10 Best Walking Shoes for Women in 2026

The best walking shoes for women fit your foot shape, cushion your steps, and grip smooth or wet ground. Below are 10 real, currently sold models, each checked on the brand's own product page for materials and build. No invented prices or star ratings. If a fact isn't confirmed, we left it out.

Women's feet aren't scaled-down men's feet. They tend to have a narrower heel and a different arch shape. Pressure points under the ball of the foot differ too. Brands like Ryka build entire lasts around this, and it shows in the fit. A shoe built for a woman's foot often feels better on a long walking day, even if the specs look similar on paper.

If you're walking European cities, this fit issue gets bigger. You're walking cobblestones, worn marble stairs, and long flat museum floors. That's often eight or more hours a day, with a day pack on your back. Small fit problems turn into big blisters by day three of a trip.

#1. Brooks Ghost 18: best overall cushioning

Brooks Ghost 18 (Women's)

Our verdict:

Best overall cushioning

Best for travelers who stand and walk for most of the day and want a soft, well-cushioned ride.

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Nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 foam midsole
Ortholite X-60 sockliner for step-in comfort
Engineered mesh upper for breathability
RoadTack rubber outsole with recycled silica

Keep in mind: it takes up more space in a packed bag than a lower-profile shoe.

Product details checked September 2026

The Ghost 18 is Brooks's signature everyday cushioned shoe. The midsole uses a nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 foam. That's a lighter, more responsive cushioning compound. It pairs with a breathable engineered mesh upper and an Ortholite X-60 sockliner for step-in comfort.

The tradeoff with this much cushioning is bulk. A taller stack height can also feel slightly less planted on rounded, uneven cobblestone than a shoe that sits closer to the ground. If your trip is mostly flat city streets and museum floors, that's a non-issue.

The upper uses a triple jacquard engineered mesh and a flat knit tongue, which breathe well on a warm day. The outsole is Brooks's RoadTack rubber, made with recycled silica for grip on paved streets. There is also 3M reflective trim on the heel, which helps on an evening walk back from dinner.

Fit and sizing: the Ghost runs close to true size for most people. It is a neutral shoe, with no built-in correction for a foot that rolls inward. If you know you overpronate, look at the Vionic or New Balance picks instead.

#2. Hoka Clifton 9: best lightweight cushioned option

Hoka Clifton 9 (Women's)

Our verdict:

Best lightweight cushioned option

Best for travelers who want soft cushioning but plan to also do some faster walking.

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7.30 oz with a 5mm heel-to-toe drop
29mm heel stack and 24mm forefoot stack
Engineered knit upper for breathability
Durabrasion rubber outsole in high-wear zones

Keep in mind: it gives up some raw cushion compared to the Ghost 18 for a lighter, more nimble feel.

Product details checked October 2026

If the Ghost 18 feels like too much shoe, the Clifton 9 trims things down. It weighs only 7.30 oz, with a 29mm heel stack and 24mm forefoot stack for a 5mm drop. The engineered knit upper is breathable, and HOKA's own Durabrasion rubber outsole handles the high-wear zones.

Fit and sizing: most people take their usual size. The upper stretches a little with wear, so a snug fit on day one is fine. A 5mm drop feels close to flat, which some walkers like on long days.

On a Europe trip: a light shoe that packs easily as a second pair, or works as your main pair on a hot summer trip. The rubber covers only the high-wear zones, so expect the exposed foam to wear faster on rough stone than a full rubber sole.

#3. Vionic Walk Max Skyline: best built-in arch support

Vionic Walk Max Skyline (Women's)

Our verdict:

Best built-in arch support

Best for travelers with flat feet or plantar fasciitis who need arch support without a bulky orthotic.

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Mixed leather, suede and mesh upper
VIO MOTION footbed with contoured arch support
Block heel with a side zip
1.75-inch heel height

Keep in mind: the support cannot be customized further if you have a specific orthotic prescription.

Product details checked September 2026

Vionic makes shoes with orthotic-level support already built in, so you skip the insert entirely. The Walk Max Skyline uses a nitrogen-infused midsole paired with the VIO MOTION footbed for contoured arch support. It also has a block heel with a side zip for easy on and off, and it carries the APMA Seal of Acceptance.

