Features To Covet

• Lightweight so you can lift your feet and glide easily.
• Low-profile heel so it's easier to roll through your foot.
• Soles that arenít too thick so you can bend at the ball of the foot without having to work too hard.
• Flexible forefoot that allows the shoe to bend where your foot does, not at the arch or any other odd place.
• Sturdy and supportive heel "cup," which is the area at the back of the shoe.
• Snug heel cup that locks your heel in place without binding or sliding to avoid blisters and callouses.
• Roomy toe box with a thumb's width between your longest toe and the end of the shoe to be able to spread your toes and hear them say "aaaah" when you move.
• Toe box "height" so your toes can flex upward and not be confined when you land on your heel.
• Breathable uppers, such as ones with mesh inserts or air holes.

Variables To Consider

A Total Fitness Network Truth from Therese: Don't be tempted by running shoes because you want to "look" like a runner or because you "might" run someday. And don't be tempted to wear your cross-trainers, aerobic shoes or whatever other shoe you have in the closet because it's "just walking." Walkers feet have different protection and support demands. Protect them and support them with the right shoe!

Features to avoid:

• Gimmicky bells and whistles in the sole that make it thick, inflexible and heavy.
• Flared outsoles like some running shoes.
• Narrow toe boxes (you get enough confinement in dress shoes).
• High-cut achilles pads behind your upper heel that might cut into your achilles when you bend your ankle.
• Lugs and bumps on the bottom of the shoe that might catch on the ground or carpet and send you flying.