Published on January 23rd, 2016 | Best Walking Shoes for Women 2016 I’m now at an age that when I tell people I have rheumatoid arthritis, I no longer hear, “Oh, you’re too young to have RA,” which we all know is just plain silly because toddlers get RA (and by we,  I mean the RA community).  Now people categorize my arthritis as the normal wear and tear osteoarthritis that their great-aunt has–I guess I’m old enough to have arthritis now. Even I get confused when an ache or pain hits a new joint.  Is it an RA flare-up or just the wearing down of an overused knee or hip? But one thing’s for sure, I want to stay active as long as I can. I’m an older mom with young kids. I want to be able to dance at their weddings. I’ve tried jogging and love the cardiovascular workout and endorphin rush, but my knees nixed that crazy endeavor, as did my rheumatologist. So I returned to what I do best: I walk. While my friends do crossfit, hot yoga, early spin classes and kick-boxing, I walk.

I really do wish I could participate in those activities to challenge myself, but I know my limits. It’s something I can do with relatively little pain, hopefully for a long while. Last week I got a little crazy, forgot my limits and reinstalled the couch to 5k app on my phone and started to jog ever-so-slowly when the nice lady told me to. Two days later, both hips started acting up. I worried that I’d need a hip replacement by February and feared I wouldn’t be able to stand at my son’s graduation, which isn’t for four more years, but you know how one thought leads to another. I slowed down that train of thought and went back to walking–feeling a bit discouraged, yet thankful it’s the one activity I can count on for now. I do pay for a gym membership in the winter so I can walk the track safely without slipping on ice, but come spring, my walking shoes become my gym membership as I head outdoors. Currently, I enjoy walking the track in my Asics GT-2000s. They’re running shoes, but I love the cushioned insole, excellent arch support and room for my toes and they are a great candidate for walking shoes for women.

I’m a mild over-pronator with a fairly high arch, and these fit my feet perfectly. But what other shoes are favorites among walkers with foot problems? Take a look at the best walking shoes for women 2016 as chosen by the Barking Dog.  And if you have a favorite walking shoe, please leave a comment–it’s helpful to other readers. Best walking shoes for women with moderate overpronation: Saucony Grid Omni Walker These walking shoes for women has been around for at least 10 years and is a favorite among overpronators with it’s combination of stability and cushioning. nike football shoes chinaThe Omni Walker will accommodate an orthotic and comes in multiple widths. market price of puma shoesLet’s see what online customers say:puma sports shoes and price

From a FootSmart Customer: for $90, free shipping and returns; $90 at Zappos, free shipping and returns; Best for fitness walking shoes for women: Rykä Devotion (Winner of the Prevention Magazine Shoe Award for best “all-day comfort.”) I’d also recommend the Rykä Devotion for those with knee pain or back pain–the cushioning can’t be beat! This fitness walking shoe is constructed with RE-ZORB, Rykä’s proprietary cushioning technology. nike jordan shoes reviewsRE-ZORB can be found throughout the length of the midsole and the cobblestone pods on the outsole to provide even extra cushioning and comfort. nike original shoes priceWhat customers are saying:best trail running shoe on the market

Available in medium and wide widths at Zappos for $75, free shipping and returns; $23.99-90 at Amazon with free shipping. Best for hammertoes or peripheral neuropathy:  New Balance 411v2That’s the toe box in these walking shoes for women by New Balance. If you have hammertoes, bunions or an orthotic that requires more room than your average shoe, the NB 411v2 is the answer. The soft fabric lining won’t irritate sensitive toes from neuropathy. Available in three widths at Zappos for $64.95, free shipping and returns. Best for Underpronation (Supination, or rolling the ankle outward) Asics Gel-Evate 3 Feet that underpronate often have high arches and need excellent cushioning and shock absorption. The Asics Gel-Evate 3 has just that with its rearfoot and forefoot gel cushioning and a FluidRide® midsole. Although billed as a running shoe, the Gel-Evate 3 works as a walking shoe too. This shoe provides a snug fit and is recommended for medium to slightly narrow feet.

I have a high arch and these give me the cushion I need to be comfortable. These are perfect shoes for a mild underpronator, like me. Available for $119.95 at Zappos, $46-155 at Amazon, free shipping and returns. Best for feet that suffer from plantar fasciits and forefoot pain:  Abeo Rocs A true rocker-bottom walking shoe, Abeo Rocs are similar to MBTs (if you’ve ever worn those before), with all of the same benefits with a lower price point, and they happen to be more lightweight! A rocker-soled shoe is recommended for those with forefoot pain due to Morton’s neuroma, bunions, metatarsalgia and rearfoot pain due to plantar fasciiitis. Available at The Walking Company for $99 with free shipping. Best walking shoe slip-on: Skechers Performance Go Walk 3 Have you had surgery on knees or hips and can not possibly fathom tying your shoes? Or do you just have bad knees or back and need a cloud-like cushion between your achy self and the pavement? The Skechers Performance Go Walk collection provides instant relief.