Skechers History

Skechers is a relatively young company, founded in 1992 by Robert Greenberg, who had previously founded LA Gear in 1983. It is based in California on Manhattan beach. The main focus by Skechers is to create performance and lifestyle footwear. For years, Skechers has been producing supportive and comfortable footwear.

1993 saw the release of Skechers first ‘big hit’ the Chrome Dome. A unisex urban street boot that was made looking worn and scuffed it appealed to the young trendsetters as well as the rising grunge look.From the Chrome Dome Skechers grew from strength to strength releasing new, innovative styles to appeal to the casual athletics market for everyday wear. In 1997 Skechers went global and became one of the UK’s first stockists, only a year later in 1998 Skechers had 2,200 accounts worldwide and 20 of their own brand stores.

Skechers created its GOrun line of running shoes in 2011, and a number of remarkable kicks have come from the line since.Skechers made its commitment to high-performance running shoes clear with the lightweight GOrun lineup. The company was no longer making athletic shoes that you could run in—it was making running-specific shoes designed for your daily miles.Skechers created a ton of buzz with the release of its Hyper Burst foam on the GOrun Razor 3 Hyper in late 2018. This creates irregular-shaped pockets in the foam, making it lighter and bouncier than normal EVA while keeping its durability. That durability extends to Skechers’s outsoles as well, which use high-traction Goodyear rubber.

Skechers is now a global leader in footwear. With more than 3,000 styles designed, developed, and marketed for men, women, and children.All the products  are made in China, Mexico, Brazil and Romania.

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Two Best Skechers Shoes for Daily Walking and Running

1.Skechers Arch Fit

Price: $95

Skechers Arch Fit shoe delivers the ultimate solution for all-day comfort. This lace-up features an engineered mesh upper with removable Arch Fit insole and a lightweight cushioned midsole.Walking on various pavements has been easy and worry-free with the Arch Fit. Thanks to its grippy outsole, this pair kept us on our feet even on slippery surfaces.They’re designed to meet your needs in fashion and general performance.This sneaker offers plush underfoot that makes our all-day striding on the streets easy and comfortable. Its chunky midsole, meanwhile, is remarkably firm. As we pound the streets, it compresses a little and keeps our steps stable. 

Arch Fit does not only work best on flat feet but also on various kinds of foot problems. This sneaker is podiatrist-approved footwear.Arch Fit shoes by Skechers are the stop points when you’re looking for comfortable footwear in which you can walk or stand all day.

2.Skechers GO RUN Ride 9

Price: $130

The Skechers Go Run Ride 9 is a remarkably lightweight and versatile mid-cushioned road running shoe.It continues upon the highly successful neutral daily training model that Skechers received a lot of praise for in the last few years,but upgraded for even more fun and comfort out on the roads. The enhanced engineered mesh upper design has a new streamlined look and is more breathable than previous Ride models. It comes with even more Hyper Burst foam (adding about a millimeter to the shoe’s stack height) for an even more cushioned ride.The outsole has also been restructured for better flexibility and a smoother ride, but the Goodyear rubber grip still delivers unrivaled traction. Overall, the Ride 9 is an excellent daily trainer that will meet the needs of a lot of runners.

New Balance History

New Balance traces its origins back to 1906, when William Riley founded New Balance Arch Company in Boston and began selling arch supports for shoes. The company didn’t make its first pair of sneakers until 1938, but New Balance quickly earned a reputation for high quality. Its first breakthrough came with the release of the Trackster running shoe in 1960, which was designed to fit feet of different widths—a novel idea at the time. By 1976, New Balance’s 320 running sneaker became the number one shoe on the market, and cemented the company’s status as a global leader in running.

What also sets them apart is the wide range of shoe widths from A to E.  The New Balance 990 is their hallmark shoe and was developed in 1982 for a balanced blend of stability, cushioning and flexibility.  The 990 exemplifies the core philosophy of New Balance and continues to be a steadfast for the company.It’s still a popular model today, and one of the main shoes in the company’s “Made in USA” series.

As one of the largest sporting manufacturers in the world, New Balance has been in business for over 100 years, producing iconic sneakers and clothing some of the world’s most ambitious athletes along the way. New Balance has kept itself firmly in the game by producing exceptional sneakers that are hailed for their comfort and quality.

