Best Walking Shoes for Women

The best walking shoes for women are shoes that are comfortable and fit correctly. Poorly fitting shoes are not only uncomfortable, but they can lead to blisters and calluses.

How do I know if the shoe fits correctly? You want your walking shoe to be snug everywhere, but have enough room to wiggle your toes. You should have space between your big toe and the front of your shoe– 3/8-1/2 inch or the width of your thumb. Your heel should not slip out as you walk.

Tips on Choosing the Best Walking Shoes for Women

Shop late in the afternoon. Because you are more likely to have been on your feet all day, your feet will be their largest. Doing this will help you increase the chances of a good fit because you are unlikely to buy a shoe that is too small.

Pick a great store. While you can get shoes almost anywhere, a specialty shop may be beneficial. Sales associates at a running/ walker store are more likely to run/ walk as well. The associate may also recommend what he/ she thinks is the best walking shoe for women. The sales associates will also measure your foot and can look to see what type of foot you have. The best walking shoes for women need to match the shape of foot you have. Some shoes are best for flat footed people, while others are best for people with high arches.

Bring socks. Make sure to bring a pair of socks that you will wear with the shoes. Socks come in many different thicknesses and will affect fit.

Style. Some shoes are more dressy than others. If you need to walk a lot at work you may want a shoe on the more comfortable side that provides support.

Comfort. Shoes should feel comfortable on your feet right away. If they are not comfortable in the store, they are unlikely to be comfortable at home. Make sure there are no pressure points that will rub and irritate your foot.

Price. While you don’t need the most expensive shoe in the store, you probably also don’t need the cheapest. As shoes get more expensive the quality of the materials improves. A $75 dollar shoe is definitely going to be better than a $15 dollar show

Breathability. You are going to sweat when you walk. If your shoes are not breathable, you mat get blisters or athlete’s foot due to all the moisture. On the other hand, if it is really cold where you live, you may want a lees breathable

Orthotics. Many people get orthotics thinking that this will make it less likely that your feet will be sore from walking. However, custom made orthotics may reduce the cushioning in your shoe and actually make them less comfortable.

Consider running shoes. Yes, you can use running shoes for walking. Running shoes generally provide more cushioning in the heel and will offer more comfort if you are a fast paced walker.

Your shoes should not need to be broken in. Your shoes should feel good on your feet right away. If they don’t feel good walking around the store they are not likely to feel good in a week.

Here are some of the shoes people have told us they like best. Please let us know what you think!