The listing we link mixes leather and suede with mesh, on a 1.75-inch heel. The footbed adds a deep heel cup and shock-absorbing cushioning. That heel cup keeps the heel steady on uneven ground.

Fit and sizing: the arch support is firm at first. Wear it for short walks at home for a week before a full day out. The side zip makes it fast to get on and off at airport security.

#4. New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14: best built-in stability support

New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14 (Women's)

Our verdict:

Best built-in stability support

Best for travelers who want real arch and underfoot support in a shoe that still reads as an everyday sneaker.

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Fresh Foam X midsole cushioning
Soft, breathable engineered upper

Keep in mind: it's less structured through the ankle than a Dansko or Rockport-style shoe.

Product details checked September 2026

The Fresh Foam X 1080v14 uses New Balance's plush Fresh Foam X midsole cushioning, built with a soft, breathable engineered upper. Compared to the Ghost 18, it leans a touch firmer through the arch and midfoot while still keeping a well-cushioned overall ride.

New Balance says the Fresh Foam X midsole is built for smooth transitions from landing to push-off. In practice, that means a rolling feel that suits long, steady walking days more than quick stops and starts.

Fit and sizing: New Balance sells many of its shoes in more than one width. Check which widths are offered for the exact color you want. Try it with the socks you will travel in.

On a Europe trip: a strong main shoe for long city days on pavement, such as a full day in Vienna or Berlin. It looks like an everyday sneaker, so it suits casual outfits well.

#5. Ryka Devotion Plus 4: best fit built for a woman's foot

Ryka Devotion Plus 4 (Women's)

Our verdict:

Best fit built for a woman's foot

Best for travelers whose feet slide or rub in unisex-fit shoes and need a true women's-specific shape.

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RE-ZORB cushioning for shock absorption
Built on a woman's-specific last with a narrower heel
Breathable engineered mesh with recycled linings
Eight-piece rubber outsole for traction

Keep in mind: its 11mm drop puts slightly more weight onto the forefoot with each step.

Product details checked September 2026

Ryka designs every shoe around a woman's foot shape from the start, not a resized men's last. The Devotion Plus 4 has a narrower heel and roomier toe box. It uses RE-ZORB cushioning for shock absorption, plus an eight-piece rubber outsole for grip on uneven ground.

Ryka built this model for fitness walking. The mesh upper has partly recycled linings, and the tongue and collar are lined with soft Lycra and a built-in cushion. The narrower heel is the key detail. It stops the heel from slipping, which is one of the most common causes of blisters on long walks.

On a Europe trip: the pick for women whose heels slide in unisex shoes. It is light and breathable, which suits warm-weather trips. The sporty look suits daytime more than dinner.

#6. Merrell Siren 4 GORE-TEX: best waterproof grip

Merrell Siren 4 GORE-TEX (Women's)

Our verdict:

Best waterproof grip

Best for travelers who want one shoe that handles rain and cobblestones as well as museum floors.

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GORE-TEX waterproof, breathable membrane
Recycled laces, webbing and mesh lining
Abrasion-resistant rubber toe cap
Vibram TC5+ outsole for grip

Keep in mind: it weighs more than the Brooks and New Balance picks above.

Product details checked September 2026

The Siren 4 GORE-TEX earns its spot with a Vibram TC5+ outsole, a rubber compound made specifically for Merrell for grip on wet and mixed terrain. A GORE-TEX waterproof lining keeps your feet dry in a sudden shower, and a FloatPro foam midsole handles the cushioning.

Merrell adds a rock plate under the foot, a bellows tongue that keeps grit out and a rubber toe cap. The laces and webbing are recycled, and so is the mesh lining. Merrell describes the TC5+ sole as built for everything from mountain paths to city roads.

Fit and sizing: hiking-style shoes often fit a little snug at the toes. Try it with thicker walking socks if that is what you will wear. It needs less break-in than a leather boot, but still give it a few walks.

On a Europe trip: the one-shoe answer for a rainy trip that mixes towns and trails, such as the Cinque Terre paths or the Scottish Highlands.

