To make it through a tough workout, you have to have the right shoes. The American Council on Exercise, or ACE, suggests considering three things before purchasing a shoe: purpose, fit and foot type. Your personal best shoe will match your foot type and fit to the purpose of the activity you're performing. Organizations such as ACE and Fitness magazine test hundreds of shoes to provide you with information on the best shoes for certain activities, so use their research to start your own search for the perfect shoe.
Best Walking Shoe
The best walking shoe will help prevent calluses and blisters during your workout. Fitness magazine online tested walking shoes in 2009 and 2010. In 2009 the Timberland Lionshead took the cake, boasting a traction surface that moves easily from the pavement to the trail. The shoe tester also commented on the comfort level of the shoes, raving about the perfect fit.
The New Balance 760 Walking shoe came out on top for 2010. This lightweight shoe won extra points for flexibility, and the tester claimed she walked longer because the shoe was so comfortable.
Best Running Shoe
You can't choose just any shoe as the best running shoe--you have to choose a shoe based on your foot type. In 2010, Fitness magazine ranked the best running shoes based on the arch of your foot. If you have flat arches, choose the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 10, ranked the best running shoe for extra stability. If you have average arches, the Nike LunarGlide+ made top marks for mild stability. And if you're one of the high-arched crowd, pick up the Mizuno Wave Creation 11, the best neutral cushioned shoe.
Best Cycling Shoe
The American Council on Exercise ranked the Pearl iZUMi Men's Attack II Road cycling shoe with five out of five stars. When testers compared the shoe to more expensive brands, they found that the iZUMi Attack II Road stacked up nicely and offered comparable features. They're also lightweight and stylish, which made the testers happy. The downside is that they run small, so make sure you try them on before you purchase a pair.
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