Runner Up: Asics GEL-Motion
With a seal of approval from the American Podiatric Medical Association, this shoe packs extra cushioning in the heel and forefoot for instant shock absorption. Bonus: The custom-fit sock liner wicks away moisture as you walk. "These shoes were sturdy and look great -- I could walk in them for miles," Sidlar says ($100, asics.com for info).
Our Expert Tester: Kristy Sidlar, 40, Troy, Michigan
Sidlar, a triathlete-turned-walker, logs two or three miles several days a week. Since she got involved with the American Heart Association's Start! Heart Walk program in 2000, Sidlar has raised $25,000 for the cause through multiple charity walks.