Best Gear & Accessories For Walking 2024

A simple walk can have a powerful effect on your day, and the health benefits of walking are well known.

Whether you’re looking to start walking for exercise or enjoy a daily walk for the mental health benefits, walking can make our lives better. That’s why we’ve compiled the best gear to make your walks better.

The right gear will keep you comfortable, injury-free, and seriously upgrade your evening strolls, dog walks and local hikes. Just like how running shoes are also some of the best walking shoes, a lot of the best gear for running is also perfect to use for walks.

From waist packs that keep your hands free to insoles for arch support, check out our list of the best accessories for walking:

• Superfeet Insoles
• Aftershokz OpenMove Headphones
• Garmin Forerunner 55
• Nathan TrailMix Insulated Hydration Belt
• Nathan Waistpack + Dog Leash - K9 Series
• Amphipod Xinglet Optic Beam Rechargeable Vest
• Nathan Zephyr Trail 200 R Hand Torch LED Light
• Sprints Hat
• Balega Hidden Comfort Socks
• Brooks Canopy Jacket

[This is part of our Best Running Accessories Guide 2024. To put an extra pep in your step on your next walk, check out the best walking shoes for men and best walking shoes for women.]

If you need more arch support, are nursing a plantar fasciitis injury or just want a more comfortable fit, Superfeet Insoles are the perfect addition to throw into your walking shoes. They’re designed to give your feet natural support by cradling your heels and hugging your arches to enhance the way your feet move. When you’re taking long walks on pavement or asphalt, Superfeet’s heavy-duty shock absorption and legendary support make them perfect for comfort and pain relief.

If you need help choosing between styles, check out our guide for deciding which Superfeet insole is best for you or visit your local Fleet Feet for a personalized fitting.

These delightful open-ear headphones will seriously upgrade your walks. Aftershokz OpenMove Headphones let you hear your surroundings while you listen to your favorite playlist, podcast or audiobook. They use bone conduction technology to deliver music through your cheekbones, ensuring your ears remain completely open to hear ambient sounds.

They’re perfect for when you want to enjoy the sounds of nature—or hear approaching cars and other pedestrians—around you while your favorite tunes play. Plus, you can try to incorporate walking meetings into your day and use these Bluetooth headphones for phone calls.

Love tracking your daily steps or want to know how many miles your daily walks take you? The Garmin Forerunner 55 is a simple, easy-to-navigate GPS watch that’s smartphone compatible and can be set up in minutes. It tracks different health metrics such as heart rate, distance and elevation, and it comes with a wide range of preloaded sports apps to help you track runs, walks, hikes, yoga, pilates and more. So whether you’re a dedicated walker or just beginning the run-walk method, the Forerunner 55 is a great fitness watch for walking and running.

The TrailMix Insulated Hydration Belt lets you carry your gear and water comfortably on your waist so you can keep your hands free during your walk. It contains two 10oz insulated water bottles that attach to each side to give you cold water, even during hot summer days. It’s also fully adjustable and comes with a large zippered pocket in the front that can hold most phones, keys, an inhaler or other valuables.

If you take daily walks with your furry friend, the Nathan K9 Series Waistpack has storage for treats, poop bags or any other essentials. Plus, it allows you to move without having to hold on to your dog’s leash. A guideline on the front of the pack lets you clip a leash to your waist and slides side-to-side as your dog wanders. It also comes with handles at both ends, giving you options for controlling your pup if they start to pull.

Don’t let the dark keep you from walking safely. This lightweight and comfortable safety vest features 360 degrees of LED illumination and reflectivity, so drivers and other road users can see you when the sun goes down. It’s USB rechargeable and has up to five hours of battery life, so you’ll stay bright even on your longest walks.

This convenient flashlight will light the way and let you scan the woods for any critters that might be up ahead. It fits ergonomically in your palm and straps onto your hand so you can swing your arms naturally while you walk. It shines out 200 lumens of crisp, clear Run-Right Light® and even comes with a 120-decibel fold-out safety whistle to alert other walkers or animals of your presence.

Everybody needs a go-to hat for walks and runs. It’s a great way to keep the sun or rain off your face and out of your eyes. Sprints Hats come in fun designs and styles that get you excited to go out for your daily walk. Like many of the best hats for running and walking, Sprints are made from a lightweight polyester fabric that wicks away moisture, while mesh vents on top keep things cool and breezy.

A great pair of socks should fit well and quickly wick moisture away. They will make a huge difference when it comes to keeping you comfortable and preventing blisters during walks. Balega’s Hidden Comfort Socks use premium, moisture-wicking fibers to keep your feet cool and dry. They feel soft and cozy every time you slip them on and add some extra cushion and comfort to your shoes.

We are at the mercy of the elements when we go on walks, but that doesn’t mean we have to stay inside. The Brooks Canopy Jacket’s unique style and functionality give you a reason to walk in the rain. Its breathable water and wind-resistant membrane and zippered pockets will keep you and your essentials dry.

How We Picked the Best Gear & Accessories for Walking

With more than 45 years of experience, Fleet Feet is the expert in running and walking. What makes the ideal accessory for a walker comes down to the personal experience, goals, preferences and style of that person. At Fleet Feet, we have been helping runners and walkers pick out the right gear for decades and want to pass that knowledge on to you.

We use a combination of real-life use, quality of materials, seasonal trends and our own top-seller lists to pick out the best walking gear. With all that in mind, we picked gear that lived up to our personal (and professional) expectations and we think they will live up to yours as well.

Standing Behind Our Picks

We picked the best gear for walking based on what we think will work for the most people in the most situations. If you buy any gear from us and you don’t love the way it looks, fits or performs, bring them back within 60 days for a full refund.

Plus, we offer free shipping on all orders over $99 on fleetfeet.com, and we’ll match a lower price from a qualifying retailer. That’s our Happy Fit Guarantee.