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Two Best New Balance Shoes for Daily Walking and Running

1.New Balance Fresh Foam 880 v12

Price: $134.99

The New Balance Fresh Foam 880 v12 is a versatile and comfortable running shoe for easy-paced daily runs.It sports a dual density midsole with soft Fresh Foam X under the heel to provide cushioned landings and a denser foam in the forefoot to provide snappy take-offs. A generous blown rubber outsole delivers excellent traction and improves the shoe's durability.A smooth, double jacquard mesh upper maintains the 880's lightweight feel, and it breathes easily to keep you comfortable in warm weather. In summary, the New Balance Fresh Foam X 880v12 is a good evolution of the model, despite some criticism of its upper. It will be suitable if you are looking for a more comfortable shoe than it is efficient.

2.New Balance 877

Price: $99.99

Designed for keeping up with busy lifestyles, these remarkably light Men‘s New Balance 877 Walking Shoes offer superior cushioning and a minimal style that makes them a popular choice for daily walks, light workouts and everyday errands.

These Comfortable Walking Shoes Are Crafted With A Stylish Suede/Mesh Upper For An Everyday Athletic Look Inspired By, Rubber Sole, Imported, Mesh, 100% Suede.With the options of several width selections, it can accommodate most foot shapes and custom orthotics, braces, and prosthetics.Its ABZORB cushioning provided impact reduction AND helped alleviate the sharp pain we experience when we’re on our feet too long.If you’re looking for an all-around walking shoe you can take to work, special occasions, and casual strolls - this should be your best bet.

Hoka History

As a high-performance footwear riposte to the then raging barefoot running craze. HOKA was founded in 2009 by French trail runners Nicolas Mermoud and Jean-Luc Diard.Mermoud and Diard wanted to bring a similar “floating feel” to running. They initially made prototypes themselves and worked with a chemist at a Chinese shoe company to develop an entirely new kind of EVA foam that was soft and surprisingly lightweight—characteristics that are now hallmarks of Hoka kicks.

HOKA running shoes are known for their oversized midsoles and smooth rides, making them ideal for a wide variety of running and training.HOKA was fully acquired by the Deckers Outdoor Corporation in 2013 and came under the stewardship of industry force Wendy Yang (a former professional tennis player）in 2015.

The brand has a sizable 1.4M social community and has been covered by the likes of CNBC, PR Newswire, AP News, Outside Business Journal, Triathlete, and NBC News, among several other media outlets. Hoka running shoes quickly became beloved by all kinds of athletes for their enhanced cushioning and rigid stability. Hoka also sponsors several athletes, including professional runners Stephanie Bruce, Thibaut Garrivier, and Scott Fauble. 

The best HOKA running shoes share the same roots, but designers tune each model for specific attributes. Originally built to help carry momentum forward, the new generation of HOKA does that and so much more.

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Two Best Hoka Shoes for Daily Walking and Running

1.Hoka One One Bondi 7

Price: $160

The most cushioned HOKA road shoe available, the Bondi 7 delivers a smooth and balanced ride. Engineered with the same full EVA midsole, breathable mesh upper and signature Meta-Rocker technology as its predecessor, the Bondi 7 is updated with a plush collar designed to accommodate a narrower heel - and conform to a wide variety of ankles.

Bursting with an astonishing level of comfort, this walking shoe delivered superb coziness to our feet even after wearing it all day. This shoe took comfort to the next level for its well-cushioned construction that gave us a pillowy ride. Their oversized midsoles and thick stack heights provide a level of cushioning that no other brand can match and their marshmallow-soft midsoles provide bottomless cushioning while feeling much lighter than they look.

The HOKA Bondi 7 isn't just the most cushioned running shoe in HOKA's formidable lineup—it's one of the best-cushioned running shoes of all time.

2.HOKA Clifton 8

Price: $140

The latest in the award-winning Clifton franchise, the Clifton 8 continues to deliver the perfect combination of soft and light. Crafted with a lighter, more responsive midsole and the same ride characteristics, the Clifton 8 features a streamlined silhouette and updated upper made from engineered mesh.The Clifton 8 is an extremely versatile shoe that will carry most people through any type of run they choose to embark on.The immense EVA foam cushioning remains a highlight and true selling point of the shoe, with the added benefit of durability in the latest iteration of the range.Overall, the Hoka Clifton 8 is a solid option for any runner whether they are just beginning or they are training for the upteenth race.

