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Design Your Own Shoes - Freaky Shoes

The Minimus Prevail takes gym-ready details and wraps them around a true minimalist design. The drop-in midsole, made from New Balance’s lightweight Revlite foam, is thin and snappy, and, when paired with its flat Vibram outsole, offers an ideal combo of comfort and ground-feel for an adaptive trainer. And, while many other gym shoes’ rope-ready sidewalls are climbing higher and their heel counters are wrapping fatter, the Minimus Prevail cross-training shoe moves in the opposite direction, incorporating both super-effective features into a slim, unobtrusive profile. Instead of relying on a TPU overlay for durability, its woven knit upper simply incorporates poly plastic into its fibers. It’s a little less flexible as a result, but still super breathable and supportive. Unlike other minimalist trainers, the Prevail has a relatively narrow forefoot and toe box that will work great for some and not so much for others.

The F-Lite 235 V3 packs quite a bit of performance into a relatively streamlined cross-training shoe—with a plush feel (especially for a shoe with a minimal 4mm heel-to-toe drop) and a midsole that provides good cushioning under the heel and returns a solid amount of energy in the forefoot. The upper also takes advantage of two different types of mesh: a finer, firmer mesh adds rigidity along the outside of the shoe and, along the inside, a more loosely woven mesh adds breathability and flexibility so your foot can move around freely and comfortably. The gum rubber outsole also allows for natural foot movement with its segmented, metatarsal-like channels that run heel to toe. The abundance of durable synthetic overlays will speak directly to CrossFitters looking for extra protection for intense activities, like rope climbs and box jumps, but these lightweight, free-moving trainers should interest anyone looking for something that feels a little more natural (er, barely there) underfoot.

Whether you’re doing a quick plyo workout, sprints on the track, or a combination of the two, the Cloud X could definitely be the right shoe for you. On, a Swiss running company with smart, strategically designed running gear, created this lightweight, no-sew style as a potential solution to all of their runners’ cross-training needs. The adaptive design leverages On’s unique CloudTec outsole, a flexible grid of hollow Zero-Gravity Foam pods that work together to cushion the blow of all the forces joints are subjected to during explosive workouts that incorporate running (forward), jumping (up-down), and lateral (side-to-side) movements. A cushioned, dual-density midsole offers support and flexibility for gym sessions, while also delivering a crisp, responsive ride when you still need it.

Flexible where you need movement and firm where you don’t, the TriBase Reign 3 is as functional as the types of workouts—CrossFit, HIIT and Olympic lifting, etc.—it is designed to support. It’s low to the ground (with just a 2mm heel-to-toe drop), has a built-in heel counter that keeps your foot locked in place while you lift, and gives your toes plenty of space to move around in its breathable knit upper. In addition to providing excellent flex in the forefoot to help you perform functional movements and responsive cushioning for high-impact activities, this cross-training shoe also features TPU and rubber overlays that add extra grip, protection and stability during rope climbs, burpees, overhead lifts and other box-friendly activities.

As a running magazine, we often tout the health benefits of our sport, but honestly, walking is pretty great, too. In fact, research shows that—just like runners—people who walk at a moderate intensity regularly have a lower risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes. Turns out the most important thing is that you’re getting miles in, wherever and at whatever pace you can. And what you put on your feet (supportive, cushy sneakers!) can either make or break that mission. But don’t worry—we’re here to help.

We review hundreds of shoes every year and test the latest foams and materials at our shoe lab. Many of those same technologies are used in these pairs of walking shoes, which gives us unique insight into how they’ll perform and hold up over the long haul. Whether you’re a high-mileage walker, a runner recovering from an injury, or someone who simply wants to squeeze as many steps into your schedule as possible, we’ve found a pair of shoes for you.

Walking shoes are built for comfort, first and foremost. This has traditionally meant that they’re not always the most sexy (or cute even), but we’ve noticed some style strides being made in the category. Brands realize that more and more people are looking for sneakers that are both fun and functional. No matter what they look like, these duds will undoubtedly keep your feet and body happy. Most walking-specific shoes are designed to give you miles of cloud-like cushioning, with support and breathability so you can wear them all day. People with wide feet will be able to find shoes all the way up to 4E in most brands. And it’s worth noting, several classic running shoes can truly work well for both activities.

Walking shoe designs favor support, stability, and, as we mentioned already, comfort (with added breathability). They often have a beveled heel to help propel you forward, a cushier footbed, and an easy entry/exit system, like slip-on styles. All these features make them ideal for walking on rail trails, hitting the gym, or wearing when you’re on your feet all day. Built-in support will keep your feet and joints better protected against impact and fatigue. For people whose feet need more lightweight, flexible shoes, we’ve got options for you, too.

