The Best Walking Athletic Shoes

The Best Walking Athletic Shoes
According to the Mayo Clinic, walking is an excellent low-impact exercise that can help you lose weight and get healthy. Finding the best shoes for you is an important part of starting a new fitness regimen, and shoes with the proper fit can help prevent injuries and help you stick with a walking program, according to "Good Housekeeping" magazine.

Brooks Defyance

The Good Housekeeping Research Institute voted the Defyance shoe, made by Brooks, as the best walking shoe on the market, and "Runner's World" magazine calls it an editor's choice. The pliable shoe includes extra cushioning for the heel and forefoot, adding to its comfort and shock absorption. This shoe is also environmentally sound, as its laces are made of recycled material and the midsole is made of biodegradable material. The Defyance comes in narrow, regular and wide widths,

Brooks Defyance
brooksrunning.com/product/1200521B/Defyance%202

Nike Air Pegasus

HealthMad.com rates Nike Air Pegasus as one of the top walking shoes, especially for people who walk many miles per week. Its extra cushioning provides a comfortable and flexible shoe that helps to lessen injuries and foot pain, according to the site.

Nike has been making the Pegasus for over 25 years, and with its weight at less than 10 ounces, this tried and true shoe is both reliable and light-weight. "Runner's World" called the Pegasus a "Best Buy," and its popularity and longevity attest to that claim.

Nike Air Pegasus
store.nike.com/index.jsp?country=US&lang_locale=en_US#l=shop,pdp,ctr-inline/cid-1/pid-286526/pgid-239378

Brooks Beast and Ariel

Healthmad.com names the Brooks Beast for males and Brooks Ariel for females as one of the top shoes for walking, citing its durability and ability to take heavy pounding. The shoe works for people of all sizes, as it can handle a heavier weight load, according to the site. "Runner's World" calls it "the most stable shoe" citing its wide overlays and extra midsole foam that help support the foot. The Beast and Ariel provide excellent support for walkers and runners.

Brooks Beast and Ariel
Beast: http://www.brooksrunning.com/product/1100521D/123202
Ariel: http://www.brooksrunning.com/product/1200451B/123208/Ariel

Article Written By Ashley Talley

Ashley Talley has been a professional writer for more than 10 years, specializing in travel and health. Her work has been published in "Coastal Living" magazine, "Wrightsville Beach Magazine" and "Choice," an anthology praised by "Vanity Fair" and the "LA Times." She graduated from Brown University with honors and holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing from the University of North Carolina.

Write for Trails.com
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