See Our Best Athletic Shoes of 2012 The latest research shows that athletic shoes that overrestrict foot motion may contribute to injuries, and so can flimsy flats. We asked 33 walkers to test more than 100 pairs for the right balance of support and flexibility for any occasion. The result is this list—our picks for the best walking shoes of 2011! To keep your feet feeling good mile after mile, try a bunch on and go with the shoe that feels best on your feet. We walked hundreds of miles in the newest walking shoes to rate them for fit, stability, and—yes—style. Here, our top picks. Walk off 22 pounds in just 8 weeks and get an MP3 player! Best For: Fast Walking This shoe has a superflexible toe that makes it easy to push off and quicken your pace. But no matter how fast you go, the ankle padding will keep your heel snugly in place. "My foot didn't budge, even in thin socks," reports tester Jessica Branch, 45, of New York City. A mesh upper is lined to buffer cold and wind.

Find out how speed walking can help melt belly fat. Best Running Shoes For: Running Intervals Walkers who want to add jogging bursts should opt for a running shoe. This one is designed for high impact but is still flexible enough for the rolling motion of walking. "These shoes were comfortable at any speed; I felt like they really sprang me forward," reports tester Molly Raisch, 23, of Allentown, PA. Turn Your Walk Into a Run Best Walking Shoes For: Hiking These lightweight hikers perform as well as bulkier high-top versions. mens walking shoes leather"They're much more flexible," reports tester Jess Lee, 30, of Brooklyn, NY. buy nike shoes now pay laterThe rugged sole grips as you go up and down hills but is bendable enough that you can keep up a smooth, rolling stride on level terrain. best running shoes in korea

And the reinforced toe area protects your feet from bumps against rocks and roots. See the best hiking gear for women Best Walking Shoes For:: Running Errands These stylish sneakers are lightweight and have just enough arch support to keep your feet comfy when you're on the go. "I wore these for shopping and doing errands--they were just right for everyday," reports tester Eileen Kohn, 48, of Aurora, OH. The full coverage makes them a good choice for spring and fall. Best Walking Shoes For: Overweight Walkersnike flat shoes mens Air pockets in the rubber bottom of the shoe reduce impact for more comfort and less chance of injury. ladies golf shoes cheapEven slim walkers enjoy the extra cushioning, especially for long walks: "No matter how far I went, my feet never got sore," reports tester Jennifer DeLuca, 41, of Brooklyn, NY. best wet weather trail running shoes

The mesh upper lets air circulate so feet stay dry and cool. Best Walking Shoes For: Bunions An ultraroomy toe box and an expandable "bunion window" on the inside take the squeeze off swollen joints and toes. "I could walk longer than usual, because the shoe has a lot of give in the right place," says bunion sufferer Connie Esmond, 63, of Broken Arrow, OK. Your 10 Biggest Walking Pains, Solved Best Walking Shoes For: Feeling Like You're Barefoot Barefoot walking is a growing trend, but these minimally padded shoes protect your feet from the perils of the pavement while giving you much of the flexibility and foot-strengthening benefits of going au naturel. "I liked the narrow sole—it didn't feel at all clunky, like some sports shoes do," says tester Carina Ready, 35, of Casper, WY. To avoid overworking your foot muscles, start with short 15-to 20-minute walks, and increase your workouts by about 5 minutes a week. You'll walk more lightly (minimizing the shock caused by your steps), and the strength you may gain can help prevent conditions such as fallen arches.

Best Walking Shoes For: Dressing Up These shoes have a hip look, thanks to the asymmetrical strap, yet they provide the comfort of sneakers with cushioned insoles and arch support. "I could walk for longer than I can in flats," says Jodi Standish, 32, of Bellevue, NE. "My heels and arches felt great." The leather upper molds to your foot after a few wears for a snug—but not tight—fit. Best Walking Shoes For: Walking Away Foot Pain Mini rubber nubs on the insoles massage your feet as you walk. If you tire of the effect, flip the insoles over—they're reversible and have a smooth bottom side. "This shoe felt as light as a flip-flop and was dressy enough to wear out to dinner," says tester Rachelle Powell, 45, of Mesquite, TX. The tapered heels stay put—no slipping! 10 Common Walking Injuries: How to Ease Foot and Leg Pain Best Walking Shoes For: All-Day Wear These casual sneakers are sturdier than they look, making them a comfy choice for activities such as sightseeing, when you're on your feet for hours.

