Need help choosing a good walking shoe/sneaker!

There are "rocker" shoes that supposedly work your leg and rear end muscles faster than with regular walking shoes, although the jury is still out on any evidence (at least that I've been able to find).  That said, I do have a pair, but find them only good on packed or paved surfaces, and not good for walking in place or on rougher surfaces -- the rocker part makes them less stable and also on softer surfaces the rocker benefit doesn't seem to be there, and with in-place walking they aren't as stable.  But if you want something for walking on hard surfaces, I think they're great; whether my butt is better toned is debatable but I do seem to feel the walking more.

I would go to your shoe store(s) of choice and just try on shoes until you find a pair that fit really well and are very comfortable.  You shouldn't need to "break in" new shoes -- they should be comfortable from the get-go.  Walk around the store as much as possible, and find out their return policy -- I bought my "rocker" shoes from a store that allowed me to return them even if I tried them outside.  At least be aware of the policy so you can test them inside, if nothing else, and return them if you change your mind.

I'm a barefoot girl from the day I started walking (ask my mom -- I was always taking my shoes off and losing them) so I march with Leslie barefoot, but I'm not sure that's the best approach.

If you have a quality sports store nearby, it would be worth talking with them to see what guidance they can give you.

Good luck, and good for you for exercising!!

I wear Asics very well, myself....they are probably the most reasonably priced brand that never gives me any trouble.  But they are right....go in and try them out.  Make sure you can bend the sneaker though for sure - stiff sneakers are NO fun!  A decent store will have the sneakers classified (walking, running, cross training).

My two cents on the fitness sneakers with the weird soles. Some love them, I got shin splints almost immediately.  I also read that there was an increase in cases of leg issues because of them.  Not worth the cost, I feel.

Of course you can go into a 'walking store' and ask for help and then shop around for a better price!  Sometimes you can find things online cheaper too...once you know your brand and size!

panda, I think it's a very personal choice, but I walk several miles a day on paved country roads, and when I bought a new pair of running shoes, I got another pair of what I'd put so many miles on --  the basic Adidas running shoe.  They're a great combination of supportive and flexible.  If I was doing more off-road walking, I'd probably pick up a light hiking shoe.  Merrill makes some very light and flexible ones. 

As far as cost, I second figuring out what you want then checking eBay, Amazon or other major on-line sources.  Also, do you have an outlet mall nearby?   They often have athletic retailers like Adidas, Nike, etc.  Check the markdown racks first.  You may find a perfect choice on closeout.  Deanna

Take care at outlet stores: most major brands have a "special" (read lesser quality) product for their outlets, not just a cheaper version of their higher quality product.  I was sorely disappointed at finding this out. 

iodine, good point... it sells listed as the same model as the specialty stores, but has poor quality materials, not as much support, etc.  I have wonky feet (narrow heels) so I don't mind spending the money for good shoes.

I actually have running shoes for walking in the woods, plus hiking boots for more challenging walking/hiking (mountains, etc), and rockers for paved areas.  

Brooks was one of the first companies to make running shoes for women so I've always been a fan (not that I run now).  They still fit me well, but I really have to try on a bunch to make sure I've got the best possible for my feet.

I bought Brooks shoes. they have support for the insole in different stypes. Very nice and comfortable. I have used them with the walking video and have not had any trouble. My advice is to go to a good shoe store and have them fit you with shoes. Make sure that you get a salesperson with training. That makes all the difference. Good luck.

Day, I haven't tried the vibram 5 fingers, but I have heard many good things about them.  They are as close to walking barefoot as possible.  

I have MBTs (the original "Rocking" shoe) and they are amazing. My legs feel like I've done a heavy workout if I wear them all day.  But the latest and greatest I have heard about with sneakers have been the vibram 5 fingers and nike free and good old converse. The latest "news" in the workout world is barefoot running and walking. Anything that simulates barefoot walking or running is better for your overall health.   I now wear converse 90% of the time but still love my MBTs for walking. For running I wear my nike free.

Paradoxical as it seems, the flexible and soft feeling may actually be straining your feet and everything on upwards is poorly supported. I thought I was pampering myself with crocs at the end of a long day, when in fact what I needed (by clinical prescription!) was Mephisto dead-rigid shoes for a year, from the time I woke to the time I went to bed. When I'd worn them into the ground, the plantar fasciitis was healed and I went to less spendy but similarly inflexible Fitflops, Those won't be good for walking in the woods, but the idea of the non-twistable sole is worth thinking of.

I personally find I hyperextend my knees when I walk and my knees and back hurt, while a running gait even at walking speed is more comfortable because I absorb the impact over more muscles, so for exercise, I "run" (some people walk faster). My fit is Adidas Ride (fits my high arch, has decent heel cushion, not too flexible, comes in long sizes), but don't go by anyone else's brand. All the shoes are right for someone, but none are right for everyone. Runner's World website has annual reviews of shoes in various categories and advice on matching shoes to foot needs.

If you don't know enough about your foot to interpret the classifications, a good running store that carries multiple brands will have staff that can look at the way your foot moves when you step. They advise walkers as well as runners and they won't judge you just because you walk. They just want people off the couch. They can narrow down to which part of each manufacturer's product line suits you and then help you compare different brands for YOU. (By a "good" multi-brand store I mean a serious running store where they also sell water belts and energy beans and foam rollers and antichafing products. Not that you're buying those, although you might, but they'll indicate that you you're in an athletic store, not a chain store that sell sporty looking fashion "kicks" to teenagers.) Once you know "your" brand, you can follow them year to year as the product line evolves, go to their exclusive store or shop directly from their website. 

Definitely ditto the advice to look at marked-down last year's model of the shoe that suits you best. For people who aren't performance runners, the only difference you'd notice is the colour. You might worry the store will push the full price new one on you but in fact they do have incentive to sell you those instead of the pricier new ones because they want to clear them out. You can also identify the best shoe based on the current models from the store stock and "think about it" then go home and try to get a marked down pair of the last year's model from their website.

I'm pretty new to exercise myself, but very pleased with the many benefits (I ache less, have less asthma, and everything looks firmer). I hope you find helpful ideas in the thread to hit the road when the weather warms up. 

There is a great article in Fitness Magazine this month about picking shoes.

Walking shoes have a rounder bottom (unlike running and cross trainers) and keep the foot more stable for the type of impacts walking producs.

You might want to check out the article.  Well worth the price of the magazine, they even make recommends.

I also use Brooks addiction running sneakers, for my first pair I was fitted at a shoe store now I just buy them online either from zappos or online shoes, I google and look for a special. Full price they are about 100 dollars a pair but I can often find them around 77 dollars a pair. I have much less knee pain and can walk or exercise much longer while wearing them. I have wide flat feet.