7 APMA-Approved Sneakers for Every Occasion

Available sizes: 6-11, in half sizes and two widths

Walkers—the Klaw 528 sneaker was made for you. Each shoe has unparalleled arch support and a deep heel cup, which provides superior comfort without weighing you down. The lightweight status makes them the perfect shoes to wear if you’re on your feet all day. (Plus, as a writer who’s enamored with words, I appreciate that Klaw is walk spelled backwards.)

Dr. Lobkova, who is the biomechanical consultant for Klaw, says that these sneakers are great for walking and standing, but you should probably keep them off rockier terrains. “​​The 528 is best for everyday walking,” says Dr. Lobkova, “It’s all leather, and you don’t really want to run in all leather” because it isn’t very breathable, she adds. One downside is that they’re a bit polarizing for their chunky, borderline orthopedic look. Still, they’re comfy, which is all that really matters.

Read the full review here.

Colors: 4

Available sizes: 5-13, in half sizes and four widths

“Brooks is well known for running,” according to Dr. Pinker. “The Ghost is very durable and is well designed to support long-distance runners especially,” he adds. Weighing in at 9.1 ounces, the Brooks Ghost 15 is among the lightest running shoes. Don’t take that to mean that they’re not comfy, though; you absolutely still get the soft cushion that you need from a good running shoe.

Pros and ConsIn addition to having the APMA Seal of Acceptance, the Ghost 15 also won a Runner’s World shoe award in 2023. From an environmental perspective, this shoe’s upper is made of recycled material—like plastic bottles that would’ve otherwise gone to a landfill. Lastly, that there are four width sizes and more than 40 colorways, meaning there’s plenty to choose from to find your perfect fit (some colorways are limited edition, so make sure to check if the one you want is in stock.) It’s important to note, however, that these shoes are best for road running, so you’ll probably want to keep them off the trail, too

Read the full review here.

Colors: 45

Available sizes: 5-12, in half sizes and two widths

Both podiatrists and the APMA love New Balance sneakers for their style, support, and function. A number of models have the APMA seal of acceptance, but if you’re on the hunt for a long-distance running sneaker, check out the Fresh Foam x 880v13, which is a step up from the 880v12s that podiatrist, Dana Canuso, DPM, previously recommended to W+G.

At just 8.4 ounces, they’re featherlight, so they won’t weigh you down on those later miles. Even more, they’re incredibly supportive and a bit stiffer than other options to give you long-lasting stability. Bonus: They’re made with 3 percent bio-based content that’s better for the planet.

Colors: 3

Available sizes: 5-11, in half sizes

Podiatrists love Hoka shoes for walking, running, standing—just about everything. But if you’re planning on spending a lot of time on the trails and want an APMA-accepted companion, look no further than these bad boys.

I recently wore the Hoka Stinson 7 for some trail running in the Alps and I was quite impressed by the stability it offers. Since I’m a big fan of Hoka, I’m already used to the large soles, but these also come with a chunkier midsole for supreme shock absorption.

What was a little trickier to adjust to, though, was the texture of the soles themselves. Since the sneakers are meant for all terrain, including roads and trails, the bottom almost resembles cleats—which can be tricky to get used to. But once you do, you’ll feel like you’re able to run fast because the shoe has awesome traction.

Colors: 2

Available sizes: 5-12, in half sizes and two widths

Earlier this year, I actually wrote extensively about how much I love the Clifton 9. It’s such a lightweight sneaker (it only weighs 7.3 ounces for women!) that is somehow also the brand’s most cushioned shoe to date. It’s available in 11 colorways for women and 16 for men, so there are definitely tons of options here.

While I loved running in these shoes, they’re even better to walk in because they’re so lightweight. I also hit the gym in them a couple of times. I found that they worked just as well on the treadmill as they did on the road. They’re also good for arm and core workouts. (They aren’t, however, good to do leg-based workouts in or to go hiking in since they don’t have the right type of grip at the sole. ) That said, they’re some of most versatile APMA-accepted sneakers you can get your feet into, making them an excellent addition to any wardrobe.

Read the full review here.

Colors: 12

Available sizes: XS-L2

When you are weightlifting, you want a shoe that’s as flat as possible. This helps to provide the stability you need to keep the correct form, and it’s better for your feet since they get the same amount of support from heels to toes. For instance, if you were to wear shoes with a rocker bottom, your heels would get more support than your toes—and that’d make it difficult to keep your balance when doing, say, a squat or deadlift.

Enter, the Apollo Pro Trainer from Kinis, which is APMA-accepted for lifting. Obviously, the price tag is nothing to sneeze at. At almost $200, the Kinis Apollo Pro Trainer is the most expensive shoe on this list. However, the shoe is also machine washable and moisture-wicking, so it’s definitely worth the extra cash if you can afford it. The one downside of this shoe is the sizing. Instead of having sizes 5-12 and going by half sizes, the Apollo Pro Trainer runs from XS (sizes 5-6) to L2 (sizes 11.5-12). The website recommends sizing up if you’re between half sizes.

Colors: 2

Available sizes: 5.5-12, in half sizes and three widths

We picked the Altra Paradigm 6 as the best for width sizing because it offers what the brand calls its “Foot Shape” technology. This technology is “designed to address a range of unique fits, differing in width from heel to toe box” that’s meant to “give your feet more space.”

You can get the Altra Paradigm 6 in an original fit, which is the roomiest of all three options. You can also get it in a standard, which is essentially the medium size. Lastly, you may consider getting it in slim, which you might want to do if you have narrow feet. Just note, sizes run a little small, so make sure to keep that in mind when you’re adding a pair to your cart.

Colors: 6