Featherlight everyday comfort, with almost no support
Quick Answer: Skechers GO WALK 8 Review: The GO WALK 8 is a light, soft, easy-to-wear walking shoe for people who just want comfort for short walks, travel and everyday errands. The cushioning feels bouncy and forgiving, and the slip-in versions let you step straight in without bending down or tying a lace. The trade-off is that there is almost no arch support and the soft platform is not made for standing all day or for heavier walkers who need structure underfoot. If you want cushioned, no-fuss comfort at a friendly price, it delivers. Check latest price.
The Skechers GO WALK 8 is the newest version of the brand’s best-selling walking shoe, and it sticks to the formula that made the line so popular: keep it light, keep it soft, and keep it cheaper than most walking shoes.
For this version Skechers rebuilt the cushioning with what it calls Hyper Pillar Technology, which is a fancy way of saying there are little pillars of two different foams under your foot that squash at different rates. In plain terms, it adds a touch more spring and a slightly steadier feel than before, without making the shoe any heavier.
Think of it as the shoe you slip on for a trip to the shops, a day of travel or an easy neighborhood loop, rather than a supportive shoe for eight hours on a hard floor. It does a couple of things really well and a couple of things not at all, so it helps to know which kind of walker you are before you buy.
Specs
Here are the specifications for the Skechers GO WALK 8, in plain English:
| Best for | Short walks, travel, errands and easy everyday wear |
| Type | Light, soft walking shoe with no built-in support (a “neutral” shoe); lace and hands-free slip-in versions |
| Support | None to speak of: a soft, flat insole with no arch shaping |
| Cushioning | Soft and a little springy, thanks to the new dual-foam “Hyper Pillar” setup |
| Insole | A plush, breathable footbed that feels comfortable straight out of the box |
| Upper | Light, stretchy knit; hands-free versions have a firm heel you step into |
| Weight | Skechers does not publish it, but it is notably light on the foot (approximate) |
| Widths | Standard and wide on many colors |
| Price | About $75 at its early-2026 launch (approximate). Check latest price |
Pros
- Very light and flexible, so walking in it never feels like a chore
- Soft, comfortable cushioning that needs no breaking in
- Slip-in versions are genuinely easy to get on without bending down
- Friendly price next to most dedicated walking shoes
- Breathable knit is lovely in warm weather and for travel
Cons
- Almost no arch support, so it is a poor match for flat feet or plantar fasciitis
- The soft platform gives up under long days on your feet
- Skechers publishes no weight or other numbers, so it is hard to compare on paper
- Heavier walkers can squash the cushioning flat
What is new versus the GO WALK 7
The main change is the new cushioning. The old GO WALK 7 used one simple slab of soft foam, while the 8 adds those two-density pillars underfoot, so it feels a little bouncier at toe-off and a touch more planted, without gaining weight. Skechers also added a shock-absorbing foam to soften the moment your heel lands, cleaned up the knit upper and expanded the hands-free slip-in range. None of this turns the GO WALK into a supportive shoe, but it does feel a bit livelier than the very soft, sometimes vague feel of older versions. If you liked the 7, the 8 is a gentle upgrade rather than a whole new shoe.
Who should buy the Skechers GO WALK 8
This is the shoe for you if you have fairly ordinary feet and you just want something light and easy to slip on. If your walking is mostly errands, travel days, casual strolls and short bursts on your feet, it is a cheap, comfortable choice you can pull on and forget about. It is especially handy for anyone who finds most walking shoes too heavy or too stiff, and the hands-free versions are a real gift if bending down to tie laces is a struggle, whether that is from a bad back, a hip issue or simply not wanting to fuss. It also makes a great travel shoe: light in the bag, cool in a warm airport and comfy enough for a day of easy sightseeing.
Who should probably skip it
If you need real support, or you are on your feet for hours at a time (see shoes for standing all day), this is not your shoe. The GO WALK 8 is soft and unstructured on purpose, so it does little for flat feet, plantar fasciitis or rolling ankles, and its cushioning starts to feel vague and tired after a few hours on a hard floor. Heavier walkers, or anyone who wants a firmer, more planted shoe, will be happier elsewhere. If that sounds like you, here are three shoes that hold up far better when you need cushioning and support for the long haul:
- Brooks Ghost 18: Soft but stable cushioning that stays comfortable for long walks and standing all day. (check price | read review):
- Hoka Bondi 9: Deep, plush cushioning for people who want maximum softness under long miles. (check price | read review)
- ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28: Cushioned, supportive daily shoe that copes with far more time on your feet. (check price | read review)
How does the Skechers GO WALK 8 fit?
The GO WALK 8 is easy to fit for most people, with a relaxed, roomy feel and a soft upper that gives as your foot moves. The one thing to get right is size, especially in the hands-free versions, which rely on a firm heel to hold you in. Here is how it fits and feels on the foot.
Fit and sizing
It generally fits true to size with a relaxed, roomy front that most walkers find comfortable. The stretchy knit gives a little as your foot swells over the day, which is handy on travel days and in warm weather, and wide versions are worth grabbing if you have a broad foot or wear an insert. With the slip-in models, size accurately: go too big and the heel slips, which defeats the whole hands-free point.