#7. Merrell Moab 3 Waterproof: best sturdier all-terrain pick

Merrell Moab 3 Waterproof (Women's)

Our verdict:

Best sturdier all-terrain pick

Best for travelers who want more structure and protection underfoot than a sneaker-style shoe gives.

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Waterproof membrane seals out water
Pigskin leather and mesh upper
Kinetic Fit removable contoured insole
Vibram TC5+ rubber outsole

Keep in mind: it runs heavier and bulkier in your bag than any other pick on this page except the Dansko.

Product details checked September 2026

The Moab 3 Waterproof steps up the protection level from the Siren. It pairs a waterproof membrane with pigskin leather and mesh on the upper. It uses the same Vibram TC5+ outsole, and it's also available in a wide-width fit.

It has a bellows tongue, a protective toe cap and a recycled mesh lining. Merrell's Kinetic Fit ADVANCED insole comes out, so you can swap in an orthotic.

Fit and sizing: the Moab is roomy for a hiking shoe, which suits feet that swell. The wide option helps if standard hiking shoes pinch. Plan on a week of walks at home before the trip.

On a Europe trip: best for trips with real hiking days or long wet spells. It is too bulky to pack as a second pair, so wear it on travel days.

#8. ECCO Soft 7: best leather option for dressier days

ECCO Soft 7 Sneaker (Women's)

Our verdict:

Best leather option for dressier days

Best for travelers who want a shoe that works for dinner as well as a day of sightseeing.

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Full-grain and nubuck leather upper
Two-component PU/TPU outsole for flexibility
Removable leather inlay sole adds width room
Soft textile lining inside

Keep in mind: it doesn't offer the outdoor-grade traction of the Merrell picks.

Product details checked September 2026

Not every travel day calls for an athletic-looking shoe. The ECCO Soft 7 uses full-grain and nubuck leather with ECCO's FLUIDFORM construction. That construction shapes the sole to the foot for a soft, anatomical feel. The removable inlay sole gives a bit of extra width room if your feet swell on a long travel day.

The outsole is a two-part PU and TPU sole that ECCO describes as light and flexible. The version we link is a long-lace sneaker in full-grain and nubuck leather.

On a Europe trip: the dinner-ready pick on this list. It works with dark jeans or a simple dress. The leather needs a week or two of wear at home before it feels its best.

#9. New Balance 574: best classic sneaker shape

New Balance 574 (Women's)

Our verdict:

Best classic sneaker shape

Best for travelers who want one familiar, comfortable sneaker that doubles as a travel shoe and an everyday shoe.

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Suede and mesh upper
ENCAP midsole combines foam with a polyurethane rim
Rubber outsole with recycled rubber content
Adjustable lace closure

Keep in mind: it's built more for stability and everyday comfort than for aggressive terrain.

Product details checked September 2026

The New Balance 574 has stuck around for years because the shape works. ENCAP midsole cushioning combines lightweight foam with a durable polyurethane rim. That gives support that holds up over a full day. The suede and mesh upper is built to handle regular wear.

The rubber outsole includes some recycled rubber, and the lace closure adjusts for a snug fit. The 574 sits on a wider last than New Balance's racing shoes, which suits feet that feel squeezed in slim sneakers.

On a Europe trip: the easy backup shoe. It pairs with casual clothes and gives your feet a change from your main walking shoe. Keep the suede out of heavy rain.

#10. Dansko Paisley: best for a dressier, low-slip look

Dansko Paisley Sneaker (Women's)

Our verdict:

Best for a dressier, low-slip look

Best for travelers who want all-day comfort in a shoe that doesn't look athletic at all.

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Accommodates most standard and custom orthotics
Waterproof suede and nubuck uppers with Scotchgard treatment
Seam-sealed waterproof construction
Dri-lex lining for moisture management

Keep in mind: it runs heavier and stiffer than the mesh sneakers on this list, so it rewards a proper break-in.

Product details checked September 2026

The Dansko Paisley is built for people on their feet all day. It uses a removable footbed with Dansko's Natural Arch technology for arch support and shock absorption. A shank built into the midsole adds stability. The outsole is Vibram rubber built for slip resistance, which helps on smooth, worn stone.

