Ryka’s Devotion Plus 3 Walking Shoe is Comfy and Supportive for All-Day Wear

A versatile, well-designed shoe with a comfortable and flexible fit

4.9

Rykä Devotion Plus 3 Walking Shoe

Ryka Women's Devotion Plus 3 Walking Shoe Review
What We Like
  • Lightweight and breathable

  • Excellent shock absorption

  • Good traction

  • Sturdy and durable

What We Don't Like
  • Eyelets aren't easy to lace

Bottom Line

Ryka’s Devotion Plus 3 Walking Shoe is a durable, well-designed option that offers a comfortable fit, lightweight feel, and supportive cushioning, making it ideal for fitness walking or all-day wear.

4.9

Rykä Devotion Plus 3 Walking Shoe

Ryka Women's Devotion Plus 3 Walking Shoe Review

We purchased Ryka’s Devotion Plus 3 Walking Shoe so our reviewer could put them to the test for outdoor and treadmill walking. Keep reading for our full review.

When selecting a walking shoe, a comfy fit is key, but support, cushioning, breathability, and overall durability are also important considerations. A popular choice among fitness walkers, the Ryka Devotion Plus 3 shoe is designed for a woman’s unique foot shape, with a narrower heel, roomy forefoot, and soft, cushioned comfort. To see if it checked all the boxes for a reliable walking shoe, I laced up a pair and hit the roads and treadmill for some test walks.

Who it's For

Lightweight and responsive, the Ryka Devotion Plus 3 is a versatile walking shoe that’s suitable for fitness walking, cardio workouts, or comfy casual wear.

That being said, it’s designed for women with a neutral gait, so it doesn’t have the stability features that a walker who overpronates, or rolls their feet in when walking, might need. It’s also not intended for running, so women who want an athletic shoe that works for run/walking should seek another option.

Ryka Women's Devotion Plus 3 Walking Shoe Review

Verywell Fit / Christine Luff

Cushioning: Plush, yet supportive

It’s tough for a shoe to feel lightweight and springy, while still offering a soft, plush feel, but the Devotion Plus 3 pulls it off. During walks both outdoors and on the treadmill, it provided cushioned comfort and excellent shock absorption from start to finish, which earned the shoe high marks for cushioning—no surprise it's a top-rated shoe for back pain. Even the shoe’s collar and tongue are cushioned, which definitely enhanced its overall comfort.

With a history of plantar fasciitis, I need a walking shoe with good cushioning and shock absorption, especially in the heel area, and the Devotion Plus 3 delivered. The well-placed foam cushioning definitely helped to soften impact without feeling too squishy and it evenly distributed weight throughout the shoe. After a long walk, the cushioning still held up, keeping my feet from feeling fatigued or sore.

Responsiveness: Adds spring to your step

As soon as I laced up these shoes and started walking, I could feel the shoe’s springiness with each step. Even when I wore them casually for an entire day, they still provided good energy return. The balance of plush comfort and dependable bounce back made me give these shoes high praise for responsiveness. 

When I finished a long walk, I wasn’t rushing to immediately take them off, which is always a sign of a comfy, well-fitting shoe.

Upper Comfort: Smooth, flexible, and breathable

The shoe’s upper is made with smooth, breathable material that stretches to the shape of the foot. The result is a snug, supportive, and comfortable feel that allows for good flexibility.

There’s ventilation on both the front and sides of the shoe, so my feet stayed dry and cool, even during warmer weather walks. Whether I was wearing them for exercise or casual wear, the upper provided lightweight comfort. 

Fit: Snug and supportive, but not too tight

Right out of the box, the shoe offered a comfortable fit, without any need for a break-in period. The stretchy mesh upper hugged my feet, which felt supportive but not at all constricting. When I finished a long walk, I wasn’t rushing to immediately take them off, which is always a sign of a comfy, well-fitting shoes.

