Quality Walking Shoes

My brother is a runner and used to swear by Aisics. I tried them and really liked them at first. Then they began to tear up the back of my foot. I found out most Nikes really work for me.

You have to find the right shoe for you.

I also agree with the recommendation to go to a running store and be properly fitted. You won't get a bargain on the shoes but you will get shoes that are the right fit for your body and activity level. I went through 3 pairs of running shoes that killed my feet before finally just going for a fitting and it was like getting new feet - all sorts of issues were cured for me with just the right pair of shoes!

I would go to a running shop, not your usual sports authority or ladies foot locker, and get fitted. They will ask for a few pairs of your current shoes, maybe even put you on a treadmill, and look at your gait, foot fall, and other factors. What might prove a good shoe for me might be horrible for you. In NYC, there are a handful, a running club, such as your local equivalent to the NYC road runners might be able to point you in the right direction.

Best,
F. B.

I went to a running shop yesterday for new running shoes because I was having issues. They talked to me at length, video taped me running barefoot, and really spent time with me to help me pick out the right shoe. Highly recommend doing that. Yes, you'll probably spend a bit more. However, it is cheaper than buying two pairs that don't work before finding one that does like I did. Everyone is different - I can't wear New Balance, or Asic, or Nike - they hurt my legs. Mizuno, Spiro, and Reebok are my shoes of choice for my body - but yours will be different.

I would do a little research on line at footsmart.com or onlineshoes.com about shoes that will support your foot & knee issues. Then you can find a local store that has a couple of different brands in your price range & try them on.

I had bad Plantar Fascitis a couple of years ago & found I really needed more arch & heel support than the shoes I had been wearing provided. I tried inserts in my regular running shoes, but that wasn't enough. I also tried New Balance, but my feet hurt the whole time I wore them. Not every brand is comfortable on all feet. I really hated spending $ on a pair that felt good in the store, but after 30 or 40 minutes, I was in pain again.

I was so frustrated because part of the remedy for my pain was to lose weight, but walking was extremely painful! I ultimately ended up with a pair by ortho-heel. They are "old lady" looking--that's what my kids call them & they were more expensive than I wanted to spend, but since I only wear them for walking & not even the whole year, they've lasted for more than 3 years. In the summer I found a pair of ecco walking sandals that I love.

I agree with all of those who said go to a store that specializes in running shoes and get properly fitted. They will also check out your gait to see what style and brand of shoe is best for you. I am FINALLY recovering from plantar fasciitis after almost 8 months, including two months of PT. My current shoes for walking the dogs are a trail shoe. I think they are Nikes. I got them from a running store and was personally fitted. I love them. This store also has regular sales and gives discounts for health club memberships. I think I paid around $75-80 for them, which I thought was a good deal. It's really worthwhile to have quality and well-fitted shoes. It's easier to prevent PF and other ailments than it is to treat them once you have them!

I'm with Fanged Bunny....Go to a shop for running. I know you are not running but they can help.

2 stores we have that are good are Luke's Locker and Run On

Go to a reputable store and talk to them and have them fit you for showes. I can wear New Balnce, but Asics or Nikie bother me. Every person is built different. Also, if you are using them dialy. I would suggest repacing them every 3 months.

New balance makes great shoes, walking, running, etc.

Check out The Walking Company

Good for you!

I'll go with the majority on this one. Your best bet is to be brave and go to a store that specializes in athletic shoes.

Tell them you need all the help you can get. They will check your feet, have you walk on a treadmill so they can see how you walk - it isn't just putting one foot down in front of the other - and try different kinds of shoes on you to see what works best. (Socks are important, too!) Tell them your budget and they'll try to work with it if they're reputable, BUT nothing is truly cheap except cheap quality, which turns out not to be cheap either.

You may be able to find the *next* pair of your Right Shoes for a better price on Zappo's, but right now your goal is to find out what shoes will love your feet.

(I happen to be an Asics Gels fan, but you may find that something else is better for you. I buy them online or at the running store, depending on which place has the sale.)

For walking, MBT is the best. The company went bankrupt due to no fault of the shoe and you find them online relatively cheap. I paid $250.00 each for my three pairs but you can find them as low as $45 to $75 online. The company has been bought and will reopen soon so prices will of course go back up but they are great. The ripoff versions are just that...they don't work. MBTs not only help with inch loss around the waist but tone gluts, thighs and calves. I love mine and would pay the 250 all over again.

Regards,
M.

