What To Look For
It is important to buy shoes that fit your foot properly. Many potentially serious problems can result from ill-fitting shoes. Hammer toe and bunions are just a couple examples of painful foot deformities caused by wearing too-tight shoes over a period of time, according to the American Podiatric Medical Association. For these reasons, it is important to buy shoes that fit correctly in all areas of your foot, especially if you are purchasing a walking shoe. A shoe needs to have adequate room in and around the toes, sides and heel. It also needs to have sufficient cushioning for shock absorption, and the correct arch support for the condition of your arch. New Balance, Clarks, Rockport, Ecco and Merrell shoes are all high-quality shoes that generally either have sizes available for wide feet or are made to accommodate wide feet better than other brands. In addition, these brands have very comfortable styles for casual or intensive walking and are available in most shoe stores. New Balance shoes are good to look at because they have so many styles for different types of feet.
Common Pitfalls
Anything from a pushy salesperson to a lack of information can cause you to buy a shoe that is not right for you. When looking for a walking shoe, it is best to try it on in person rather than buy online. At a good shoe store, a salesperson can measure your foot with a Brannock Device. This device measures the length and width of your foot, and a good salesperson can recommend a brand or style of shoe for your foot. If a shoe feels tight in the toes, the sides, the arch or the heel, do not settle. If a store is out of stock, you can ask the salesman to place an order for your size, or you can even return home and order the proper size yourself online after you have tried the shoe on in person.
Where To Buy
To try on walking shoes, go to a store such as Foot Locker, Athlete's Foot, the shoe department at Nordstrom, the shoe department at Macy's, or a specialty athletic shoe store. After you have tried on the shoe there, you can try to find them cheaper online at Zappos.com or DSW.com. If you have a DSW in your area, you can go in and search the clearance racks for walking shoes for an incredible bargain. Sierra Trading Post is a great website where you can purchase walking shoes from 35 to 70 percent off retail price. Area Foot and Ankle Center recommends buying shoes later in the day to make sure the fit is good.
Cost
Because of the quality of these shoes, the prices are not the lowest. However, the brands listed here are generally cheaper than Mephisto shoes or handcrafted brands such as SAS shoes. New Balance shoes range from $65 to $120; Rockport, $70 to $80; Merrell, $65 to $100; Clarks $70 to $120; and ECCO $85 to $125. Whatever you end up buying, remember: Do not skimp on the fit of the shoe. It is much better to spend some extra time and money getting a shoe that fits your foot correctly than to have to get foot surgery further down the road.
Insider Tips
An additional shoe to try would be the Vibram Fivefingers. They promote a "barefoot" approach to footwear, embracing a minimalist shoe design that encourages more use of the muscles and tendons in your feet and legs. The stretchy design of the footwear allows the wider-footed wearer to experience greater comfort. Vibrams can only be purchased at select shoe stores and on their website. It is difficult to find them in stores because the Vibrams sell out so quickly. The inexperienced barefooter should be warned, though: if worn or walked in improperly, this style of shoe can allow you to tear certain muscles or get stress fractures. Follow recommendations very carefully and EASE INTO wearing them.
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