Walking shoes have become more popular for work, exercise walking and caring for sensitive feet. Top rated brands change selections seasonally, but may retain popular sellers. Instead of shopping for a walking shoe only by make or model, the medical experts at Mayo Clinic suggest taking a more personal approach. Consider the structure and physical condition of your feet and try on footwear for comfort and fit before buying.
The basic elements of walking shoes are some degree of stability (for heel strikes on pavement) and motion control (to limit lateral movement). Arch support, heel support and cushioning are other important features. Compare models from these top rated brands, evaluated by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) for function and construction.
Everyday Use
People who work indoors on their feet, such as retail clerks and food servers, frequently choose walking shoes for work. Top rated choices are durable, comfortable and economical enough to use as daily footwear. The APMA endorses many Reebok construction features, such as those found in the Ultimate Walk for men and women.
Also recommended, Crocs Velocity is made from closed-cell resin that allows the footbed to conform to your individual feet. This provides an excellent fit, especially for people with different sized or shaped feet. Find a similar custom feature in ASICS Gel-Foundation Walkers. These offer a memory foam-filled heel for a personalized heel cup--an outstanding stabilizer.
Athletic Use
Exercise walking requires more shoe adaptability to various terrains. Puma Complete Vectana is a running shoe for women and men that is popular with walkers. The internal stability control and all-terrain outsole make it ideal for exercise walking. Avia offers the cushioning of a running shoe in its 330 walking shoe.
Many who walk longer distances choose top rated Rockport walking shoes for the supreme stability. Steel shank construction adds weight but reduces stride interference. All Rockport models are designed for walking, with formal and casual collections available. A model such as the men's Malvid features a waterproof leather upper for all-weather functionality.
Sensitive Feet
If you have podiatric conditions stemming from bone and joint or diabetes issues, you should choose well-fitting walking shoes. Sensitive feet may need more flexibility, toe room, shoe depth or other special qualities. Podiatrists recommend walking shoes produced by Ecco, Wolky and Orthaheel for patients with sensitive feet.
Deep heel cups, high-traction rubber outsoles and removable footbeds are all found in exercise walking shoes such as the Ecco Strike Tie for men, Wolky Moira for women and Orthaheel Walker Shoes for men and women.
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