The listing we link is the waterproof suede and nubuck version, with seam-sealed construction. The uppers are treated with 3M Scotchgard for stain resistance, and the lining is built to manage moisture and odor. The footbed takes most standard and custom orthotics.

On a Europe trip: the pick for a rainy trip when you want a shoe that looks closer to a casual flat than a sneaker. It is heavier than the mesh picks, so wear it rather than pack it.

Factors to consider when choosing the best walking shoes for women

Pronation, arch type, and why it matters

Pronation is the natural inward roll of your foot and ankle as you walk. Overpronation is an exaggerated version of that roll. It shows up more in people with flatter arches, and it gets more noticeable the longer you're on your feet. A rigid, neutral sole gives that rolling motion nothing to correct against. That's where structured support shoes like the Vionic Walk Max Skyline or Dansko Paisley earn their place.

A women's-specific last

A women's-specific last refers to the actual mold a shoe is built around, not just a smaller size of a men's shoe. Ryka is the clearest example here, building every shoe around a woman's foot shape from the start.

Sizing that isn't consistent across brands

Brooks, Vionic, New Balance, Ryka, Merrell, ECCO, and Dansko all use different lasts, and the same size number doesn't always mean the same fit. Leather shoes like the ECCO Soft 7 and Dansko Paisley run closer to traditional shoe sizing and won't stretch out much once you're traveling.

So size leather shoes carefully, true to size or a touch roomier. Mesh and knit uppers, like the Hoka and New Balance picks, have more give. They forgive a slightly snug fit at purchase, since they flex with wear. If heel slip or a roomy toe box has bothered you in other brands, try the Ryka first.

What the spec sheet numbers mean

Stack height is how much material sits between your foot and the ground, measured separately at the heel and forefoot. A taller stack generally means more cushioning but can feel less stable on rounded cobblestone. Heel-to-toe drop is the difference between those two numbers.

Marble floors and cobblestones: why Europe is a harder test than home

Most walking-shoe reviews are written with flat sidewalks and carpeted offices in mind. Cobblestone streets are rounded and set at slightly different heights and angles. Your foot and ankle make small stabilizing adjustments with nearly every step. That tires muscles a flat surface never asks you to use.

Museum and cathedral floors present a different problem. They're often marble or old stone with no give. Standing still on that kind of surface for twenty minutes in a security line is different from standing on carpet at home.

How to choose between these

Start with your biggest complaint from past trips.

Sore feet by afternoon: Try the Brooks Ghost 18 or Hoka Clifton 9 first.
Flat feet or arch pain: Start with the Vionic Walk Max Skyline or New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14.
Heel slip or a cramped toe box: Try the Ryka Devotion Plus 4, built on a women's-specific last.
Rain or wet stone worry: Go with the Merrell Siren 4 GORE-TEX or Merrell Moab 3 Waterproof.
You want it to look like a normal shoe: The ECCO Soft 7 or Dansko Paisley fit that need.

Packing one pair or two for a Europe trip

Most travelers do fine with one main walking shoe plus one lighter backup. If your trip mixes old-town cobblestone with a countryside day trip, a waterproof option like the Merrell Siren 4 GORE-TEX is worth the extra weight. The same is true if your travel dates carry a real chance of rain.

Two pairs makes the most sense when your days genuinely differ in terrain or dress code. Pairing a daytime walking shoe with a dressier evening option, like the ECCO Soft 7 or Dansko Paisley, is a more useful split than packing two shoes that solve the same problem.

Breaking in a new pair before you fly

Every shoe on this list needs real wear before a trip. Cushioned foam compresses and softens slightly with use. Structured support systems can feel different underfoot the first few times you wear them. That's because they actively reposition your foot rather than just cushioning it.

Plan on at least a week of regular wear at home before departure, including a couple of walks of an hour or more. Leather shoes like the ECCO Soft 7 and Dansko Paisley benefit from even more lead time, since leather takes longer to flex naturally.

Which shoe for which trip

A summer city break in Rome, Madrid or Athens: the Hoka Clifton 9 or Ryka Devotion Plus 4. Both are light and breathable.
A rainy spring in London, Paris or Amsterdam: the Merrell Siren 4 GORE-TEX or the waterproof Dansko Paisley.
A trip with coastal or mountain hikes: the Merrell Moab 3 Waterproof or Siren 4.
Long museum days: the Vionic Walk Max Skyline or Brooks Ghost 18, for support and cushion on hard floors.
Nice dinners most nights: the ECCO Soft 7 as your main or second pair.

