Sole Searching

By MARK FENTON, TOM BRUNICK and CAMELA ZARCONE

April 6, 1998 12 AM PT

WALKING

The Rating System

Using information from the dedicated wear testers at the Athlete’s Foot R&D; Center (whose comments appear with each review), along with our internal evaluations, we’ve made more Editors’ Choices this year than ever. They’re followed by other real standout shoes, but all that we reviewed here are viable choices; it’s a matter of matching your needs and wallet to the right shoe. That’s why each shoe is graded on seven qualities (many, of course, perform well in more than one category):

Speedsters are lightweight, with mesh uppers and a flexible, low-profile midsole for fast walking.

Pounders offer durable cushioning for heavy-gaited walkers who crush midsoles.

Fit shoes offer at least two widths; we mention if more.

Overpronators have firmer cushioning or hard plastic posts under the inside of the heel to slow excessive inward roll.

Bargain Hunters offer good performance for the price, especially for walkers without special support or cushioning needs.

All-Day Wear shoes have a good mix of walking comfort and support.

Walk / Run shoes have adequate cushioning for occasional runs, up to five miles per week.

--WALKING

Buying a pair of walking shoes gets easier all the time. Demand from walkers has made walking the biggest category for many shoe manufacturers. Sporting-goods stores are carrying more styles. It’s great news for consumers: There’s something for everyone--as long as you know what you’re looking for. That’s where we come in. This comprehensive shoe guide will help you find the best pair at the best price, whether you’re a casual strider or a race walker, hard on shoes or easygoing, blessed with a perfect gait or a total biomechanical disaster.

$85 AND ABOVE (Editors’ Choices)

NEW BALANCE 840

$100

Especially Good for: Speedsters, Fit (three widths), Overpronators, Walk / Run

* Still one of the best performance shoes on the market; good blend of support, cushioning, flexibility and speedy profile.

* Built on the SL-2 Last, which many women like for the additional volume through the forefoot and arch area. Solid support for overpronators with a graphite roll bar on the medial (inner) side.

Comments: “Very comfortable, exceptional support in the upper.” “Cushioning was very good.” “Especially liked the support in the heel area.” “Shoes held up quite well.”

ADIDAS EQUIPMENT BAREWALK

$85

Especially Good for: Speedsters, Overpronators, All-Day Wear, Walk / Run

* Sports Adidas’ new Feet You Wear design, to mimic the natural motion of the foot; wear testers felt it lived up to its billing.

* A sculpted dual-density C-EVA midsole is cupped around the heel for support against mild overpronation. Very flexible up front, supportive through the midfoot and arch. Brings you closer to the ground than many other designs, ideal for speedier walking.

Comments: “The cushioning is good, but not too much--feels like you are walking barefoot.” “Wow.” “Great support. My feet overpronate, and the arches are nice and high.”

$85 AND ABOVE (Other Standouts)

NIKE AIRSORB

$85

Especially Good for: Speedsters, All-Day Wear

* Innovative air cushions are built right into the removable innersole; allows for an ideal low-profile midsole for walking with a flexible, well-cushioned ride.

* Well-beveled heel and forefoot flexibility are great for speed.

Comments: “You can feel the air. . . . One of the most comfortable shoes I have.” “Cushiony but supportive, especially under the arch.” “Good for fast workouts.”

REEBOK DMX RUN / WALK

$100

Especially Good for: Speedsters, All-Day Wear, Walk / Run

* A distinctively cushioned ride: DMX-10 air pods in the sole transfer air between the heel and forefoot as your weight shifts.

* DMX-10 makes for great cushioning, but adds a little to weight and stiffness.

* Great athletic styling; spiffy see-through out-sole may not wear quite as well as black rubber.

Comments: “I love the sole thing!” “Cool and comfortable.”

NIKE AIR SERTIVE MAX II

$95 (men’s also)

Especially Good for: Pounders, All-Day Wear, Walk / Run

* PU midsole surrounding heel and forefoot air bags provide great durability for midsole crushers, but add weight and stiffness.

* Ample cushioning for occasional running.

Comments: “Style is very clean and simple. Support is excellent.”

NIKE AIR MAX RACEWAY II

$110

Especially Good for: Pounders, All-Day Wear, Walk / Run

* Nike’s maximum-cushioning shoe, with two air units and a combo EVA / PU midsole for durability; great for midsole crushers.

* Lighter athletic upper, with synthetics.

* Tongue design could bother wide feet.

Comments: “Very sturdy and had great traction.” “Feels like you’re walking on an air mattress.”

$70 to $80 (Editors’ Choices)

WILSON TW4040 CS

$80

Especially Good for: Pounders, Fit (three widths for women, two for men), Overpronators

* Solid, supportive shoe, with a one-year guarantee on the Goodyear Indy 500 Plus out-sole; ideal if you wear through out-soles fast.

* A hard plastic insert will add midsole durability and a firm feel, but also a bit of weight.

Comments: “Out-sole held up well, but the midsole was too firm.” “Support was excellent.” “Most comfortable shoe I’ve worn.”

SAUCONY GRID MOTION

$75

Especially Good for: Speedsters

* Great combination of forefoot flexibility, low heel profile and midfoot support (thanks to their instep bridge).

* Saucony’s highly regarded fit--ample forefoot, narrow heel--for women.

Comments: “Comfortable since I first put them on.” “Feels like I’ve had them for years.”

NATURALSPORT FUSION

$80

Especially Good for: Fit (three widths), All-Day Wear

* The only midcut athletic walking shoe on the market--not a cross-trainer, but good for added ankle support, occasional use on exercise machines or workouts with some side-to-side movement.

