Whether you’re always on your feet at work, traveling, running errands or walking is your main form of exercise, having a comfortable and supportive pair of sneakers is the key to happy feet. No we’re not talking about the adorable, animated penguin movie.
While many experts will say that shopping for walking shoes online isn’t as ideal as going into your local shoe shop to try them on in person, sometimes going into the store isn’t always possible. Be that time, convenience or even laziness — we’ve got you covered.
In an effort to make sure your shopping experience for a new pair of walking shoes is a positive one, the New York Post spoke with Dr. Miguel Cunha, podiatrist and founder of Gotham Footcare in New York City to get the lowdown on the best options on the Internet. Cunha has extensive training and experience treating a wide array of foot and ankle conditions from minor problems to complex reconstructive foot and ankle surgery.
Taking the time to find the best pair of walking and running shoes for your foot type can mean all the difference. According to the Asics website, “around four in five runners risky injury in shoes that don’t suit their running style.”
“Wearing the wrong shoes may lead to problems such as lowered performance, discomfort such as in plantar fasciitis and runner’s knee, injuries, and even early-onset arthritis,” Cunha said. “On the other hand (or other foot, pun intended), shoes designed to compensate for the impact of your feet can help prevent injuries and improve structural alignment and performance.”
For extensive information from Cunha about what to look for when shopping for walking shoes online, check out our FAQ section towards the bottom of the article. First, let’s get to shopping!
“These shoes are the most cushioned shoe in the HOKA road-shoe line and are one of the most comfortable shoes around. The Bondi SR line has a thick well padded EVA foam midsole that makes long walks comfortable with every step,” Cunha told The Post.
Available in both black and white and ideal for daily life. These sneakers are recently updated with water-resistant leather and a slip-resistant outsole.
“These shoes have a soft flexible midsole with superior cushioning for shock absorption for supinators with high arches,” Cunha said.
As a personal owner of the Brooks Ghost 15 sneakers and someone with higher arches, I can attest just how comfortable and durable these shoes are! Not only do they feel great on your feet but they’re so cloud-like that you forget you’re even wearing shoes. Great for long runs, running errands and everything in-between.
Snag these in a variety of colors and sizes on Amazon or directly on the Brooks website.
“The forefoot of this sneaker is designed with a well-cushioned FF Blast Plus footbed and anatomical arch that is firmer and denser on the medial side of the shoe to support and hold the plantar fascia and prevent it from collapsing to minimize fatigue and pain associated with over-pronation,” Cunha said.
Featuring a low-profile external heel counter, this piece comfortably cradles your foot with advanced rear-foot support. Available in more than 20 different colors.
When it comes to a smaller budget, Cunha recommends the Saucony Cohesion 13 sneakers for a less expensive but durable pick.
“These walking shoes are spacious, comfortable, they provide excellent ankle and arch support, and best of all they only cost $40,” he said.
If you’re willing to spend a little bit more money, Cunha loves the New Balance MADE in the USA 993 Core sneakers.
“These shoes are expensive but they are an investment as they are designed to last. The NB 993’s provide increased durability, cushioning, shock absorption, and a rigid heel counter for ankle stability,” he said.
“The Hoka Clifton 9 comes in standard and wide-width shoes that are comfortable and supportive to accommodate feet that are wider or [those who] have bunions,” Cunha told the New York Post.
Get the Hoka Clifton 9 sneakers in many different colors and enjoy the ninth iteration of the popular shoe that are lighter and more cushioned than ever before.
For a sustainable and trendy option, you can’t go wrong with the Allbirds Women’s Plant Pacers.
“The Plant Pacers are well constructed and eco-friendly plastic free shoes made of plant leather uppers and recycled polyester lining,” Cunha said.
“These shoes are stylish, comfortable, and designed to be the most lightweight fully cushioned running shoes available,” Cunha said.
If you can’t stand being weighed down, On Running’s Cloud 5 sneakers are the way to go in Cunha’s book. Available in 18 different colors and made of 44% recycled materials.
With warm weather around the horizon, it’s always good to have a pair of durable sandals that can be worn on long walks.
“If you have flat feet you overpronate (which means your arch collapses more than it should) I recommend wearing the Chaco Z/2 Classic Sandal,” Cunha said. “This sandal has arch support to minimize arch fatigue and discomfort, as well as a slight heel lift to reduce the stress and pain affecting the posterior tibial and achilles tendons, which is commonly associated with arch pain.”
Ahead, Dr. Cunha provides insight into the foot and sneakers world.
To determine your foot type look at the soles of a pair of worn-in pair of shoes. The wear patterns illustrate where you are accumulating pressure when you walk. Certain foot types are more prone to specific types of foot discomfort and foot related injuries. For instance, people with plantar fasciitis, achilles tendonitis, shin splints, or inner knee pain, tend to have flat feet and be pronators, which means your feet roll inward. People who commonly sprain their ankles or have outer knee pain in contrast, and tend to be supinators because they have higher arches and roll outward.
There are three wear patterns to look for in your shoes.
- If your shoe is worn out in this area you’re a supinator or an underpronator. With this foot type you will need cushioning sneakers for shock absorption.
- If your shoes are evenly worn you are neutral and have an average gait with equal weight distribution across the foot. With this foot type you need stability or moderate-stability sneakers, which offer a balance of cushioning and support.
- If you notice that your shoes have the top inner edge worn, you’re a pronator. With this foot type you need motion-control or high-stability sneakers to keep your feet better aligned with your legs.
If you are a supinator, look for shoes with soft, flexible midsoles and look as if they don’t have an arch but are rather filled in with more sole and cushioning as this foot type doesn’t provide enough shock absorption on its own. When picking a running shoe pick one with extra rubber incorporated into the sole which translates to a smoother and bouncier gait. When picking a shoe for cross-training, pick a shoe with flexible grooves in the sole to facilitate ballistic pivoting and cutting.
If you’re neutral, fortunately, with this type you distribute weight evenly across your feet so motion control is not as critical as stability. A lightweight shoe that bends just to the ball of the foot will be sufficient enough to offer a good balance of cushioning and support. When picking shoes for cross-training, pick shoes that have soles that look slinky which help put an extra spring in your step. When picking shoes for running look for a shoe that provides traction and reduces instep strain.
If you’re a pronator, look for shoes that have the presence of a dense supportive arch which helps provide reinforcement and keep the arches of the foot from collapsing. These shoes tend to be fairly stiff and will flex only near the toe area. When picking shoes for cross training choose a side a wide toe box allows for comfortable lateral movement as pronating feet will collapse and spread within the shoe. When picking shoes for running, pick a shoe with stabilizing roll bars to help protect the arches.
- Wear the shoes around the house or running errands for short periods of time and gradually increase usage
- Wear thicker socks or double up on socks initially
- Try stretching shoe spray and shoe stretchers
- Use a hair dryer to heat up the shoes for 2-3 minutes while wearing them to help them expand
For more content, check out the New York Post Shopping section.