The Best Rated Walking Shoes for 2012

The best rated walking shoes for 2012 offer top quality materials, maximum comfort and great overall value. They are designed with the needs of a fitness walker in mind. They have been crafted with the latest technology to provide the right amount of support, cushioning and flexibility.

These best rated walking shoes have been judged by the experts, such as the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine. They’ve also been rated by hundreds of fitness walkers on their comfort and durability.

I've created best rated walking shoes lists for both men and women so read on to find your perfect pair!This year's list included some time tested favorites that have been popular for years. In addition, there are newer styles and updated versions of styles from last year's list.

The Best Rated Women's Walking Shoes for 2012

	Asics GEL-Foundation Walker '08 - Women's - Shoes - White - This shoe gets high marks for its comfort and durability. They are comfortable enough to wear all day and are perfect for a normal foot-type (normal arches and pronation). They are lightweight with good arch support.
	Asics GEL-Cardio 2 - Women's - Shoes - White - This is a good shoe for anyone with foot-related circulation issues. It has a big toe box that makes the shoe feel roomy, yet lightweight and comfortable too. It has velcro straps, which is perfect for someone who cannot tie shoelaces.
	Asics GEL-Resort 2 - Women's - Shoes - White - With it's great price and great looks, this shoe is a great choice for someone with high arches. Walkers love that this shoe is comfortable with good cushioning and is made with a built-in shock absorber.
	Asics GEL-4-To-8 - Women's - Shoes - White - This shoe provides good pronation control, making it a good choice for anyone with flat feet or anyone who needs a more supportive shoe. This shoe is also very comfortable, lightweight and provides good arch support. The upper is made of mesh synthetic material, which will give your feet plenty of room to breathe.
	Brooks Addiction Walker '09 - Women's - Shoes - Off White - This is a great shoe to purchase if you are going to insert orthotics as it will definitely accommodate them. It is also very lightweight and comfortable to wear. It is one of the most highly rated shoes and is especially great for anyone who is on their feet all day. It has been on my list of best rated walking shoes for years now and never disappoints.
	New Balance WW615KM - LUFTC - Women's - Shoes - Pink - With great arch support and cushioning at a great price, this shoe is a great choice. It has a synthetic and mesh upper which means it will let your feet breathe if they get hot or sweaty. This shoe is rated highly by many walkers.
	New Balance WW812WT - Women's - Shoes - White - This is the newest version of one of New Balance's customer favorite, the 811. It is made from soft material, which makes it very comfortable. New Balance's Rollbar technology is built-in and offers your foot lateral support. This lateral support prevents your foot from rolling from side to side, which is important for those who need pronation control. It is also a great shoe to wear if you'd like to use an orthotic insert.
	New Balance WW846WB - Women's - Shoes - White - New Balance made this shoe using its Rollbar technology, which provides great lateral support to the foot and prevents it from rolling side to side. It is also made with New Balance's top-of-the-line midsole for extra comfort and durability. Walkers report it is comfortable enough to wear all day long.
	Saucony Grid Omni Walker - Women's - Shoes - White - Another great choice if you have to stand on your feet all day. They provide good support and have plenty of cushioning. Those who wear them give them high marks for comfort.
	Saucony ProGrid Integrity ST 2 - Women's - Shoes - White - Another well-made, comfortable shoe that is offered at a very affordable price. It has a lot of flexibility, especially in the forefoot, making it a great choice for someone with high arches or who needs a flexible shoe. Many women report that they are comfortable enough to wear all day.

