Ryka Devotion Plus 3 - Women's Review

This women-specific shoe really grew on us, particularly impressing us with its thoughtfully engineered fit that prevented any rubbing or hot spots. We liked how the anatomical design, with its wider forefoot and narrower heel, provided excellent arch support and eliminated any pronation issues we typically experience in other shoes.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

During my extensive testing, the Devotion Plus 3 revealed itself as a slow burn rather than love at first step. My initial 5,000 steps left me feeling neutral, but after months of comparative testing against pricier alternatives, these shoes really began to shine. The anatomical insole with enhanced arch and heel support proved especially effective at preventing foot fatigue during long days. These aren't the most cushioned shoes I've tested, but they provided enough padding that I never had any major issues with foot pain or fatigue.

Ryka's women-specific design philosophy shows through in four key areas: a wider forefoot that allows natural toe splay, a narrower heel for secure fit, carefully tuned shock absorption, and contoured cushioning calibrated for women's biomechanics. The regular width fit true to size in our testing, and we appreciated the option of a wide version for those who need it.

The toe box deserves special mention - while not as spacious as a few other models we've tested, it provides noticeably more room than standard walking shoes. This translated to zero rubbing or discomfort across the ball of the foot, even straight out of the box. The shoe offers reasonable ease of entry - you can slip them on when laced loosely, though you'll need to adjust the laces for a proper fit.

Shoe Exterior Shoe Interior

Support

To evaluate how well a shoe will support natural foot movement, we conduct a flexion test that reveals where the shoe bends during walking. Since your foot naturally hinges at the ball of the foot (the metatarsophalangeal joint), a proper walking shoe should flex specifically at this point while remaining firm through the arch. By pressing down on the toe box while holding the heel, we can quickly identify shoes that either resist this natural flex point (potentially leading to foot problems like plantar fasciitis) or bend too easily through the midfoot (indicating poor arch support). This simple test helps predict how well the shoe will work with, rather than against, your foot's natural mechanics during each step. In our standardized testing, we noticed the Devotion Plus bend more readily than most competitors, both at the toe and midfoot, but they still provide adequate stability for typical walking activities.

The standard lacing system allows for good customization - I could easily loosen pressure points over the arch while maintaining a secure fit elsewhere. The padding strikes a middle ground, offering more cushioning than minimalist options but less than maximal choices.

To evaluate a walking shoe's structural support, we also perform the twist test - gripping the heel and forefoot and rotating them in opposite directions. This reveals the shoe's torsional stability, or how well it controls side-to-side motion during walking. A shoe that strongly resists this twisting force will provide better stability during your stride, while one that twists easily like a dishrag indicates insufficient support that could allow excessive foot rotation.

The twist test revealed more flexibility than we typically prefer, suggesting these shoes may not provide sufficient support for severe overpronators or those needing maximum stability. However, neutral walkers and mild overpronators should find adequate support for daily activities.

The Devotion Plus has a heel-to-toe drop of 10 millimeters, which I didn't find to be too much during testing. If you are used to no-drop or minimal-drop shoes, this might be a little uncomfortable at first. We also measured the shoes to have 31 millimeters of stack under the heel. Again, this shouldn't be too obvious unless you are used to a specifically low-cushioned shoe. However, the Ryka doesn't have much of a rocker, meaning you won't get the forward propulsion that those with large rockers provide.

Traction

The Ryka Devotion Plus 3 employs an innovative eight-piece rubber outsole design that proved capable across multiple surfaces in our testing. The strategic layout features radiating flex grooves that work together to provide multi-directional grip, which I found particularly effective during quick direction changes and lateral movements.

During my surface-specific testing, these shoes demonstrated varying levels of performance. On concrete sidewalks and streets, they scored slightly above average. While the shoes performed admirably on dry surfaces, we noticed some slippage when encountering wet spots, suggesting caution in freshly mopped areas or rainy entrance ways.

Gravel pathways presented a moderate challenge, earning these shoes a spot in the middle of the pack. While not specifically designed for loose terrain, the larger traction points provided adequate stability without the common annoyance of trapped rocks - a problem I frequently encountered with walking shoes. This design choice makes them particularly practical for urban walkers who occasionally venture onto unpaved surfaces. This makes them an especially practical choice for walkers who encounter multiple surface types throughout their day.

Weight

At 7.75 ounces per shoe(US 6.5), the Ryka Devotion Plus 3 sits in the middle of our test group's weight range - impressively light given its women-specific support features and cushioned design. During our months of testing, we found the weight to be well-distributed, which helped prevent foot fatigue and contributed to the shoe's reliable all-day comfort, particularly around the anatomically-designed arch support.

While not the lightest option in our lineup, the Devotion Plus's weight comes from purposeful features like the eight-piece rubber outsole and targeted cushioning zones, which I think are worthwhile additions that enhance rather than hinder performance.

Durability

While our test pairs have held up well through several months of heavy use, we've noted some concerning trends in long-term user reports. Common issues include diminishing arch support after 2-3 months, quick-developing odors, and occasional sole separation. The materials feel adequate for the price point, but don't expect the same longevity as premium models.

Care is straightforward - they can be cleaned with soap and water and air-dried. Regular cleaning may help mitigate the reported odor issues. However, it should be noted that I had no issues with these shoes after months of wear. My pair of Rykas held up against the extensive testing and continue to. Additionally, I had no trouble with odors or overheating.

Should You Buy the Ryka Womens Devotion Plus 3?

If you're seeking an affordable walking shoe designed specifically for women's biomechanics, the Devotion Plus 3 deserves serious consideration. The anatomical fit and balanced cushioning make it especially suitable for neutral walkers who prioritize comfort over maximum support. While some durability concerns exist, the performance-to-price ratio remains compelling for budget-conscious buyers. These shoes particularly excel for casual fitness walking and all-day wear in urban environments.

What Other Walking Shoes Should You Consider?

If cushioning is your top priority, consider investing in the Brooks Ghost Max 2, which showed superior build quality and underfoot padding in our testing. If you're looking for a shoe that maximizes style and is good for travel, take a look at the On Cloud 5. And if you need a shoe that costs even less, but performs well the Skechers GO WALK Joy is hard to beat.