Best sneakers for walking...
 

I was recently diagnosed with having bursitis in my hip. After x-rays, shots and several doctor visits, I have started physical therapy, and was told that the sneakers I wore during my walks could have contributed to me getting bursitis. Those sneakers were very, very old, but they fit and didn't look old.
What type do you use? I was thinking about Nike, again, this is just for walking.
Thanks!!

My dtr has arthritis but before she was diagnosed she was going to a bone and joint doctor and went for physical therapy. The physical therapist said that New Balance shoes were good and the higher the number of the shoe ie: New balance 990 the better support. Don't know how good they are but thought I'd pass that on. Hope your bursitis improves.

Women's Athletic - TheWalkingCompany.com

MBT's are not cheap, but according to my wife, they are the best for your feet and walking.

She has those, I wear New Balance.

I have New Balance and they are really good shoes!
I can't remember, but the authentic New Balance need to start with a certain number in the series.

I've heard really good things about Chung Shi shoes and the MBT.

When I had surgery on my foot my ortho. Dr. told me to buy New Balance shoes and that is what I have wore since.

Thanks, everyone!! I appreciate all of the info. The old pair that I had was also New Balance, but I don't know what the number was, or even if it had a number. I really like New Balance so I will probably get those. Thanks for the link shodanusmc, and Patti, thanks for the info about the number...I had no idea.

I'm going to be training for a 1/2 marathon (speedwalking) and I was looking for a shoe. The sites I found said NOT to use crosstrainers...not enough flexibility. Who knew! Now I know why my gate is off when I walk now...

I just got back from my physical therapy, and I asked my therapist which sneaker she would recommend, and she said New Balance for walking.

Keep in mind you get what you pay for. While New Balance are fine for most, (me included) they did nothing for my wife. Since she got the MBT's, she is a different person. Even freindlier to me. Those are the only ones that worked for her, and she came down with plantar fasciitis which lasts a while!

I found the New Balance, MBTs or Shape Ups very expensive but then my mother sent me a pair from Germany, even with the shipping they were still cheaper. And I found some at our Payless Shoe Source, don't know if you have that store in the US.
Anyway, I wear one pair at work and the other on the treadmill. I love them, my back aches less and my posture has improved.

I do a lot of walking...treadmill, around the neighborhood, and I know I clock in at least 8-10 miles per day on every Disney trip. (And can't for the life of me figure out why I am not skinnier.) I know that what shoes work best for people varies from person to person, but for myself, I consider a "good walking shoe" to be one I can wear all day in Disney without it making my feet hurt. In my 20 trips, I have found that the only brand of sneakers this applies to is New Balance and Nike. I have never owned a pair of New Balance hurt my feet. With Nike, it's been hit or miss.

I wear crocks around the house (the tacky rubber shoes) and at work(nursing home) but the rest of the time even if its just running to the store i wear new balance. I just had back surgery wear they fused two of my vertebra together and even i can walk about 40 min without pain

I have sways wore Nike. But I keep hearing commercials that New Balance have a more custom fit. So I'm intrigued to go and see if it'd work for me. We go to Disney World every year and need good walking shoes. Also we have season passes to the Six Flags and Sea World here by our house. We walk every day 3 miles in 45 min to maintain our health.

Everyone has different foot mechanics (over-pronation, under pronation and "normal") high arch, normal arch, flat arch etc), so one shoe might be great for you and not for the next person. It's not so much the brand as it is the "type" of shoe. I am a runner, but this applies to walking shoes as well.

Here is a great link that explains all this and helps you pick out good shoes for "your" foot type.
Shoe Dog: Running Shoes Guide, Shoes Finder, Picking Running Shoes at Road Runner Sports

Just click on the Shoe Dog and it walks you through the types and how to pic out a shoe.

The best way imo, to find a great fitting shoe for someone who is a power walker, runner or hiker, or fitness walker, is to go to a small "specialty" running store (not a chain like footlocker :thumbdown ).
The small stores actually have people that know foot mechanics and will watch and or video tape you walk, or run on a treadmill and suggest the correct type of shoe fit for you. It is worth it do go this route, it really is!

Also, shoes generally (general statement, depends on body weight and type of terrain) last about 300- 500 miles and then they lose their support on the inside before you see much wear on the outside (soles, etc). Usually, if you see a lot of wear on your soles, the shoes have already ended their life span as far as proper support.

I am not an expert, :) but have been running 10 years and learned quite a bit about this through my own trials and tribulations with injuries and successes and doctors and running specialists :) My own running shoes get replaced every 350 miles because that is when I can start to feel the aches from the lack of proper support.