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Getting 30 minutes a day of physical activity isn't always easy. You're probably exhausted after spending the day commuting to and from work and dealing with business meetings, coworkers and customers. While it's not easy to will yourself off of the couch and away from that precious bag of potato chips, a lighter walking shoe will make working out less painful and might even motivate you to exercise more. Whether you're hitting the gym or hoofing it to work, these walking shoes make the perfect exercise buddy.
For Speed Walking
If you're looking to shed some pounds or just raise your heartbeat for a few minutes a day, speed walking is an excellent option. To enhance your ability to walk fast without sacrificing comfort, you need a shoe that's both light but shock-absorbing. Women's Health recommends Nike Air Max 369. Not only is the shoe light as a feather, but it has air filled pockets that absorb shock to prevent damage to your knees and help you push off the ground, increasing your agility.
For Hiking
Whether you're an outdoorsy chick who likes to hike or a gal who opts to get her steps in on a treadmill, you're going to need a tough walking shoe that's prepared to handle the elements. The Hi-Tec Quadra Life is an excellent walking shoe that appeared on Walking.org's Top 5 Walking Shoes for 2011 list. They have great grip for tougher, less smooth terrain and plenty of ventilation -- plus, they're super lightweight.
For General Performance
No matter your preferred walking terrain, a good walking shoe is invaluable. Some shoes are multifunctional and suit both heavy activity and casual wearers -- these kind of shoes are ideal for women who only want to purchase one pair of sneakers for all activities. For ultimate comfort and versatility, Walking.org recommends Merrell Intercept. It's lightweight and comfortable, plus it offers complete support of your foot with a built in insole (which means you won't feel achy after long walks).
Tips for Buying Waling Shoes
Buying the right shoe is no piece of cake since there are a lot of factors that affect fit; What socks are you wearing? Which foot is bigger? To avoid getting a pair of shoes that doesn't fit quite right, always try them on with the socks you'll wear when you're walking. If one foot is larger than the other, you need buy a pair that fits the larger foot. Make sure that there is about 1/2 inch between your biggest toe and the front of the shoe and make sure your heel does not slip when you walk.