* Good if you wear orthotics or have narrow heels; heels don’t tend to slip out.

* Comes in low-cut version, the Velocity.

Comments: “Support was really good.” “The heel was narrow.” “Sometimes midcuts rub my ankle bones. . . . These didn’t.”

$70 to $80 (Other Standouts)

ETONIC EON WALKER

$75

Especially Good for: Fit, Overpronators, Walk / Run

* A great performer; air units in the heel and forefoot aid cushioning and midsole durability. Hard plastic TPU post on the medial side supports even the worst overpronators.

Comments: “Very comfortable and light.” “Excellent support--I’d recommend to anyone with instability in the foot.”

NEW BALANCE 751

$75

Especially Good for: Speedsters, Fit (three widths), Overpronators, Walk / Run

* Dual-density EVA midsole to slow proration.

* Built on the SL-1 Last, with less volume in the forefoot than New Balance’s 840, but available in three widths.

* Flexible; well-cushioned enough for occasional running.

Comments: “They had lightweight flexibility.” “Very comfortable.”

ADIDAS SOLO E

$70

Especially Good for: Speedsters, Walk / Run

* A lightweight, flexible shoe with a low profile and mixed synthetic leather / mesh upper; great for performance walking.

* Adidas’ AdiPRENE cushioning in the heel.

* Dual-density C-EVA midsole and heel cup lend support for mild overpronators, but may be too flexible through midfoot for severe overpronators.

Comments: “Cushioning was good, very soft and bouncy.” “Very comfortable.” “Good heel support.”

REEBOK 3D VOLITION

$75

Especially Good for: Speedsters, Walk / Run

* New 3D Ultralight midsole / out-sole creates an extremely lightweight and flexible shoe; synthetic leather / mesh upper.

* Trades off some midfoot support for light weight, but a great design for speedy walkers without foot problems.

Comments: “I love these shoes.” “Cushioning was great.” “Adequate width in the forefoot.”

ROCKPORT PRO-WALKER MOTATION

$80 (men’s $100)

Especially Good for: Pounders, Fit, All-Day Wear

* C-EVA midsole conceals an innovative wave-shaped shank from heel to midfoot, improves resilience, support and durability of midsole, but really increases weight.

* Midsole / out-sole is contoured to help balance its thickness and stiffness.

* Extended heel counters should aid mild overpronators.

Comments: “Too much support in the arch.” “Cushioning above average . . . support excellent.”

BROOKS BREZZA

$70

Especially Good for: Speedsters, Fit, Overpronators, Walk / Run

* Wide forefoot, Brooks HydroFlow cushioning in the heel (should aid midsole durability), low-profile midsole and athletic leather / mesh upper a big hit with wear testers.

* Dual-density C-EVA good for mild overpronators.

Comments: “Lightweight and plenty of cushioning.” “Support is excellent.” “Fit is perfect.”

EASY SPIRIT RW-1

$80

Especially Good for: Fit (four widths), All-Day Wear

* Great fit options, with four widths from AAA to EE and sizes up to 13.

A soft, flexible shoe (even through the arch), ideal for hard-to-fit, healthy feet--but not overpronators or those needing plenty of support.

Comments: “Lightweight.” “In my top 10 shoes.” “A soft midsole . . . comfortable.”

REEBOK OUTBURST DMX

$70

Especially Good for: Pounders, Fit, All-Day Wear, Walk / Run

* Unique feel of air flowing between the heel and forefoot chambers in the sole is a big hit with many wear testers; improved durability.

* The downside is a thicker, less flexible midsole (though a beveled heel and smooth bottom improve the heel-to-toe roll); less stability for overpronators.

Comments: “I love the DMX cushioning.” “Very solid shoe, great base of support.” “Fits well. . . . forefoot is more than adequate for a wide foot.”

SAUCONY GRID INSTEP

$70

Especially Good for: Walk / Run, All-Day Wear

* Signature Saucony fit great for many women; a wide forefoot and narrow heel.

* Instep bridge provides support through the shank of the shoe while keeping a lightweight, sleek midsole for speedy walking; all-leather upper is less athletic.

* Adequate cushioning for occasional running.

Comments: “Very comfortable, have good support and fit well.” “I’m completely satisfied.”

ROCKPORT LOGAN

$70 (men’s, $75)

Especially Good for: Fit (two widths), All-Day Wear

* Despite traditional all-leather upper, has midsole construction and feel of an athletic walking shoe, with width options.

* Great volume and comfort in the toe box.

* Probably not suited to high-performance or hot-weather workouts.

Comments: “Support is great.” “I don’t like the high tongue. . . . [It pushed] on my ankle.” “Fit is good; cushioning, OK.”

NIKE AIR DENTE II

$70

Especially Good for: All-Day Wear

* Air unit in heel for enhanced cushioning and durability gives great performance for the price.

* An athletic midsole but largely leather upper (with some mesh); is not optimal for highest performance walkers.

* Not wear-tested.

* The full review of “The Complete Shoe Buyers Guide” appears in the March / April issue of Walking, which is on newsstands until May 1. To subscribe, call (800) 266-3312.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Finding the Shoe That Fits

Most manufacturers can help you find a local retailer who carries their shoes and may even be able to help you find a specific model.

Adidas (800) 448-1796

Asics (800) 678-9435

Avia (888) 855-AVIA

Brooks (800) 2-BROOKS

Etonic (800) 334-0008

Natural Sport (800) 766-6465

New Balance (800) 253-SHOE

Nike (800) 352-NIKE

Reebok (800) 648-5550