Socks and blisters

Most travel blisters start with a heel that slips, a damp sock or a new shoe. Thin, moisture-wicking socks in merino or a synthetic blend keep feet drier than cotton. Pack enough pairs to change at lunch on hot days. At the first hot spot, cover it with tape or a blister plaster. Waiting until the evening turns a small rub into a real blister.

Use the top eyelet of a laced shoe to lock your heel in place. That simple lacing trick stops a lot of heel slip.

Season and city change what to prioritize

Spring or summer in a southern city: breathable mesh uppers, like the Hoka Clifton 9 or New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14, keep feet cooler through long, warm days. They skip the bulk of a waterproof build.

Winter or a rainy stretch further north: the Merrell Siren 4 GORE-TEX and Merrell Moab 3 Waterproof handle wet cobblestones and damp weather that a mesh sneaker is not built for. The waterproof Dansko Paisley covers the same weather with a dressier look.

Any season, if support is your main concern: the Vionic Walk Max Skyline and Ryka Devotion Plus 4 lead on fit and support in any weather, since that is the problem they are built to solve first.

Reading the spec sheet

Vibram outsoles: Vibram makes sole rubber for many shoe brands. It does not make whole shoes. The TC5+ compound on both Merrell picks was made for Merrell and is built for grip on varied, often wet ground. That carries over well to wet stone.

GORE-TEX: a specific waterproof, breathable membrane, not a general word for water resistance. The Siren 4 uses GORE-TEX. The Moab 3 Waterproof uses Merrell's own waterproof membrane. Both are a stronger claim than a water-resistant coating on a plain upper.

Sockliner and footbed: the removable layer your foot sits on. On the Ghost 18 it is an Ortholite X-60 sockliner. On the Moab 3 it is Merrell's Kinetic Fit insole. A removable footbed lets you swap in an orthotic.

A quick check before you buy

Run through these five points before you pick from the ten shoes above:

A known foot issue, like plantar fasciitis or flat feet: start with the Vionic Walk Max Skyline, New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14 or Dansko Paisley.
A real chance of rain, or unpaved paths: the Merrell Siren 4 GORE-TEX or Moab 3 Waterproof are worth the extra weight.
Heel slip or a loose toe box in past shoes: try the Ryka Devotion Plus 4, built on a women's-specific last.
One shoe for sightseeing and dinner: the ECCO Soft 7 or Dansko Paisley lean dressier than the athletic picks.
The lightest possible bag: the Hoka Clifton 9 and Ryka Devotion Plus 4 are the lightest picks here.

Most travelers can settle two or three of these before they shop. That usually narrows ten shoes to two or three real options.

Is it the shoe or just a long day

If your feet hurt in the same spot every time, no matter how much you rest, the shoe is likely the problem. General tiredness that eases after a short break is more likely just the walking itself. Even a great shoe cannot fully erase ten days of 20,000 steps.

Mid-trip, change into your backup pair for a day if you have one. Check your socks, since thin cotton socks rub more than a wool or synthetic blend. Build in a slower day with a boat trip, a long lunch or a train ride. Your feet recover faster than you think with one lighter day.

Do you need a third pair for evenings

For most trips, no. A light pair of sandals or slip-ons covers evenings without much weight. Two walking shoes from this list usually cover both sightseeing and dinner, if one of them is a dressier option like the ECCO Soft 7 or Dansko Paisley. Save the bag space for something you will use every day.

How far you will really walk

Plan on more walking than you expect. A day of sightseeing in a European city often runs 15,000 to 25,000 steps once you count museum halls, station changes and wandering between neighborhoods. Old towns are best seen on foot, and many have steep lanes or long staircases.

That distance is why cushioning and fit matter more on a trip than at home. A shoe that is fine for a 30-minute walk can be sore by hour six. If you are unsure, pick the more cushioned or better-fitting option on this list. Your feet will be in it far longer than you think.