Allbirds History

Allbirds is a footwear and apparel company that was begun by Tim Brown, a former professional soccer player (footballer) from New Zealand. Brown began engineering a wool sneaker from New Zealand wool in 2014 with the help of a research grant and a Kickstarter campaign. Brown founded Allbirds in 2016 along with biotech engineer Joey Zwillinger and their first product was the Wool Runner casual sneaker.And it now has more than a dozen styles — from water-resistant sneakers to ballet flats.

The sole of an Allbirds shoe is made from a proprietary low-density foam that contributes to the shoe’s extremely lightweight feel, its main distinguisher from other typical sneakers. The shoes’ insoles are made from a proprietary merino wool fabric that gives Allbirds its signature “walking on a cloud” sensation. The wool fabric is billed as both moisture-wicking and odor-minimizing and is also used on the outside of the Wool Runners, Wool Mizzles and Wool Loungers.

Allbirds are great walking shoes. Whether you're traveling, running errands or wearing them for everyday use, Allbirds feel comfy even after walking for miles.Both for wearing and gifting — the brand's basic styles are super versatile, and they have a unique construction that fans say makes them feel super comfy.Most of their shoes are made in Busan, South Korea but they also do footwear manufacturing in China and Vietnam. 

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Two Best Allbirds Shoes for Daily Walking and Running

1.Allbirds Wool Runners

Price: $110

The Allbirds Wool Runners will be best for anyone that wants a casual and comfortable daily wear shoe for walking that can work well for most seasons. This shoe provides a fair amount of comfort and can be used for all-day wear, standing, and walking.Style-wise, they’re understated and easy to pair with everything from joggers and a tee, to chinos and a button-up.The unique material delivers serious performance on the athletic front with breathability and sweat-wicking abilities, making the Wool Runner great for jogging as well as cross-training or hiking. This shoe will also resonate best with those with narrow and neutral-width feet who like having a bit more arch support in their shoes. 

2.Allbirds Tree Dasher

Price: $135

The Allbirds Tree Dashers are a good running shoe for the casual and recreational runner.This shoe is comfortable overall and their construction contains multiple environmentally-conscious materials. For shorter and mid-range runs, this shoe excels the most and should work well for many.It’s slightly more performance-focused than the Wool Runner, showcasing Allbirds’ technical progression over the past few years. The Eucalyptus fiber upper is just as breathable and lightweight as the wool, only a bit more rugged.

Dashers have a dual-density SweetFoam sole that is optimized for cushion and stability.There’s also a light wool heel lining that helps keep your foot in place and gives you a touch of added support.In addition, the whole bottom sole of the shoes have a different geometric design than any other Allbirds shoes.If you’re looking for a step-up from the Allbirds Tree Runners for a more supportive running shoe, this is a good choice. 

Compare Skechers vs. New Balance vs. Hoka vs. Allbirds side-by-side

1.Comfort

Walking shoes should comprise contours and padding conformed closely to the feet, providing a snug fit at the heel and midfoot, with ample room in the forefoot.

Skechers

Skechers shoes are created for comfort. Generally, Skechers products are comfortable and supportive. They are cushioned with thick memory foam that contours to your foot and increases the levels of comfort. They have a wide fitting style that ensures your toes do not feel cramped against the shoe while walking.They're also breathable and flexible.

New Balance

A top choice for fitness walkers, New Balance shoes are known for their comfort, quality, support, cushioning, and stability, making these shoes ideal for walking. The shoes have premium materials on the sole unit as well as the upper portion of the shoe. They have countless types of cushioning and support systems which makes it easy for most people to find ideal shoes.The brand is centered around an understanding that people have different feet. They also offer a range of shoe types and styles so that you can address your particular needs, such as extra-wide feet or flat feet.

Hoka 

Boasting its comfortable, supportive, and durable footwear collection, Hoka  has been dubbed one of the podiatrists' favorites for countless fantastic reasons.Hoka shoes have a cushioned midsole that offers shock absorbency and added comfort to help protect your joints. Meta-Rocker. The Meta-Rocker technology uses a low heel-to-toe drop — meaning the height difference between the heel and the ball of the feet is minimal — plus a rounded sole to help propel you forward.

