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The 11 Best Walking Shoes for Men, Tested By Experts
These shoes are made for walkin', so that's what you should do.
WALKING IS a great way to step into a steady exercise regimen, even when you aren't feeling a workout. By now, you might have heard that 10,000 steps per day has become the widely accepted daily target to reap physical benefits. But when it comes down to the science, there's nothing magic about that number. Having a numeric goal can be motivating for many, but simply walking more each day can result in huge benefits.
One small study from the University of Texas found that when active people took 5,000 or fewer steps in a day, they were less able to metabolize fat in an artery-healthy way the next day. If you're going to be ramping up your activity, you're going to need some supportive, comfortable shoes. And that starts with following a few guidelines to ensure your shoes are the perfect fit.
Read more: How Men's Health Thoroughly Tests and Reviews Fitness Products
The key mistake you want to avoid: Focusing only on the length of the shoe, says Mark J. Mendeszoon, DPM, FACFAS, podiatrist at Precision Orthopaedic Specialties in Ohio. Measure the width as well. Some brands and specific sneaker models cater better to wide or narrow feet better than others, so it's important to know what you're looking for.
From gold-standard running classics to sky-high cushioned stacks, we've tested it all. For the past few years, MH fitness editors and experts, including Senior Fitness Editor Brett Williams, NASM, have been evaluating athletic shoes on their comfort, fit, support, value, and just how well they hold up to a high step count. We also sought expertise from podiatrists Dr. Mark Mendeszoon and Bradley Schaeffer, DPM, a board certified podiatrist and foot surgeon who stars on TLC's show My Feet Are Killing, to understand the factors that make for a truly great walking shoe.
Once you find the right pair, keep in mind that you should replace them after you've racked up some miles. "It is important to realize that shoes are generally good for 500 to 600 miles," says Dr. Mendeszoon. Even if you're only sporting them for walking.
The more you wear your walking shoes for every day activities, the quicker they'll break down. So having a few pairs of well-fitting walking shoes in your rotation is always a good idea.
Ready to get stepping? Here are 11 of the best walking shoes we've tested.
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Talene Appleton is the Fitness and Commerce Editor at Men’s Health, where she covers fitness, nutrition, health, and wellness. She was previously the Associate Editor of General Surgery News, and a nutrition writer for The Food Institute. Talene is a retired professional dancer, and loves to spend her free time cooking elaborate meals for her friends and family.
Brett Williams, a fitness editor at Men's Health, is a NASM-CPT certified trainer and former pro football player and tech reporter who splits his workout time between strength and conditioning training, martial arts, and running. You can find his work elsewhere at Mashable, Thrillist, and other outlets.
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