There are a number of tennis shoes, commonly known as athletic shoes, that offer plenty of support for those who enjoy walking. There are walking shoes for people with flat feet, who tend to overpronate and roll their feet to the inside when they walk. There are walking shoes for people with high arches who underpronate and roll their feet to the outside when they walk. Good walking shoes can help correct for these conditions and keep you moving in comfort.
Women
The Brooks Infiniti 2 for women is recommended by "Fitness Magazine." It has a midsole that provides stability for those who overpronate and strike the ground on the insides of their feet. Special fluid in the heel and forefoot enhances cushioning and reduces the shock of impact. The Asics GEL-Foundation 8 is also recommended for those with flat feet. For those who underpronate, the Saucony Pro Grid Guide 2 offers more support under the arch. If you don't have pronation issues, two excellent walking shoes are the Timberland Lionshead and the Asics GEL-Motion.
Men
A top pick for men from the Health Mad website is the Brooks Beast, especially suitable for those who excessively overpronate. The Mizuno Wave is also an excellent shoe for walkers, while the Adidas adiStar Control will give you good motion control in a very flexible shoe.
Buying Tips
If you are shopping for walking shoes at a store, go late in the afternoon when your feet are bigger. Walk in the shoes for at least five minutes. All of your toes should move freely. There should be about 1/2 inch of space between your longest toe and the tip of the shoe. If you are shopping online, make sure you can return the shoes if the fit is wrong or the shoes are uncomfortable.
Considerations
Walking shoes usually have less cushioning and shock-absorbing power than running shoes, since your foot doesn't strike the ground as hard as it does when you run. Walking shoes also tend to flex more easily than running shoes, to allow your toes to lift off the ground more easily. But running shoes are more flexible than they used to be, and they are lighter than walking shoes. So many experts now recommend that walkers buy running shoes, including such shoes as the previously recommended Brooks Beast and Mizuno Wave. The extra cushioning and shock absorption in a running shoe are added bonuses for walkers, and if you decide to progress from walking to jogging, you will already possess the correct shoes to do so.
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