1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Walking

What Shoes are Best for Walking?

By , About.com Guide

Updated November 13, 2008

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

New Balance 831 Lightweight Performance Shoe

New Balance 831 Lightweight Performance Shoe

Wendy Bumgardner
Question: What Shoes are Best for Walking?
Answer: There is no one brand or style of shoes that is best for all walkers. Instead, each person must get properly fit for shoes that best suit their stride and foot shape.

Running shoes are the best bet for walkers - they are generally 5-10 years ahead of walking shoes in their technical design. Running shoe models incorporate more of the latest developments for cushioning, motion control, and support.

There are a few elements walkers should look for in a shoe.

1. Flexible - you should be able to bend and flex the shoe.

2. Low heel and no flare - Some running shoes have higher heels to support runners who land on the ball of the foot. Walkers land on the heel and do not need a built-up or flared heel.

3. Fit - the shoes should be fit by an athletic shoe expert, best found at the store in your area that caters to serious runners. These shoe experts will be able to determine whether you overpronate and steer you towards the right design of shoe for your foot and stride.

4. Price - Good athletic shoes should cost between $60-95 US Dollars. If you spend more you are paying for style, if you spend less other than on an extreme close-out sale, you are buying cheap shoes.

Walking Shoe Guide
How to choose the right shoes and lists of the top shoes for each category.

Top Picks for Walking Shoes

Top Picks for Motion Control Shoes
Top Picks for Stability Shoes
Top Picks for Cushioned Shoes
Top Picks for Performance Training Shoes
Top Picks for Racewalking Shoes

Explore Walking
About.com Special Features

8 Ways to Cut Drug Costs

Learn how to save money on medications with these recommendations. More >

Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds

Keep yourself, and your family, happy and healthy this fall with these tips. More >

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Walking

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.