I test walking shoes every day to keep Fit&Well's guide to the best walking shoes up to date. When I don't have a new pair on my to-review list, I pull on one of two standout pairs for my daily walks. The Skechers Max Cushioning Elite 2.0 Speed Play is one of those pairs.
It offers plenty of stacking, bounce and good energy return—all things I look for in a quality walking shoe. It doesn’t have quite the same level of technology as some of the others I’ve tested and loved, like the Brooks Glycerin Max, but when you consider that they retail for half the price, they definitely hold their own. Also, bear in mind that shoes like the Glycerin are designed for road running: you might find that you don't need such a heavily engineered shoe if you work on your feet all day and just want to be comfy.
I debated listing this as my choice for the best walking shoe on a budget, because it falls into the same price range as my current choice for best budget shoe, the Columbia Konos TRS. Both shoes retail for around $100, and both are frequently discounted by between $10 and $30.
However, I decided to keep this shoe as the best from Skechers. Of the three Skechers shoes I've tested to date, it's the clear winner by a (very comfortable) mile.
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