Best walking sneakers

scarlett · June 2009

I have a pair of Addidas sneakers that are unfortunately too big and do not offer enough arch support nor heel support. I did a five mile race yesterday and my feet were killing me!

So what do you think is the best sneaker for walking? Something with good arch heel support and not too ugly. What about the Nike Shocks? I have had various New Balances but they seemed to be more for running on soft surfaces, rather than walking on conrete/asphalt.

lo kee · June 2009

Really? I swear by New Balance and I run abt 4 miles 5-6 days a week.

clinton_ave · June 2009

I swear by Jack Rabbit Sports. http://www.jackrabbitsports.com/ There's one in Park Slope and one in Manhattan (Union Square). They'll have you run on a tread mill and assess your running and make a recommendation on shoes to match. I've been running in Asics ever since I went there, and I'm on my third pair and it's been great.

scarlett · June 2009

Huh. Please note that due to knees of an 80 year old, I am a walker, not a runner.

legoflambchop · June 2009

I have always been partial to Nike.......

clinton_ave · June 2009

Ok Scarlett, my apologies. In my effort to be helpful, I gave info for a runner. However, I do swear by Asics for support and think that Jack Rabbits could have you run on a treadmill and recommend the best supportive WALKING sneakers. But that's just IMHO.

nomad · June 2009

Clinton_Ave wrote: I've been running in Asics ever since I went there, and I'm on my third pair and it's been great.

I second the Asics recommendation. I'm on my 4th pair. I wear the Cumulus ones, and I really like them because they have lots of cushioning on the sole.

Don't know if they'll provide enough arch support, but I guess you just need to try them on and see.

Personally, though I think Nike sneakers are cool, for my feet they don't fit particularly well/provide enough support or cushioning for being active. They do look good though for fun/fashion wear.

anastasia beaverhausen · June 2009

I just hire very buff, very handsome men between the ages of 18 and 25 to carry me from place to place.

scarlett · June 2009

Yes, that would have been heeeeeeeeeeeeelarious at the race yesterday when people in hand cranks, wheelchairs and with prosthetic limbs were running, to have me being carried!

anastasia beaverhausen · June 2009

scarlett wrote: Yes, that would have been heeeeeeeeeeeeelarious at the race yesterday when people in hand cranks, wheelchairs and with prosthetic limbs were running, to have me being carried!

That would have been awesome.

populuxe · June 2009

Anastasia Beaverhausen wrote: I just hire very buff, very handsome men between the ages of 18 and 25 to carry me from place to place.

18 is too young. They need to be at least 21 so they can carry you into a bar.

Just sayin'

vanilla · June 2009

like someone already said, go to jackrabbit!

brokechick · June 2009

i also want to pump my fist in support of asics, but they are a new find for me. for years and years i was a saucony girl, and i still think they are far and away the most comfortable walking shoe i've ever worn. my feet are sort of broad through the ball but quite narrow in the heel, and sauconys are flexible enough to accomodate my weird foot shape in all the right ways. but i overpronate, and with the amount of hard walking i do in nyc they tend to become misshapen very quickly, and the tops sort of slide/bend off the sole. reeboks are great for support and last forever, but they aren't as cushy. asics have offered a good meshing of the two so far--but this is my first summer with them, and the serious testing will probably start about now.

heynow06 · June 2009

I came in this thread to say Asics, and I see there's a general consensus! I am partial to Asics Gel styles. You should talk to someone knowledgeable to find out which is best for you!

arieshine · June 2009

Also an Asics fan. Great for wide feet :-)

opossumqueen · June 2009

I have narrow feet and have gotten some great Asics.

This is very subjective. Just go to a sports shoe store or DSW (I've gotten most of my recent running and walking shoes there) and try them on and walk around. You need one that fits your foot and feels comfortable and there shouldn't be gaps around your foot in the shoe.

The problem is that the cuter sneakers (which=less bulky, like Pumas) do not actually have any cushioning. I'm sick of this trend of a little piece or rubber or leather between your foot and the ground--I cannot traipse around the city without some cushioning.

scarlett · July 2009

That's how my ass feels.

hexi21 · July 2009

Thanks for the info. I ordered the asics running shoe and thought I ordered the wrong one as it wasn't a walking shoe so I sent it back. I also find that the Asics are a bit bulky looking.

scarlett · August 2009

Has anyhone tried the rocker bottom sneaks like the Sketchers shape-ups? My ortho and podiatrist both recommended them for walking and my particular issues.

Man are they fugly, but I think most athletic sneakers are fugly anyway.

Went to Jack Rabbit, tried on every shoe. Went to DSW, tried on every shoe. Bought none.

opossumqueen · August 2009

I have not tried the rocker shoes, but I have read about them. What I read was that (obviously) they are not fitness shoes to actually get exercise but are good for specific problems. They will supposedly make your legs really tired if you wear them very long since the design is meant to make you use stabilizing muscles (think knees and ankles) to keep your balance.

I use a rocker board for PT for a few minutes a day and I can't imagine how tired my legs would be if I were on it all day. From what I read, the main reason to use them is if a doc tells you to.

Personally, I hate that they advertise them as a way to skip the gym and still get exercise, what a joke! Also, yes, they are very fugly.

scarlett · August 2009

Do they advertise them like that? I mean I guess whatever gets you out of the house is better than nothing.

My mom was wearing rocker bottoms and ended up messing herself up even more by wearing them on the farm. Turns out the doc never thought she would wear them on uneven surfaces.

Best walking sneakers

Comments

Howdy, Stranger!

Categories