1. ECCO Mobile Shoes
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I am a big fan of ECCO shoes and boots for comfort at work. This model is a lightweight, flexible leather shoe with an anatomic footbed and moisture-wicking lining. These shoes would be great for going from standing to taking a few laps during your lunch or breaks. This model received the APMA Seal of Acceptance.
2. Kuru Insight
Wendy Bumgardner © 2011
Kuru shoes feature an insole that flexes with the heelstrike, giving great cushion and ergonomics to your walking motion. I received a pair of the Kuru Insight to review and was very impressed with the design. I think they work well for a casual office, school, travel and walking commuters. They perform well for shorter fitness walks. After wearing the Insight, I would explore their other designs. I was especially pleased with the generous toe box.
3. Nike Free 5.0
Photo © Wendy Bumgardner
Nike Free shoes mimic walking barefoot and fits like a glove. The extreme flexibility from the grooved sole allows your foot to move as it wishes, not how the shoe wishes. The shoes come with a recommended training schedule to slowly build your time in them, as your feet and body adjust to the extreme freedom. Unlike the other comfort shoes listed, these have minimal cushioning and are extremely lightweight. Oprah Winfrey named these as one of her favorite things in winter, 2010.
4. Balance Walking Shoe - Dr. Weil Integrative Footwear
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This comfort shoe is a great lightweight walking shoe that you can also wear for everyday lifestyle walking. It comes with the Orthaheel podiatrist-designed tri-planar footbed. The footbed provides arch support and motion control. The shoes come with a regular footbed to interchange if you prefer. The shoe is flexible in the forefoot for a good walking stride. They are flat with a low heel, perfect for walking.
5. Birkenstock Arizona Sandals
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Many of my friends with problem feet finally found comfort when switching to Birkenstock sandals with their negative heelbed. While I take testimonials with a grain of salt, I can point to many people who will only wear Birkenstocks due to their great experiences.
6. Tenevis La Jolla Shoes
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For super cushioning and motion control, the Tenevis La Jolla have a balance bone/balance chip replaceable heel. They remind me a bit of the Z-Coil shoes, but without the exposed spring. Instead, the heel is a separate piece from the sole. The encourage good posture and proper foot alignment throughout each step.
7. Z-CoiL
Photo courtesy of Z-CoiL
Z-Coil shoes are super-cushioned by a spring in the heel and major cushioning in the forefoot, plus a stiff orthotic. Testimonials abound for them helping conditions such as plantar fasciitis. They also have a big market among those who must walk and stand all day on concrete surfaces - such as nurses, store clerks, etc. They are individually fit by a distributor to ensure proper fit. The drawbacks are that they are heavy and rather odd looking - but you can get them with an enclosed heel. They have styles for comfort walking as well as fitness walking and trail walking.
8. Earth Shoes
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Earth Shoes feature the KALSO® Negative Heel™ Technology, which they claim promotes the natural way of walking, like you are walking barefoot in sand.
9. Rockport Walker
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Most Rockport shoe designs have won the APMA Seal of Acceptance. I have generally found Rockports to be too stiff in the sole to promote proper roll-through of the foot when walking. But for a comfort shoe for standing/walking these designs may be appropriate.
10. SAS Shoes
Photo © Wendy Bumgardner
For many years, volkssport walkers throughout the USA swore by SAS shoes. These were in fact the only shoes I could wear at work to prevent aching, tired feet when my job required constant standing and moving short distances. SAS Shoes are not sold on the internet. They are best found at SAS Factory Outlet stores at factory outlet malls, or at comfort shoe stores. They are well-cushioned and flexible, great for walking but a bit hot.
11. MBT Sport Walkers by Swiss Masai
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MBT©, Masai Barefoot Technology mimics the way the Masai tribe walks barefoot. These shoes have a stiff fiberglass in the sole. MBT shoes have no heel, forcing you to really roll through each step from heel to toe, enforcing good walking technique. They are heavier shoes and can take some getting used to. The makers claim that the design can make you feel better from head to toe. If you have problem feet and have tried many different solutions, MBT shoes are one more option.
