The Best Women's Walking Shoes for 2012

If you've made it a goal to get fit and lose weight by fitness walking, the only thing you really need is a great pair of walking shoes. But first, you need to know what type of shoe you need. Shoes are designed for a variety of feet based on arch type and pronation.

If you don't know what type of feet you have, this article on how to find the best walking shoes for your feet will help you determine your foot type and give you recommendations on the proper shoe.

Below you’ll find a list of the best women’s walking shoes. Some of the best brands are Asics, Brooks, Saucony and New Balance women's walking shoes. They are categorized by the specific foot type they are designed for. The Stability shoes offer the most variety because they suit the most common foot type (normal feet, normal pronation).

However, many women with high arches or flat feet can also wear Stability shoes as they vary in their degrees of support and cushioning.

If you have a moderate level of overpronation (when the feet collapse inward too much while walking) or underpronation (feet tend to roll outward while walking), you may be able to wear a Stability shoe.

If you’re wondering what all this talk is about pronation and why it is important, this article on how to find the best shoes for walking will clear things up for you and help you quickly determine what kind of pronator you are!

For example, I have high arches and a Neutral shoe is recommended for those with high arches. After wearing a Neutral shoe for a few days, my arches were aching! I needed a shoe with more stability to counteract my overpronation (excessive inward rolling of my feet). My feet are now as happy and pain free as can be.

The Best Walking Shoes for Women foe 2012

Best Women's Walking Shoes - Stability Shoes (recommended for normal feet and normal pronators, but may be appropriate for some with flat feet or high arches)

	Asics GEL-Foundation Walker '08 - Women's - Shoes - White - This shoe provides stability but is still flexible and comfortable It is lightweight and provides good arch support. They are so comfortable that many women wear them all day long. They have a synthetic and mesh upper which allows your feet to breathe, which is a great quality when wearing them all day or using them for a good walking workout.
	Asics GEL-Cardio 2 - Women's - Shoes - White - This is a lightweight, comfortable shoe. The velcro is perfect for someone who cannot tie shoelaces. It has a nice, roomy toe box and is especially good for people with foot-related circulation issues.
	Brooks Addiction Walker '09 - Women's - Shoes - Off White - An outstanding shoe, especially for those on their feet all day. It provides a lot of cushioning and support too. They are lightweight and comfortable. If you have orthotics, this is a good shoe to wear them with. This shoe is made out of leather so it doesn't have the breathability that other mesh shoes have. So if you are a heavy walker whose feet get hot or sweaty, this isn't the best shoe for you. Instead, choose a shoe with a mesh upper and/or moisture wicking material to keep your feet dry.
	New Balance WW615KM - LUFTC - Women's - Shoes - Pink - This shoe provides great arch support and is well-cushioned. It has a synthetic and mesh upper which means it will let your feet breathe if they get hot or sweaty. This shoe is a favorite of many walkers and is offered at a very reasonable price as well.
	Saucony Grid Omni Walker - Women's - Shoes - White - These are very comfortable shoes that provide good support and cushioning. Walkers love these shoes and they are great for those on their feet all day.

Best Women's Walking Shoes - Neutral Shoes (recommended for high arches and an underpronator/supinator)

	Asics GEL-Resort 2 - Women's - Shoes - White - This is a great looking shoe that is also a great price! It's lightweight and comfortable with good cushioning and a built-in shock absorber.
	Saucony ProGrid Integrity ST 2 - Women's - Shoes - White - This is a very well-made, durable shoe that is offered at a great price. It provides a lot of flexibility, especially in the forefoot. This is a great shoe for those with high arches. They can be worn all day.

Best Women's Walking Shoes - Motion Control Shoes (recommended for flat feet and overpronators)

	Asics GEL-4-To-8 - Women's - Shoes - White - These shoes won high marks from fitness walkers for their high level of comfort. They are also lightweight and provide good arch support and pronation control. The upper is made of mesh synthetic material, which gives your feet plenty of room to breathe.
	New Balance WW812WT - Women's - Shoes - White - This is the newest version of New Balance's time-tested, all-around favorite, the 811. This shoe is made of soft material, making it very comfortable. The rollbar technology offers lateral support, 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 with its Rollbar technology, which provides great lateral support to the foot and prevents the foot from rolling side to side. It is also made with New Balance's top-of-the-line midsole for extra comfort and durability. The are comfortable enough to wear all day long.
	Brooks Addiction Walker '09 - Women's - Shoes - White - This is an all-around fabulous shoe. It is without a doubt, a customer favorite with an enormous amount of positive reviews. If you need a motion control, give this shoe serious consideration. It is comfortable and lightweight, but comes with plenty of cushioning. In fact, many women enjoy wearing these shoes all day so they are perfect for someone who is on her feet all day. Additionally, it will give your feet the extra stability they need and help prevent them from rolling side to side.

Talk with a knowledgeable staff member who can analyze the needs of your feet and make recommendations on shoes that would be best for you. You can even bring in your current walking shoes as the wear pattern can help identify what kind of shoe you will need.

Buy women's walking shoes from a store that allows you to either exchange or return your shoes within the first thirty to sixty days. A pair that feels great on your feet in the store could give you trouble once you start walking in your normal environment.

Remember my Neutral shoes that hurt my arches? They felt great in the store, but when I began to walk on the road, my arches suddenly began to ache. I am glad I was able to exchange them.

Don’t miss these helpful tips on how to find the most comfortable walking shoes.

And if you have narrow or wide feet, here are the top picks for narrow walking shoes and wide walking shoes.

There are many choices for women’s walking shoes. But the best women's walking shoes the ones that fit your feet best. You now have the knowledge to find the pair best suited for you.

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