advantage of the Columbia newton ridge plus 2 is obviously the price, but there are plenty of other pros.
Pros:
- Lighter than most alternatives
- Completely waterproof
- Shorter breaking-in period than most alternatives
- Good arch support
Cons:
- Not made for people with wide feet
- Less durable than most alternatives
These shoes are available for both men and women and you can find them on amazon.
Men: Columbia Men’s Newton Ridge Plus
Women: Columbia Women’s Newton Ridge Plus
Tarelo hiking boots
Another pair of cheap walking shoes. The Tarelo’s are made for hiking in colder environments without breaking the bank.
The main benefit here is that the boot is perfect for cold weather and snowy conditions. This is not something that you can easily find when you are on a tight budget. Especially because these are one of the cheaper options on the list.
The only complaints are about damages after usage (which can be expected) and that the boot does look and feel cheaper in real life than on photo. All in all, people have been pleased with this shoe. Especially when you keep the price in the back of your mind.
These are the ones to get if you are looking for a dirt cheap winter option. However, if you intend to go hiking really often and in various conditions, I would still recommend the Columbia Newton Ridge Plus.
Pros:
- Waterproof
- Very warm
- Good quality
- Comfortable
Cons:
- Mediocre durability
- Cheap looking
These shoes are available for both men and women on amazon:
Men: Tarelo men’s hiking boots
Women: Tarelo women’s hiking boots
Merrell Moab 2 Vent Hiking Shoe
Another great cheap walking shoe would be the Merrel Moab 2. It’s a very reliable brand and model. They might be slightly more expensive than some other options on the list, but they are high quality and very durable.
Keep in mind that spending a bit more money on your initial purchase might end up being the more budget-friendly decision in the end (if your shoes outlast the cheaper alternatives).
The Merrell Moabs 2 Vent’s are not waterproof, but they make up for it in breathability. Additionally, if these boots do get soaked, they will dry a lot faster than a shoe like the Columbia Newton Ridge Plus.
Note that this shoe also has a waterproof version, if you would be interested in that.
These shoes offer everything that you would expect from a good hiking shoe. Even on a regular list of walking shoes (not “cheap walking shoes”) this shoe would probably be listed.
Pros:
- Comfortable shoes
- Good overall quality
- Also for people with wide feet
Cons:
- Not always a perfect fit, which can lead to heel slippage
These shoes are available for both men and women on amazon:
Men: Merrell Moab Men’s 2 Vent Hiking Shoe
Women: Merrell Moab Women’s 2 Vent Hiking Shoe
Saucony cohesion
The Saucony Cohesion is remarkable when it comes to value for money. Even though it’s primarily a running shoe, it is also very suitable for walking. Whether you just want to walk to the nearby store or you want to go on a hiking trip, the Cohesion’s make a good option.
It can also be used as a sport shoe or all round outdoor shoe.
Note that prices can vary a lot based on the size and color.
They are very comfortable, breathable, durable, have good grip and not very expensive.
Typical for a shoe like this is that they usually don’t last as long as a real hiking boot. Expect to see some quality decrease in the midsole after 75-100 miles.
Pros:
- Comfortable shoes
- Good overall quality
- Breathable
Cons:
- Not as durable as some alternatives
These shoes are available for both men and women on amazon:
Women: Saucony Cohesion for women
Astero casual shoes (Men)
If you are looking for a cheap walking shoe with a more casual look, the Astero casual shoes might be the perfect fit for you.
They are not suitable for longer hiking trips in the mountains or forests. However, they are affordable casual shoes that are good for walking.
There is a wide selection of colors to choose from.
These shoes have a good grip and are pretty lightweight for a casual shoe. This is why it’s currently my favorite walking shoe with a casual look.
They are also considered comfortable as long as you use them for what they were designed and don’t use them for serious hiking trips.
Pros:
- Casual look
- Good grip
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Not optimized for hiking
- Lacks support
These shoes are available on amazon, but only for men: Astero casual shoes
Adidas Grand Court Sneaker
Another casual looking shoe that is actually great for walking -and are affordable- would be the adidas grand court sneakers.
As usual, the price depends a bit on the size, color and timing.
These shoes are very popular and are known to be durable and solid shoes.
These sneakers are great for walking because they have good grip, are high quality and pretty comfortable.
That said, it’s not a shoe that’s made for the trail, so for the more serious hiking trips, there are other options on this list that would be more suitable. However, for the occasional shorter hikes, the adidas can still be used.
Pros:
- Casual look
- Good grip
Cons:
- Not optimized for hiking
- Lacks support
Men: adidas Men’s Grand Court Sneaker
Women: adidas Women’s Grand Court Sneaker
What’s important in a walking shoe
Weight – The lighter the shoe, the less energy you need to move your feet. Which results in a better experience while walking. However, this only really becomes a factor when you are walking medium to long distances.
Wateproofness – Being waterproof can be a requirement for some people. It does usually come at a cost of being less breathable and heavier.
Breathability – More important than you might think. When walking in shoes with poor breathability your feet will soon begin to sweat. This will result in wet feet and socks, which makes them vulnerable for blisters. On top of that, it’s simply not a good feelinf.
Grip – Obviously, grip is important. However, depending on what type of terrain you will be walking, this becomes a bigger or smaller factor.
Conclusion – best cheap walking shoes
I tried to provide an option for everybody. Whether you are looking for a hiking shoe, a casual shoe that is good for walking or an all round outdoors shoe, you should be able to find a shoe that suits your needs.
If you are looking for even more cheap options, I have written articles about the best cheap hiking shoes and the best cheap trail running shoes, which might be interesting for you as well.