Performance Shoes - Athletic, Trail, Multi-sport, Water Shoes
You might want to check out these in the performance shoes area when you are hunting down that perfect walking shoe for you. Focus on these and forget about running shoes, tennis shoes, basketball shoes, those types of shoes. They're specialized for different types of activity.
... are a type of performance shoes that can provide good support for more active types of walking and running over a lot of different terrain.
You have the choice of waterproof and breathable uppers, insulated liners and removable footbeds. Match your walking and time of year quite easily.
Do pay attention to the sole stiffness and flexing for the type of walking you want to do.
...tend to be used by those young gazelles that like bounding through the forest, dirt trails, up and down hills. The young 'uns that live to put 'performance' into their performance shoes! Don't know about you but ... not quite the type of 'walking' we are able to do!
You can choose shoes here though with great features that might appeal to you. Toe guard for added protection. Dual density midsoles. Lugged, dual carbon outsoles that give you both superior traction and support.
Interchangeable insoles are pretty much standard in quality shoes here.
Want to do a variety of walking in different conditions or use them for different purposes? You might look into these types of performance shoes.
Multi-sport shoes tend to be quite comfortable with more support than say a tennis shoe but much less than a hiking shoe or boot. Durability on multiple 'playing fields' is not always a given.
In a nutshell they are a 'compromise' design. They may do a bit of many things OK but none of them as well as shoes designed for a specific activity. When you buy a shoe designed specifically for one activity you know that the designers have built it to do that job very, very well.
You have to decide if you want to try this route. We love the results of a shoe designed specifically for walking to walk and for hiking to hike.
Water Shoes
"Water shoes? What the heck are water shoes? Never heard of them. If I'm going to the water I'm not usually thinking of choosing shoes. After all..it's Water!"
Yup, water shoes. Sort of a newer kid on the block but very popular. In fact, we're not sure you can always find them in the performance shoes category. You might have to hunt around a bit. Should definitely be in the 'sporty' shoe area though.
These guys are made for working and playing around boats and boat decks, beach activities and play areas that have water! The better ones have special toe protection to keep from stubbing your toe as you work or play.
In fact the built in toe protection idea was developed by Keen Shoes because the founder was a sailor that got tired of stubbing his toes around his boat.
These guys can also have removable insoles again to tailor them to your feet. They usually have a rubber sole for a non-slip grip. Look for those that stand up to salt water if that's where you're going to play!
Needless to say these guys are washable too! Very comfortable and practical if you plan on doing a fair bit of walking and playing along the beaches too.
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Multi-sport shoes tend to be quite comfortable with more support than say a tennis shoe but much less than a hiking shoe or boot. Durability on multiple 'playing fields' is not always a given. 
These guys are made for working and playing around boats and boat decks, beach activities and play areas that have water! The better ones have special toe protection to keep from stubbing your toe as you work or play. 
