How to Find the Best Walking Shoes

About Nicole Pajer

Nicole Pajer is a Los Angeles-based freelance published in The New York Times, Woman's Day, AARP, Parade, Wired, Glamour, People and more.

Walking is a great form of exercise, a reason to get outdoors and a fun activity to do with friends. But walking in the wrong footwear can sometimes undo these benefits, causing foot pain that can take you out of commission. When you head into a shoe store, the options seem to be endless. Running shoes, hiking shoes, sneakers… which ones should you pick? Here’s what you need to know to help you find the best walking shoes for your feet.

Try on shoes in the late afternoon

“The biggest thing to keep in mind is to measure your feet correctly,” says Dr. Audey Nasser, a podiatrist with University Foot Associates. “I meet a lot of patients who don’t have the right size of shoes; they will be off by a whole size or two sometimes.” Nasser always tells his patients that “your foot size may fluctuate a little bit throughout the day” and advises them to try on shoes near the end of the day because feet swell up throughout the day from standing and moving.

Get shoes that are wide enough if you need them

Another issue is the width of the foot. “A lot of my patients I find should be in a wider shoe,” says Nasser. There are a lot of brands that don’t have many wide options, however, like Nike. “People may like the style, but that brand doesn’t have very many wide options,” he says. There are a few brands that specialize in giving you a wider width including Hoka, Brooks, New Balance, and ASICS.

Large shoe stores that have a lot of inventory may have great deals, but they probably don’t have the right shoe for you if you have a wider foot, adds Nasser. “I have a wide foot and I always like buying my shoes online through a manufacturer with a great return policy,” he says. “It’s now very easy to find the specific width of a shoe on a website, and brands like Brooks have a 90-day return policy, and Hoka has a 30-day return policy on them. You can literally run a marathon and return them if you don’t like the way they feel.”

Check the toe space

When trying on shoes, pay attention to how your toes feel at the end of them. “I like a finger-width of room in the toe,” says Nasser. You generally want enough room where you’re not going to be rubbing the end of the shoe, but not sliding back and forth either. It may help not to buy shoes where your toe rubs right up against the front of the shoe.

Ask your doctor if you need a special fit

You also want to consider shoe types and the needs of your feet, particularly if you have flat feet. If you have a flatter foot, for instance, some brands have specific shoes that help raise your foot, or have a high arch, which can help with pronation. If you have foot conditions like hammer toes, bunions or diabetes, you may want to consider a therapeutic shoe. “You can buy them online, but they’re expensive and you want the help of a medical professional to guide you through choosing the right one,” Nasser explains.

Think about ease of putting on and taking off

Shoes that tie may look cute but if it’s difficult for you to bend down and lace up a shoe, you may want to try a non-lace-up shoe. “I like Velcro for some patients,” says Nasser. “They may have really bad arthritis in their hands, and as they age, it’s harder to tie the shoe, so I encourage those patients to look for a brand that has more Velcro strap options.” And some shoe styles are designed to have a snug fit and are easy to slip in and out of, which can also be good options for shoes that are easier to put on and take off.

Consider the material

Pay attention to how a shoe feels on your feet. Is it too stiff? Does it feel hot? If your feet sweat a lot you may want something lighter. “I encourage patients to choose walking shoes made with breathable materials like mesh. These shoes stop moisture from developing throughout the day, so you’re less likely to get Athlete’s foot,” says Nasser.

Don’t buy a shoe that doesn’t fit

“If the shoe you are trying on is not comfortable, don’t buy it,” says Nasser. Plain and simple! You may be wooed by an eye-catching pair or be loyal to a brand but if the shoes don’t feel comfortable in the store, don’t let yourself walk out with them. “Don’t trick yourself into thinking the shoe will work its way in and loosen up over time. It never does,” warns Nasser. “Some people like the way a shoe looks and are willing to sacrifice comfort. It’s not worth it. You do not want to feel uncomfortable in a new shoe.”

_{The above content is shared for educational and informational purposes only. You must consult your doctor before acting on any content on this website, especially if you have a medical condition. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on our site. Reference to any products, services, third parties, or links to third-party websites does not constitute an endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation of such products, services, or third parties by Brookdale or its affiliates.}