We went straight to the source, asking big brands what styles they recommended most for walkers based on their most popular walking shoes. We also slipped on samples, wearing them while hiking on easy trails, power walking through neighborhoods (often with kids and dogs in tow), and plodding up and down stairs at home. We took notes on how each shoe fared along the way. (And with more than 14 years of professional wear-testing experience, we have to admit, we take pretty good notes.) These are just some of our favorites, but we recognize that everyone and every foot is different. There is no such thing as the perfect shoe for everyone—only the perfect shoe for you. We hope this round-up helps you find it.

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Some shoes, like this one, are designed to put an actual pep in your step. Skechers’ Hyper Burst midsole is a lightweight, resilient foam with spherical cells that compress and rebound as you step. That means the Go Walk Hyper Burst offers next level cushioning while you stride. And it doesn’t stop there—the slightly padded, breathable insole provides even more bounce underfoot. Combine that with the soft, flexible mesh and synthetic slip-on upper (only currently available in men’s style), and you’re all but guaranteed to be feeling good for miles on end.

Less bulky than a traditional hiking shoe but with many of the same high-tech features, the Gateway is great for when your walks take you on both roads and trails. Its lightweight, water-resistant upper kept our feet dry during rainy treks in the Pacific Northwest. The durable rubber outsole provides smart traction for varying terrains, and a thick EVA foam midsole gives you the just-right combination of cushioning, stability, and off-road protection. We also appreciate that this shoe was designed with sustainability in mind—the upper, sock liner, and laces are made with partially (55 to 100 percent) recycled materials and all of its leather components are sourced responsibly.

Built specifically to provide women premium support while they stride, the Perform fully lives up to its name. It offers an anatomically correct insole, with a slightly narrow heel (more secure fit!), a roomy toe box (greater stability!) and super-responsive cushioning (joint-protecting shock absorption!)—all while comfortably cradling your arch and heel. An engineered mesh upper is flexible and breathable, and the strategic tread pattern on the durable, compression-molded outsole helps keep you steady on your feet, no matter how fast you’re moving forward.

Slipping these shoes on after a long run feels akin to falling back onto a luxuriously soft mattress after a long day of travel. The cushy Ortholite footbed features a wave pattern that feels like a gentle massage underfoot, and a padded heel gives your ankle the support it needs to relax with every step. But the best part is the durable Vibram outsole that gives you solid traction to tackle just about any surface, so you can safely and comfortably sport this lightweight clog style wherever (and whenever!) you want. Winter walking bonus: The antimicrobial blended-wool upper keeps your feet warm and dry without overheating.

With wide sizes available, this simple, go-anywhere sneaker is built to make the miles more comfortable for everyone. The lightweight shoe features a breathable, mesh upper; a well-cushioned EVA foam midsole; a sock liner that contours specifically to your foot; and a durable rubber outsole that offers plenty of traction for all your daily treks.

There’s a reason New Balance lists the Fresh Foam 1080v11 in both its running shoe and walking shoe categories. Although the lightweight, super-cushioned shoe is technically cut out for hitting the road pretty hard, it is also incredibly comfortable for cruising along with a good podcast (or friend). With an 8-millimeter drop from heel to toe and a bouncy foam midsole, the shoe offers plenty of support regardless of your pace. And the soft, bootie-like construction hugs your foot for a secure fit.

The Mizzles gives you all the eco-friendly perks of Allbirds’s popular Wool Runners—a soft, breathable Merino wool–lined foam insole, a flexible sugarcane foam outsole, and non-slip natural rubber treads—with the added benefit of a water-repellent technology, called Puddle Guard, applied to the fabric upper. So your feet are guaranteed to stay comfortable, warm, dry, and well-grounded while you run—er, walk—around town, no matter how much rain is in the forecast or how many errands (or tourist spots!) are on your to-do list. They’re also available in a cool high-top style (the Runner-up Mizzles) and a run-friendly one (the Dasher).

You’ll notice yourself standing a little taller and walking a little softer while wearing this shoe. Despite its height, the women’s-only Pace is not too heavy, with a well-cushioned EVA foam midsole and a plush, padded heel and tongue that are guaranteed not to rub you the wrong way as you move. A strategically designed footbed provides extra arch support and shock absorption at the heel. Plus, both the shoe’s structure and the tread on its durable rubber outsole are shaped to help propel you forward with every step. Bonus: Its fabric is lined with anti-odor technology, so goodbye, stinky feet.

If you’re after a cloud-like feel, your search ends with the Bondi 7. Maximum cushioning comes courtesy the beefy EVA midsole that accounts for much of the 27 millimeter stack height in the forefoot (29 millimeters in the men’s version). That’s several millimeters taller than similar shoes, and chances are you’ll notice that extra height only after you feel the plushness underfoot. New in the seventh generation Bondi is a memory foam heel collar that secures the foot and surrounds the Achilles with soft padding. Despite the ventilated mesh upper, testers reported the thicker material wasn’t fully breathable. But at a moderate walking pace, you might not notice. For a workplace-ready shoe that can deliver all-day comfort, opt for the Bondi SR, which comes with water-resistant, full-grain leather upper and a slip-resistant rubber outsole.