ObesityHelp

While they do make mostly clogs, Dansko does have other shoes.  They are, without a doubt, the best shoes to wear all day long.  Although I don't believe they make work out shoes.

MBTs (Masai or Maori Barefoot Technology) are also really great.  When their patent expired, Skechers started making the rocking bottom shoes.  MBTs are much better (and also much more expensive, like about $250 - $300 a pair).  When I was having foot problems, they were about the only shoes I could wear.

I love "Keen" brand shoes. I've been wearing the "Presidio" model and my feet have never felt so good and I could walk all day in them and not have tired achy feet. They are a bit wider in the ball of the foot area which accommodates my strange feet and they also form fit to your feet like Birkenstocks, this is great if you have high arches. Here is a link to their web site:
http://www.keenfootwear.com/us/en/

I pretty much stick to New Balance and Asics...

I can tell you two that aren't: Easy Spirit Traveltime and Propet Travel Walker. The Easy Spirit is a slip on which I love and the WW is big enough to fit the cushioning insoles I had to put in. The Propet is super lightweight but seriously lacking in cushioning. They're both excellent for knocking around, but I desperately need a good shoe for the gym.

 I am a barefoot girl, I hate arch support, it cuts off the blood to my toes and generally just feels gross on my foot!  So that being said, my shoes of choice are 

Tried to drag pictures but I have no love at all when I try to do that



http://www.vibramfivefingersksoshoes.com/images/Vibram_Five_Fingers_sprint_Blue_Grey.jpg

I get tons of questions asked about them.  I use them for going in the pool, at the gym and walking outside.  The soles protect my feet from city stuff, just as well as any other pair of shoes would. 

You do have to 'work' your way into them because you use different muscles walking/running in them than you do with overly supportive runners. 

They have wacky colors but I don't mind that, there is plain black too if you want to sneak them under your pants :) 

Gypsy

. My foot is a little wider and Saucony brand shoes fit and feel the best on my feet.

I love my Brooks running shoes (used for walking). They're neutral, which is good for under-pronaters like me. Very comfy and light.

Since you can't get to a running shoe store, maybe you could do some research on pronation, maybe try out one of those Dr. Scholl displays to see how your feet distribute your weight when you stand, and go from there.

Shoes for people who overpronate (walk more on the inside of their feet) tend to have a more pronounced curve at the arch area of the sole. Many will also have a change in color along the sole part--white to grey, for example. Shoes for people who underpronate (walk on the outside edges of their feet) have a straighter line from heel to toe without the curve at the arch and will be one solid color.

I bet if you posted to a forum on Runner's World or Cool Running and explain what you're looking for and that you have no access to a running shoe store, you'd find some people who could help you determine what you need.

One other thing too--if you're going to be doing a lot of walking, it's best to go up a size because your feet swell as you exercise. You want the shoes to be comfortable throughout your work out (or walk) and having them too small can cause rubbing and blisters. OTOH, if your feet are wide, you may be able to get away with only half a size up, especially the brand goes wide enough.

Wishing you much luck!

Wow! This is some fantastic information. Thanks a ton for posting this response.

I really paid attention to how I walk today when I was just casually walking the dog, and I think I underpronate. I apparently have a lot to learn about shoes and walking!

Also, I believe you are right that I could go up half a size because by the time I'm finished walking, I definitely "notice" my toe****ting the front of my shoe. No blisters or anything like that, but I do pay attention to it after a while.

I'm going to check out the cool running site and see if those peeps can help too.

I've never tried on Brooks. Sounds like I need to!

I've heard good things about Merrill also. I don't care about pretty at the gym, but I do snicker a little at the people that come in with the whole matching outfit, along with shoes......I know, wrong. I personally don't care what I look like when I'm working out. The goal is to sweat, and that generally ain't pretty!

No walking store near, it's about 100 miles away.

Honestly, besides my feet, my knees are my second biggest worry. They do bother me sometimes, and I can definitely feel the impact on them when I'm walking.