My Honest Take on the Orthotic Walking Shoe

Whenever I’m trying walking shoes, I usually gravitate toward pairs with soft, cloud-like cushioning (like my tried-and-true Hokas!). But, as it turns out, softer doesn’t always mean more comfortable. The shoes that made me realize this? The Vionic 23Walk 2.0.

These best-selling walking shoes have a firm, orthotic footbed and contoured arch support, designed to help keep your feet properly aligned—a very different feel from the plush cushioning I normally prefer in my sneakers. But, like many of my favorite pairs, the Vionic shoes also have the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) for promoting good foot health. So I wondered: Would these sneakers actually be comfortable enough to earn a permanent spot in my walking shoe rotation?

I decided to test them out myself, wearing them for two months while walking around in New York City—and despite being skeptical of the firm feel at first, these sneakers actually ended up surprising me. Ahead, read my full review of the Vionic 23Walk 2.0 (and be sure to check out my comparison review of Vionic vs. Skechers afterwards, too).

Cons

• Firm, dense cushioning and arch support may require breaking in
• Toe box is on the narrow side

Sizes	5-13
Widths	Medium, Wide
Colors	6 options

I opted for the Vionic 23Walk 2.0 shoes in size 7 and the “White Leather” colorway. I tested these sneakers for a total period of about two months, wearing them on and off while walking around New York City streets, commuting on the subway, strolling through parks, running errands, and other outings. While walking in them, I specifically evaluated the shoes’ fit, cushioning, arch support, stability, and overall comfort.

I found the Vionic sneakers to fit fairly true to size in my regular shoe size (size 7, Medium width). However, I would say that the toe box is more on the narrow side. I personally didn’t experience any discomfort with my medium-width feet, but I do think those with broader feet may find the toe box a little cramped and would likely want to opt for the wide sizes of this shoe.

In terms of material, these sneakers are made with a leather upper (though they also come in options with suede uppers), combined with a breathable, moisture-wicking, polyester mesh liner that’s backed by PU foam to help reduce friction against skin. Overall, the leather construction gave these shoes a more structured fit; they didn’t feel as stretchy or flexible as the typical knit or mesh sneakers I wear, but rather more secure and supportive. Surprisingly, the leather also didn’t feel uncomfortable or hot on my feet either, never rubbing or chafing on my feet—and never making my feet feel sweaty or overheated, even in the hot, humid summer weather—thanks to the breathable, moisture-wicking mesh liner in the interior.

The very first thing I noticed when I tried the Vionic 23Walk 2.0 sneakers for the first time was the firm, dense feel and contoured arch support of the orthotic footbed, which felt very different from the soft, plush feel of the walking and running shoes I usually test and wear. These shoes are designed with Vionic’s Vio Motion technology, which features podiatrist-approved contoured arch support, as well as supportive and firm cushioning, a deep heel cup for stability, and forefoot flexibility to allow a natural range of motion. The brand describes the cushioning as “firm,” “minimal,” and “precisely placed,” which I found to be pretty accurate.

As someone who’s used to more neutral sneakers with softer cushioning, I initially didn’t love the firm, dense feel of these Vionic sneakers. I have normal to low arches and don’t usually rely on orthotic arch support in my shoes, so the arches in these shoes felt a bit too pronounced and aggressive for me at first. However, the brand states that the shoes may require a break-in period, recommending that you wear them “for just a few hours for the first days to allow your feet to adjust to the new level of orthotic comfort and support”—and noting that you’ll find the shoes “completely comfortable and supportive” within one to two weeks.

To my surprise, I actually did find the sneakers to become more and more comfortable the more I wore them, as the footbed started to feel slightly softer and more broken in. In fact, there was one day where I racked up almost 14,000 steps while wearing these shoes, and my feet stayed comfortable the entire time, with no pain or fatigue at the end of the day. I ended up appreciating the contoured arch support in these shoes, as they felt properly supportive under my arches during long miles of walking.

The Vionic 23Walk 2.0 boasts plenty of strong stability and support features with its signature Vio Motion technology. Its structured, contoured arch support helps guide the foot into the proper alignment with each step, while the deep heel cup also helps stabilize the back of your foot to keep the heel aligned while you’re walking. This design helps correct and reduce overpronation (inward rolling of the ankle when you’re walking or running), which in turn helps reduce strain on your knees, hips, and lower back.

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While I don’t overpronate myself, I definitely noticed how stable and secure these sneakers felt, with a very planted and controlled feel underfoot while walking. In addition to my heel feeling securely cradled by the deep heel cup, my feet always felt locked into the shoes in every stride, from heel strike through toe-off, without any shifting around or side-to-side wobbling. Additionally, the firm, strategically placed cushioning also helped make the shoes feel more grounded and steady—rather than feeling like my feet were sinking into an overly soft or squishy midsole—while the durable rubber outsole also delivered dependable traction on different surfaces.

Even with its strong stability features, though, I appreciated that these sneakers didn’t feel too rigid or stiff. They still felt flexible enough through the forefoot to keep my strides still feeling natural and smooth while walking.

Overall, the Vionic 23Walk 2.0 sneakers were a pleasant surprise for me. I typically prefer softer, more neutral sneakers, so the firm footbed and contoured arch support of these shoes definitely took some getting used to. However, once I broke them in, I was surprised at just how comfortable these shoes became—they felt especially supportive for my arches, as well as stable and controlled, during longer walks and long hours of standing. I even walked nearly 14,000 steps one day wearing them without experiencing any foot pain or fatigue during or afterwards.

All in all, I’d say these orthotic sneakers are a great choice for those who prefer a firm, structured feel underfoot, are looking for stability, or want contoured arch support in a comfortable, supportive walking shoe—especially for those with flat feet or those who tend to overpronate. While I don’t have flat feet or overpronate myself, I was still able to appreciate how secure and controlled my feet felt with each step in these shoes, thanks to the firm, structured footbed, deep heel cup, and pronounced arch support designed to help support proper alignment.

That being said, these sneakers probably aren’t for you if you’re looking for a softer, cloud-like feel underfoot, or don’t like the feel of pronounced arch support. The firm cushioning and contoured arch took some getting used to for me, so I’d also recommend giving yourself some time to break these shoes in. But once you do, the Vionic 23Walk 2.0 may surprise you, too—and who knows, it may even earn a permanent spot in your walking shoe rotation!

Shop the Vionic 23Walk 2.0 Now