I went to a specialty running store and the guy analyzed my arch, ankle support etc, and gave me three shoe options (out of this huge store) for my type of foot. None of them were the fun purple ones I had my eye one...but wow. I had always had knee problems when I ran, and had resigned myself to being a power walker, rather than a runner. I am now a pain free runner. My suggestion? Go ask an expert for advice, then take it!

Good luck!

If you're a serious walker (and not just an ambler ;), you need running shoes. Go to a store that specializes in running shoes (not Foot Locker, but an actual specialty running store where they know what they're doing), and have them fit you with some shoes. Remember that you will probably need to go a size up from your normal size to get a really comfortable fit, and you may also want to experiment with different widths. A too-small running shoe can lead to painful and bruised toenails, which you don't want. Spend some time walking around the store in your shoes once you find a pair you like. Any "hot spots," those aren't the shoes for you, because the hot spots turn into blisters. A properly fitted shoe requires no breaking in at all, it will just feel really comfortable. Have fun shoe shopping!

As many people have mentioned, one brand or another isn't necessarily going to help you, because you need to find a shoe that works for your stride, foot shape & body. And surprisingly, that can change over time! There have been times when I've shopped for new shoes & found my "go to" brand no longer was comfortable, or caused issues when worn long periods. Also, brands have different styles, so one New Balance shoe may not work for you, but a different New Balance model may be just what you need.

That said, here are some key aspects of a good walking shoe - lightweight, breatheable, supportive & sized appropriately.

Lightweight - You don't want a heavy shoe on your foot that is going to impede your stride. I've worn really nice, cushiony shoes for normal errands, but when I tried wearing them @ the gym for walking, found myself lagging in my stride, & didn't "make time" for a mile. However, make sure it is still a shoe designed for walking/light jogging. There are some very lightweight shoes, but they won't offer the support you need for your activity.

Breatheable - believe it or not, this can really make a difference in comfort. The more active you are, the more your foot tends to sweat, and a shoe that is fully enclosed will cause issues, & can lead to blisters from the friction of your socks & shoe. A breatheable shoe also has a tendency to be lightweight, without sacrificing support.

Supportive - walking shoes should have a good, wide base of support, come well up the side of your foot (not to be confused with an ankle shoe, you don't want it to rub on your ankle bones) and have an appropriate arch support for your foot. I personally find I need a very high arch support for my walking shoe, more so than for my everyday shoes. If you plan on wearing any type of inserts, make sure you try the shoe on with them.

Sized appropriately - when you walk over distance, your foot will naturally swell & expand. Runners tend to experience this more than walkers, but don't buy a shoe that feels at all tight, or whose length is such that your toes might touch the front. Keep in mind, as you stride, your foot slides a bit forward/backward in the shoe - any touching you experience in trying on will be magnified while walking, and will be annoying at best, and can lead to toe pain and nail issues. The toe-box should be wide to allow for your foot to spread appropriately, so that your toes do not bunch while walking. Make sure your inserts allow plenty of room , without "compressing" your foot to the top of the shoe (most inserts add "height" which takes away room for your foot)

Don't be afraid to go into a mens shoe if necessary. Most mens shoes look the same as a womens (with the excpetion that they typically dont' come in pink!), but can offer more width (in both the toe-box & heel) as well as more arch support. Those women with a larger foot (size 10 & above) or specifically wide feet will usually benefit.

I hope this helps - If you go to a running store (NOT Foot Locker @ the mall), they will help you find a shoe that balances you needs. But if you are like me, & shop @ Kohl's, make sure you take plenty of time to walk around the store in the shoe. Try on 5-10 pairs for a good "fit", & then walk (in your walking stride) around the store for at least 5-10 minutes to see how they fit.

Finally, if you do quite a bit of walking, it is not good to wear your shoes day after day. Most runners & serious walkers will have 3-5 pairs of shoes & alternate. Obviously, this is a bit costly, so take this advice & apply it to -your- situation as appropriate. But if you have 2 pairs of shoes, wearing them alternately gives each a chance to "air out".

Also, don't wait until they are both worn out before buying a new pair, get a 3rd pair & rotate them in after a few months. Shoes 'adjust' to your individual foot and stride, so a new pair will not fit & function the same way as a used pair right away. It is recommended to replace walking/running shoes after a certain amount of time or miles, usually every 6 months. Just keep track of which pair is the oldest, so they are the first to go when you get a new pair.

Good luck, & good for you in your exercise path! (pun intended) T. =-)