Meet the winner and the four finalists, as voted by our readers. The finalists ran the gamut of styles from toning shoes to performance shoes to comfort shoes. Whether you agree or disagree, come rate and review your walking shoes.
1. Winner: Ryn Shoes
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Ryn makes rocker-soled toning shoes with a difference. Unlike the instability built into Skechers, EasyTone, and MBT shoes, the Ryn shoes are stable rocker shoes. They have a wide toe box which can be extra comfortable. The rocker sole enforces good posture. Winner of the 2011 About.com Walking Readers' Choice Awards.
2. Kuru Insight
Wendy Bumgardner © 2011
Kuru Insight shoes are comfort walking shoes with design features that work well for fitness walking. Those with plantar fasciitis or a thinning fat pad on the soles of their feet will appreciate their anatomical KuruSole™ midsole which flexes with each step to support but not flatten the sole. They have an orthotic HeelKradl™ to fit well around the heel and a nice wide toe box.
3. Asics Gel
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Readers nominated several styles of Asics Gel shoes. One favorite in the performance trainer category is the Asics Gel DS-Trainer. The Asics Gel Landreth is also a good performance trainer. These meet the standards for a great athletic fitness walking shoe: flat, flexible and without a flared heel.
4. New Balance Shoes
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Readers nominated several different New Balance shoes. I am personally using the NB 1080, a lightweight yet cushioned performance trainer. New Balance shoes come in widths so those with wide or narrow feet can get a better fit.
5. Skechers Shape-ups
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Skechers Shape-ups broke open the market for toning shoes in 2009-2010. The rocker sole and soft kinetic wedge make them slightly unstable. This combination seeks to activate more muscles to develop balance and posture and tone leg and buttock muscles. Our reader reviews have lovers and haters for Skechers Shape-ups. The voting will be interesting.
