High-performance footwear: power up your walking or running workouts with one of these new shape-tested shoes - GearUpDate

Shape, April, 2004 by Sarah Bowen Shea

If you're picking out a good walking or running shoe, your top priorities should be comfort and performance. Some of the basics:

* Walkers and runners who are 20 pounds or more overweight will probably prefer a shoe with ample cushioning.

* If you like to feel the road beneath you (some runners and walkers swear it makes them faster), choose a shoe with slightly thinner midsoles and less voluminous cushioning inserts under the heel and forefoot.

* If you're an overpronator--meaning your feet roll inward excessively when they hit the ground--you need a shoe with motion control inserts for stability. Simply look at the heels of your everyday shoes, and if the inner-heel area is wearing down faster than the rest of the heel--bingo! You're an overpronator. This is true of many people with low arches or flat feet.

To help you figure out which shoes have the features ideal for you, we had 76 Portland, Ore., women try out 23 new-for-spring models of walking and running shoes. Based on criteria like fit, stability, cushioning and soles, we narrowed the field to the 12 standouts that follow.

RUNNING

details               best suited    comments
                      for

adidas Supernova      Marathoners,   * "I've never had a shoe feel so
Cushion, $85          10k-ers, and      snug and comfortable in the
best all-around       first-time 5k     heel!"
Shock-absorbing       runners who    * "Well-cushioned yet firm."
inserts under heel    want soft,     * "The support was perfect for all
and forefoot. A       flexible          of my running distances."
unique two-layer      cushioning     * "The ventilation kept my feet
outsole puts a        and whose         cool on long runs."
spring in your        feet don't     * "Fit was roomy, yet my foot still
step. Midfoot         roll inward       felt cradled."
support system and    excessively
Quickstrike           (overpronate)
technology help
foot roll naturally
through stride. Airy
mesh upper.

Nike Shox Turbo,      Runners who    * "Shox provided strong bounce
$100                  want extra        back."
best cushioning       spring in      * "I felt like I was running on a
Four columns of Shox  their running     trampoline, yet had no fear of
cushioning under      stride and        falling!"
heel (which can feel  don't need     * "These shoes gave me great
too high for some     motion            traction on all surfaces."
runners). Durable     control;       * "One of the best long-distance
shock-absorbing pads  overweight        shoes I've worn."
on outsole.           runners; or
Stretch-mesh inner    those with a
"sleeve" gives upper  heavy heel
a snug fit through    strike
midfoot.

Asics GEL-Foundation  Overpronators  * "Most comfortable running shoe
Plus, $90             who need          I've ever worn-and I've worn a
best stability        serious           lot!"
Extra-firm midsole    motion         * "My foot remained stable at any
material prevents     control over      speed, on any terrain."
feet from rolling     lots of miles  * "Arch support was in perfect
in. Ample cushioning                    balance--adequate but not too
under heel and                          much."
forefoot. Available                  * "Very stable and smooth."
in narrow and wide,                  * "Great shock absorption."
up to size 13 (tends
to run a half-to
full-size small).

Ryka Solace, $60      Mild           * "I could run for miles, and my
best value            overpronators     feet would still feel great!"
Well-engineered for   looking for a  * "The heel really hugged my foot."
a woman's foot.       dependable,    * "My feet felt comfortable, secure
Design of heel and    comfortable       and well-supported."
extra-firm midsole    shoe           * "Excellent impact protection."
provide stability                    * "The secure, snug fit boosted my
and control                             confidence while running."
overpronation. Well-
cushioned in heel.
Outsole can slip a
bit on slick
pavement.

honorable mentions Saucony 3D GRID Hurricane 6, $120; Puma Complete
Tenos, $90

WALKING

Nike Air Stun, $75    Walkers who    * "The shape of the sole made
best all-around       are looking       walking easier by giving me a
New outsole design    for the           little roll."
and deep forefoot     cushioning     * "Just the right amount of
grooves help foot     and motion        flexibility while still offering
roll through each     control of a      a lot of support."
stride. Extra-firm    running shoe   * "Great impact protection, even on
midsole material      but the           hard pavement."
controls              heel-to-toe    * "This shoe let me move more
overpronation. Firm   roll of a         quickly and with more agility."
Air Bag under heel    walking shoe
provides resilient
cushioning. Runs
wide.

Reebok Walk DMX       Loyal-to-      * "I could power walk long
Max, $70              leather           distances without my feet
best cushioning       fitness           getting tired or sore."
New cushioning        walkers who    * "Excellent arch support."
system works by       want           * "The cushioning and the outsole's
moving air from       responsive        slight forward tilt kept me
heel to toe and       cushioning        walking in comfort."
back. All-leather                    * "I liked how the leather molded
upper (which some                       to my foot."
walkers find too                     * "Great traction on wet pavement."
hot). Midfoot bridge
provides solid arch
support. Available
in wide sizes.

Saucony GRID Energy,  Fitness and    * "Really cradled my feet."
$75 most versatile    casual         * "Most comfortable walking shoe
Two versions: one     walkers           I've ever worn."
with extra motion     looking for    * "Stable but roomy fit."
control and support,  lightweight    * "Great arch support."
the other with extra  support and    * "I liked the 'bounce' these shoes
cushioning. Both      cushioning        gave me."
come with padded      in an
insert under heel,    all-leather
midfoot support       shoe
shank, all-leather
upper.

New Balance WW646,    Walkers        * "Great support in heel and arch."
$65 best value        looking for a  * "So comfortable, they felt broken
Shock-absorbing       light, fast       in immediately."
insert under heel.    shoe who       * "Held my heel snugly in place but
Lightweight,          don't need        didn't cramp my toes."
flexible midsole      motion-        * "I walked longer because my feet
cushioning (though    control           felt so good!"
not substantial       inserts
enough for
overweight
walkers). Airy
mesh upper.
Available in three
widths and
extensive size
range.

honorable mentions New Balance WW940, $90; adidas Clima Walk, $75