The Best Rated Men's Walking Shoes for 2012

	Asics GEL-Resort 2 - Men's - Shoes - White - This is one of the most comfortable walking shoes, offering great support and shock absorbency. ASICS® added its High Abrasion Rubber for increased durability. And, you can't beat the great price for this shoe.
	Asics GEL-Cardio 2 - Men's - Shoes - White - This is a good choice for someone suffering from foot-related circulation issues. It has a nice, roomy toe box and moisture wicking material for enhanced breathability. This shoe is comfortable and durable and made with a soft leather. This shoe is built with a rocker action midsole that helps the walker maintain stability.
	Asics GEL-Foundation Walker - Men's - Shoes - White - A very comfortable shoe that is lightweight, with lots of cushioning. Asics uses a memory foam in the heel collar which helps the shoe form a customized fit and prevents your heel from slipping out. Many walkers wear these shoes all day. Walkers also report that this is a good shoe for someone with a wide width foot. All in all, this shoe is a great value offered at a great price.
	Asics GEL-Tech Walker Neo 2 - Men's - Shoes - White - With so many great reviews by fitness walkers and with such a low price tag (less than $80!), this is a great walking shoe and is new to my list of best rated walking shoes. If offers good cushioning, shock absorbency and pronation control. It is made with a medial bunion window so it's a great choice if you have bunions.
	Brooks Addiction Walker - Men's - Shoes - Black - This is absolutely one of the highest rated walking shoes there is, especially for someone who is on their feet all day. It's a favorite among my best rated walking shoes list. Brooks built this shoe with an extended diagonal rollbar that provides great stability. Although is isn't the most attractive shoe, it's a great choice if comfort is highest on your list.
	New Balance MW615GB - Men's - Shoes - Grey - Another great walking shoe from New Balance. It is durable and comfortable although some walkers mentioned that this shoe runs a bit small. This shoe is made from a synthetic and mesh upper that allows for great breathability.
	New Balance MW812WT - Men's - Shoes - White - New Balance recently updated one of its most popular walking shoes, the 811. The 812 is the updated version and received high marks for comfort and durability.
	New Balance MW846WN - Men's - Shoes - White - Asics's used its Rollbar technology in this shoe which prevents the shoe from rolling from side to side, which is a great feature for someone needing pronation control. It's an attractive shoe with a moisture wicking lining that helps keep feet dry and reduces contact points which means fewer blisters.
	Saucony ProGrid Echelon LE - Men's - Shoes - White - A comfortable shoe that is lightweight with plenty of cushioning. Many walkers wear them all day. They can accommodate orthotic inserts as well. Most men who wear them say they will purchase them again. The most remarkable thing about these shoes is that most of the walkers who bought this shoe reported that they would buy it again.
	Saucony Grid Omni Walker - Men's - Shoes - Black - An extremely comfortable shoe that provides good stability and support. It is recommended for those with diabetes as well as those with Plantar Fasciitis. It provides good shock absorbency and cushioning, making it comfortable enough to wear all day long.

These best rated walking shoes fit the needs of fitness walkers. They are also well-known name brands that use quality materials. And most of them can be purchased for less than $100. It may be tempting to purchase a discount shoe, but if they are made from inferior materials they can wear out quickly which could in turn cause blisters or other skin injuries to your feet.

It’s important to remember that the best walking shoes for your feet are the ones that fit best and are the most comfortable. This means that you don’t have to be bound to this list of best rated walking shoes. If you find a well-made shoe that fits perfectly but isn’t on this list – buy it!

Take some time to visit an athletic footwear professional at a great fitness shoe store. They are more than happy to discuss and analyze your needs as well as the shape and design of your feet.

An analysis of your feet will identify which type of shoe you need. For example, those with high arches often need a neutral shoe. Those with flat feet typically need a motion control shoe and those with a normal arch can wear a shoe with some stability.

So you see, choosing the right shoe involves more than finding a good color and a great price. It even goes farther than selecting a shoe from this list of best rated walking shoes for 2012. You should know what foot type you have and select shoes specifically designed for your feet.

Make your purchase from a store that has a good exchange policy. Although your shoes should feel comfortable when you try them on, they may become uncomfortable within a few days of using them under your normal walking conditions. A reputable athletic store will allow you to bring them back and find your perfect pair.

Here are some helpful tips to help you find the most comfortable walking shoes. Taking the time to find the best rated walking shoes that fit your needs and the shape and biomechanics of your feet is well worth the extra effort. Your feet will feel great and you’ll be able to walk longer because of it. And that will make you feel great too!

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