I have narrow feet, but I still need plenty of room in the toebox to prevent blisters and bruised toenails, which I’ve been prone to in the past. The Devotion Plus 3 accommodated both concerns, with a spacious forefoot for my toes to splay out, and a heel counter that cradled my rearfoot for a locked-in feel—making it an excellent option if you're looking for a wide toe box shoe. My feet didn’t slide around or move up and down inside the shoes as I was walking. 

For those who need more room, the shoe is also available in wide widths. Overall, it exceeded my expectations for fit.

The well-placed foam cushioning definitely helped to soften impact without feeling too squishy and evenly distributed weight throughout the shoe.

Lateral Stability and Support: Just what's needed for a neutral gait shoe

My first impression when I first put these shoes on was that the support in the arch area felt just right—not overly rigid and not too soft and plush. As I started doing an outdoor walk, I definitely felt the ideal amount of support and stability for a neutral walker. The shoe’s grippy, rubber outsole also provided reliable traction on both smooth and uneven surfaces, which increased its overall stability.

That being said, if you have flat feet and severe overpronation, you might need a shoe that’s a bit more rigid and offers more motion control. Or, if you prefer custom orthotics, this Devotion Plus 3 is certainly deep and wide enough to accommodate them.

Ryka Women's Devotion Plus 3 Walking Shoe Review

Verywell Fit / Christine Luff

Blister Protection: Comfortable materials and smart design prevent irritation

Made from lightweight, breathable materials, the shoe’s upper helped to keep my feet cool and blister-free. The shoe also has good ventilation in key areas to dry sweat, so your feet don’t stay wet and more prone to blisters. I also didn’t notice any irritating seams or rough areas, and my toes had plenty of room to splay out.

Unlike some other walking shoes I’ve tried, these were comfortable right out of the box and didn’t need a break-in period. I didn’t get any blisters or notice any rubbing or irritation during the first few wears.

There’s ventilation on both the front and sides of the shoe, so my feet stayed dry and cool, even during warmer weather walks.

How We Tested

I walked in the shoes for about three weeks, compiling about 35 miles on the treadmill, roads, and walking paths. Some walks were shorter distances of only about 2 to 3 miles. Other walks were 6 or 7 miles, so I could test how the cushioning and support held up over the long haul.

To see if the shoe was a good option for all-day wear, I also wore it casually while working, doing household chores, and running errands.

Price: Excellent value for the money

High-performance walking or running shoes from top brands can easily cost $150 or more, but the Devotion Plus 3 shoe offers similar quality and comfort at a more reasonable price ($99).

Ryka Women's Devotion Plus 3 Walking Shoe Review

Verywell Fit / Christine Luff

Competition: Similar performance, higher price

Offering a comfortable fit, lightweight yet supportive cushioning, and excellent responsiveness, the Devotion Plus 3 rises above many similarly-priced walking shoes. Some shoes may offer comparable quality and performance, but with a higher price tag.

If you prefer leather as opposed to a mesh upper, you may like Saucony’s Omni Walker 3. Its style is better suited for casual wear and it may offer more protection when walking in colder weather. If you want a shoe that also works well for running, the Brooks Glycerin GTS 19 is a nice option. They’re a bit more expensive than the Devotion Plus 3, but worth the investment for their versatility.

Final Verdict

Yes, buy this all-around comfortable, well-designed shoe if you’re a neutral walker.

The Devotion Plus 3 is a high-performance neutral walking shoe that provides good support, outstanding shock absorption, and a flexible, comfortable fit. With a lightweight feel, breathable upper, and dependable traction, it’s a solid choice for both fitness walking or all-day wear and a great value for the money.

Specs

  • Product Name Devotion Plus 3 Walking Shoe
  • Product Brand Rykä
  • Weight 8.7 oz.
  • Closure Lace-up
  • Heel Drop 11 mm
  • What's Included Running shoes and laces

By Christine Luff, ACE-CPT
Christine Many Luff is a personal trainer, fitness nutrition specialist, and Road Runners Club of America Certified Coach.