Help! Best Shock-Absorbing Walking Shoes?

[WorldTraveler 79]

Hi to all out there,

I'm still 7 weeks out from surgery, but I have started walking daily and low-carbing 2 meals/day.

I currently have Puma shoes that I walk in but I'm feeling exhausted after my walks and I have decided it is the shoes I am wearing as they lack cushion and shock-absorption. My ankles, knees and outer thighs ache during and after my walks , so I ready to buy new shoes for my walks.

Anyone have a shoe brand they swear by that absorbs the shock of weight impact on the pavement? I would love suggestions!

I have tried Nikes (too narrow for me but usually good at cushion). I wore Ryka's a long time ago and can't recall how I felt about those.

Help! Thank you!!

[Chele H 427]

I do not have a pair myself but I have read on several different message boards that Asics gels are great. I have been considering buying myself a pair but they are pricey.

[Kelly Peterson 4]

Brooks are the absolute best. I have had all kinds of feet issues I have wide feet high arches and these shoes have the best comfort I have ever had. I have two pair the first is called Glycerin 11 and the second pair is called Trace 12 they are both awesome!!!

My daughter has the Ghost and loves them too.

[Bandista 7,466]

Get Sole inserts -- they are life-changing. Sole also makes sandals but I have their inserts, too, and can't be without them. Arch support makes the knees and hips line up right.....

[WorldTraveler 79]

Thank you for the suggestions! I think I'm going to get both good shoes and sole inserts.

I plan to try on several shoes to find the best for me, so keep the suggestions coming!

[KristinaRnY 455]

You know it would probably be really worth it to fork out the money and get a fitting and recommendation. I need to do this too.

[mentalistfan 189]

I personally prefer New Balance!

[1Day1Life4Now 882]

I also have wide feet, high arches and add to that a high instep. I have found New Balance to be the best since they have a wide toe box and provide support for high arches. I have smallish feet 7.5 so getting them wide is usually a problem but not so with New Balance. A good fitting is most necessary in order to get the correct style to fit your feet. Good luck.

[CrazyJaney 775]

I love New Balance too. Buy the expensive ones with the wide, sturdy heel. I'm a nurse, besides Birkenstocks (I'm flat footed so I need a hard arch), NB are the only things I could wear.

[CrazyJaney 775]

Oh, I also agree with getting fitted. If you can find a New Balance store, they are usually great. I've also had good luck with running stores. Good luck!

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

I did the 3 day breast cancer walk in 2007. I weighed about 250 at the time. A running shoe store had a podiatrist come in once a week for free consultation. I learned that a soft squishy bottom felt good but I needed a much firmer support shoe. I have a very high arch and my foot pronates or rolls out. It made all the difference to get a shoe to address my unique foot made all the difference. .. I walked those 60 miles in 2 two different pair of the shoes i bought there.

By the way, being comfy in more fashionable shoes is a huge NSV!

[Debbie3sons 1,936]

I can't walk without the walk fit inserts at all in any shoes I wear , also I have flat, wide feet so I used to have to go to a specialty wide shoe to get shoes , now I can walk with my walk fit inserts , loo on line for them and my Mother just bought a pair of memory foam shoes from Skechers on line and I tried them they are very comfortable so look online for those also in Tennis shoes, they also have some memory foam sandles , yes they are a little pricey but worth it , hope this helped and of course new balance is al great.

[Keepgoing247 116]

I love shoes and have Ryka's, Nike, reebok, New Balance but my favorite are my gel Asics. I am an over-pronator and I love how my shoes adjust for that. I don't have anything negative about my other shoes, but if I will be working out a lot or walking a lot. I always chose my Asics. They are my most comfortable shoes I own.

Asics have a lot of styles for all different types of feet and gaits. I strongly suggest getting professionally fitted for the correct model. Professional fitting for any of the brands of shoes is worth it!

[Bufflehead 6,358]

I wear New Balance for other things (aerobics etc.) but my absolute favorite walking shoe is the Clark Wave.Trek. It has a springiness to it -- it makes your footsteps kind of light and bouncy! I can walk on pavement all day in these shoes. Plus they come in colors other than white and black!

http://www.shoebuy.com/clarks-wavetrek/560681

[Kitt3000 757]

I vote Asics . Clarks, Merrill .