A step counter on your phone helps you plan. Check it for a few normal days at home, then compare it with a sightseeing day on your first trip. Most people are surprised by the gap. Knowing it helps you judge whether a shoe that feels fine at home will still feel fine after a full day in Rome or Prague.

How we picked the best walking shoes for women

Every shoe here had to meet three tests. It had to be currently listed for sale. It had to be backed by real specs we could verify directly. And it had to be a women's-specific model, not a generic listing.

We skipped anything we couldn't confirm. That's why you won't see prices or ratings on this page.

What actually happens to your feet on a long walking day

Repeated footstrikes on hard pavement send a small shock up through your foot and leg with every step. That happens thousands of times over a full day. Cushioning, whether it's Brooks's foam or Merrell's FloatPro midsole, absorbs some of that shock before it reaches your joints. The effect is cumulative. A shoe that feels fine for the first hour can start to show its limits by hour six or seven.

Standing still is a different demand. Your foot's arch has to hold your body weight in place. The muscles supporting that arch do more continuous work than they would during motion. That's why structured arch support solves a different problem than raw cushioning does.

Caring for these shoes mid-trip

On the Brooks Ghost 18, Clifton 9, and New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14, wipe the mesh or knit uppers with a damp cloth before leaving them to air-dry. Treat the leather and suede on the ECCO Soft 7, Dansko Paisley, and Merrell models more cautiously: leave those pairs away from the hotel radiator, since direct heat can crack leather.

If a shoe gets fully soaked, stuff the toe box loosely with a dry towel or newspaper to help it hold its shape and dry faster overnight.

Common mistakes women make packing walking shoes for Europe

Buying a new pair the week before departure. Even a great match for your foot can rub or blister if it's brand new on day one of a trip.

Assuming a men's or unisex size conversion is close enough. Shoes built on a genuinely women's-specific last, like the Ryka Devotion Plus 4, differ from a converted men's shoe in more than just size numbers.

Packing only athletic shoes, or only dress shoes. The ECCO Soft 7 and Dansko Paisley both bridge that gap better than a pure sneaker or a pair of flats would.

Ignoring arch support because a shoe has thick cushioning. A thickly cushioned shoe like the Ghost 18 is not a substitute for the Vionic Walk Max Skyline or Dansko Paisley if your issue is specifically arch-related pain.

Not checking whether a "waterproof" shoe uses a real membrane. Genuine GORE-TEX, as used in the Merrell Siren 4 and Moab 3, is a different claim than a water-resistant coating on an untreated upper.

Questions people also ask

How many pairs of walking shoes should I pack for a trip?

Most travelers do fine with two: one main walking shoe for daytime, like the Hoka Clifton 9 or Ryka Devotion Plus 4, and one dressier option, like the ECCO Soft 7 or Dansko Paisley, for evenings. Packing more than that usually isn't worth the space.

Do arch-support shoes replace custom orthotics?

Not for everyone. Shoes like the Vionic Walk Max Skyline and the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v14 build in real support, which is a meaningful signal. If you already use a custom orthotic for a diagnosed foot condition, check with whoever prescribed it before you leave the orthotic at home.

Is a heavier shoe always more protective?

Not necessarily. Weight and cushioning aren't the same thing. The Brooks Ghost 18 is heavier than the Clifton 9 mainly because it carries more foam, not because it's built tougher. Pick based on the support and grip you need, not the number on a scale.

Do women's walking shoes really need to be built on a different last, or is that mostly marketing?

It varies by brand and model, but it's a real difference where it exists. Ryka's whole design approach starts from a woman's foot shape, with a narrower heel and different arch position than a men's pattern would produce. Whether that difference matters for your foot is something you can only judge by trying the shoe on.

Should I bring a third pair for evenings if I'm already packing two?

For most trips, no. A lightweight pair of sandals or slip-ons usually covers evening needs without adding much weight. Two well-chosen walking shoes, one daytime and one dressier option, typically cover both sightseeing and dinner without needing a third pair.

How do I know if my current shoes are actually the problem versus just needing a break?

If your feet hurt in roughly the same spot every time, regardless of rest, that points to the shoe. General, all-over tiredness that improves with a short break is more likely just accumulated walking fatigue, which even a great shoe won't fully eliminate on a trip with back-to-back long days.