Upper and step-in comfort
Step-in comfort is where this shoe shines. The soft footbed feels welcoming from the very first wear, with no break-in, and the light knit breathes well and rarely rubs. The flip side of all that softness is a gentle hold rather than a locked-down one, which is fine for easy walking but not for quick turns or brisk, purposeful miles.
How does the Skechers GO WALK 8 perform?
On the kind of easy walking it is built for, the GO WALK 8 feels light, soft and pleasant. Ask it to do more, though, and its limits show up quickly. Here is how it holds up underfoot, on the ground and over time.
Cushioning and feel
The new dual-foam setup gives a soft, slightly springy feel that is easy to enjoy on a short walk, with a touch more bounce than the old single-foam version. What you do not get is support. There is no arch shaping and nothing firm to hold your foot, so it stays soft the whole way through. For a lighter walker on easy ground that feels lovely; for a heavier walker or a long day it can feel like the foam simply gives way beneath you.
Grip and outsole
The bottom of the shoe is a thin layer of rubber with a shallow tread. On dry pavement, indoor floors and packed paths it grips fine for casual walking. It is not made for wet trails, loose gravel or slick, greasy floors, where that shallow, soft sole gives up its footing. Treat it as a pavement-and-sidewalk shoe and it does the job.
Durability
This is the usual Skechers trade-off. The light knit and soft foam keep the shoe cheap and comfortable, but neither lasts like a leather walking shoe, so expect the sole and cushioning to soften and wear sooner if you walk in them every day. As a light-use travel and errands shoe they should be fine for a season or two; as an everyday workhorse they will wear out faster than a sturdier pair.
Is the Skechers GO WALK 8 good for walking?
For the right kind of walking, yes. This is one of the friendliest shoes around for short-to-moderate walks, travel days and easy everyday wear, where its light weight, soft cushioning and easy slip-in entry make it a pleasure to put on. Where it struggles is long, all-day or high-mileage walking. Because it gives you no arch support and a soft, low-guidance platform, anyone who needs stability, stands for long shifts or covers serious distance will feel it in their feet and legs by the end of the day. Match it to easy, casual walking and it is great value; ask it to be your supportive daily workhorse and it will let you down.
Skechers GO WALK 8 versus the GO WALK 7
The choice comes down to price and feel. The 8 has the newer cushioning, so it feels a little bouncier and steadier, and it has the freshest colors and slip-in styles. The older 7 is softer and simpler underfoot, and it is usually on sale now that it is a year old. Neither one adds real support, so if you find the 7 discounted and you like a plush, simple feel, it is a fine way to save a few dollars. Go for the 8 if you want the small upgrade or the latest hands-free styles.
Skechers GO WALK 8 alternatives
If you like the light, easy Skechers feel but wish your arch was supported, the natural step up is the Skechers Arch Fit 2.0 (check price | read review). It keeps the cheap, comfortable Skechers character but adds a shaped, podiatrist-designed footbed, which makes it far kinder to flat feet and tired arches.
For real all-day comfort and long-term durability, the Brooks Addiction Walker 2 (check price | read review) is a different class of shoe. It is heavier and pricier, but its leather build, genuine support and slip-resistant sole make it the one to pick for working on your feet or logging daily miles.
And if you need width and firm support, the New Balance 928v3 (check price) comes in very wide fits and uses a firm support system to steady the foot, which is exactly what the soft, narrow-feeling GO WALK cannot do.
Price and value
At around $75 the GO WALK 8 is one of the better deals in casual walking shoes. You are not paying for support or long-term durability, but you are getting a light, comfortable, easy shoe from a brand that has sold this formula for years. For a travel-and-errands shoe that is easy money, and the slip-in convenience only adds to the value. Just buy it for what it is: a comfortable everyday shoe, not a supportive daily workhorse, and its value holds up as long as you use it for the easy walking it was made for.
Final verdict
Best for: easy-going walkers who want a light, soft, cheap shoe for short walks, travel and errands.
Avoid if: you need arch support, stand all day, cover long distances, or want a shoe that lasts for years.
Fit: true to size with a roomy front; wide versions available; size the slip-ins carefully so the heel stays put.
Verdict: a light, comfy, wallet-friendly walker that is a joy for easy days and out of its depth the moment things get long or demanding.
Frequently Asked Questions for the Skechers GO WALK 8
Not really. It is a soft, neutral shoe with no built-in arch support, so most people with plantar fasciitis will feel better in the Skechers Arch Fit 2.0 or a structured walker like the Brooks Addiction Walker 2.
No. It uses a soft, flat insole with no arch shaping. If you want support in a Skechers walking shoe, look at the Arch Fit line instead.
It is not the best choice. The soft, unstructured cushioning feels vague after a few hours on a hard floor, so a firmer, more supportive shoe is better for long shifts.
Yes, as long as you buy the right size. The hands-free models hold your foot with a firm heel, so a size that is too big will let the heel slip and undo the benefit.
Generally yes, with a roomy front. Wide versions are available on many colors for broader feet or for people who use an insert.