The sole—made of slip-resistant Vibram rubber—is firm in the back and flexible in the front. "I usually take off my shoes as soon as I get home, but I wore these late into the night without even noticing," says Kristina Donatelli, 39, of Bethlehem, PA. Is It Time for New Shoes? Athletic walking shoes should be replaced after they've logged 350 to 600 miles. If you walk 3 miles 5 days a week, that means every 6 to 10 months. To keep track, write the date you started using a pair in marker on the inside of the shoe's tongue. Get more walking tips! Sign up for our Walk Off Weight newsletterWinter runners get a new option with gaiter-equipped, ground-gripping shoes that Saucony touts can ‘make ice obsolete.’ This is our review of the RAZOR ICE+. Above: Check out our video review of the Saucony RAZOR ICE+A desire to run. Those ingredients this past week gave reason to put a new winter-ready running shoe to the test. Saucony’s RAZOR ICE+ had arrived in the mail just hours before a November cold front.

It was the season’s first snowstorm, and the next morning I laced up in a stark whiteness at the edge of a forest, ready to run. Despite a sleek shell and the look of XC ski boots, Saucony’s cold-weather running shoes feel as comfortable as footwear you wear when it’s warm. Rigid boots they are not. The high-top design is a departure from winterized shoes in a few ways, including a flexible build and a new kind of Vibram sole (more on that below). They are light weight for winter footwear at about 13 ounces per shoe in men’s size 12.5. An immediate caveat: For these winter speedsters you pay a premium. Saucony charges $180 for the RAZOR ICE+ shoes, which came to market in men’s and women’s models this month. The midsole, upper, and chassis are flexible and foot-hugging. They secure on via a quick-lace system, and the inner shoe is made of a thick mesh. All this is ensconced in a thin, stretchy shell. It zips shut to keep snow out and add warmth. Gaiters extend to the ankles to seal out the elements.

Underfoot the shoe gets even more unusual. Its rubber sole has light tread and textured chevrons composed of a new formula, Vibram’s Arctic Grip. The top-secret Vibram compound is a dense rubber that is rough to the touch. The company touts it “sticks to wet ice” better than anything in its class. We have reviewed Vibram’s Arctic Grip on Wolverine winter boots and other shoes. You can read our full breakdown on the product here. On the Saucony shoes, Arctic Grip is a worthy add-on. It is no panacea, however, despite the company’s claim that it can “make ice obsolete.” Overall, the shoes grip well on new snow. On cold ice you can run and slide a little; they are not slip-proof but are a good upgrade over traditional rubber tread. They work best on wet ice and slush. Compared side by side with a regular running shoe on wet ice, the Vibram-equipped Saucony shoes slipped less. While my normal running shoe slide freely on wet ice, the Saucony’s sole nabbed some purchase.

As noted, the solution is far from a cure-all. The rubber sole is not comparable to the grip you get from carbide-tip tread, spikes, Yaktrax, or crampons. But as far as rubber-tread options for winter running, The Saucony/Vibram combo is a good one. I never fell down, despite running miles on snow and ice for this review. It was 20 degrees on my first run in the shoe. Fresh snow piled in the woods, and after a mile on a packed road I headed off-trail. In the powder, very little snow got into the shoes. This was a surprise, as Saucony’s gaiter did not fit tightly around my leg. Despite some stretch and a thin, pliable fabric, the company did not overly elasticize the cuff. It did not cinch tight. A small gap — less than a millimeter — was open all around at the top of the gaiter. I was wearing long underwear and socks; if you have thicker running pants on the gaiter closure will be tight enough to fully seal off the opening. The design makes the shoes comfortable, as no material squeezes the ankle.

But unlike traditional gaiters (which cinch closed) these ones are not snow-proof. But after an hour of hiking and running in deep snow I was surprised to find little powder made its way inside. Despite the small gap the gaiters block 99% of the snow from getting through. This is all moot on trails. Where the snow is underfoot and you’re not wallowing in it Saucony’s gaiter design is strong. Note they are water-resistant but not waterproof. These are running shoes dressed up in a winter coat, not mountaineering footwear. You can bag easy winter peaks with these shoes, however I will be wary to take them high into the mountains for extended time. For warmth, the stretchy shell provides protection from wind and some insulation. My toes got cold on a 20-degree day while standing around and casually hiking in the RAZOR ICE+ shoes. On the run, with your blood pumping, they are warm enough to 10 degrees and below. A note on sizing: Like any shoe, it’s best to try them on before you buy.