When compared to other popular sneakers, Hoka's shoes have a wider toe box, which allows for a more comfortable fit for those with a broader forefoot and can minimize the risk of developing uncomfortable conditions, like bunions or ingrown toenails.

Allbirds

As a whole, the brand's shoes are exceptionally comfortable.The sole of an Allbirds shoe is made from a proprietary low-density foam that contributes to the shoe’s extremely lightweight feel, its main distinguisher from other typical sneakers. The insoles + sole actually offers a decent amount of arch support — which is fairly rare in other minimalist shoes. The shoes’ insoles are made from a proprietary merino wool fabric that gives Allbirds its signature “walking on a cloud” sensation.

2.Technology

Skechers

Skechers is known for its famous memory foam technology. Nasa was the original creator of this temperature and pressure sensitive material.  These properties allow the material to mold into a certain shape. The memory foam will mold into your foot to increase your comfort level while you walk. 

Skechers’ Hyper Burst cushioning technology has also received numerous accolades – from the  Runner’s World Editors’ Choice award (for the Skechers GOrun Razor 3 Hyper shoe) to Outside magazine’s Gear of the Year award for Road Running Shoes (for the Skechers GOrun 7 Hyper).

New Balance

When it comes to tech, New balance takes the lead. New balance uses a number of technologies on their shoes for different purposes. Some of the famous tech used on the shoes include ABZORB, ENCAP and RevLite. The ABZORB is a superior blend of rubber, compression set and foam to produce high quality and comfortable cushioning. ENCAP technology allows for support and durability by providing a soft cushioning EVA at the midsole of the shoe.

Hoka

Hokas are known for their meta rocker technology that helps your foot to roll as you take a stride, meaning that you'll put less pressure on your forefoot. The Hoka J-Frame support system provides great stability, ProFly foam for softness, and rocker-style midsole for energy return. The Meta-Rocker sole promotes a smooth stride, and the mesh upper has been tweaked for improved breathability, too. 

Allbirds

The sole of an Allbirds shoe is made from a proprietary low-density foam that contributes to the shoe's extremely lightweight feel, its main distinguisher from other typical sneakers. The shoes' insoles are made from a proprietary merino wool fabric that gives Allbirds its signature “walking on a cloud” sensation.

3.Price

Skechers - At just under $100 for most men’s and women’s styles.

New Balance shoes average price is around $125.

Hoka shoes range from $90 - $200.

Allbirds shoes range from $98-$160 and come in a wide variety of colors.

4.Design & Style

Skechers

Skechers is famous for its array of styles and colors when it comes to shoes. All Skechers lines feature a variety of models that come in many colors and styles. They come in uncountable hues and color patterns as well as fabric. With Skechers, you have a huge choice for style

New Balance

The colors and designs may not be as up to date as Skechers for most people.There are still a number of people that appreciate the designs. The NBI Customize by the New balance gives you the freedom to pick different color choices and even pick the exact location for the color on your shoes. You also get to pick the material of the shoe.

Hoka

Their shoes are typically made in very bright colors and thus have a unique look to them.

Allbirds

Allbirds has been defined by simple design and comfortable construction since the beginning.  No flashy logos. No senseless details. Just the world's most comfortable shoes, made naturally and designed practically. 

Their unique aesthetic makes sightings of Allbirds easily recognizable, and they come in a wide range of colors. If you’re in search of your next great shoe obsession, these may just be your best bet.

They have made their way into mainstream fashion thanks to their ability to be worn as athletic sneakers or for more casual purposes. Today, you can see Allbirds on everyone from college students, nurses, busy parents and anyone who is constantly on their feet. 

5.Quality

Skechers

There are a number of concerns that question the overall quality of the shoe when it comes to Skechers. The lack of stability in the midsole to counteract the heel of the shoe will lead to excessive roll-ins.  Skechers use the same density of memory foam from the hoe to heel and this can interfere with the overall support of the foot.

New Balance

New Balance shoes are created with some of the best quality materials and still come at affordable prices.

Hoka

Throughout its product line, Hoka shoes retain features like a low weight-to-cushion ratio and midsole and outsole geometry designed to promote inherent stability and an efficient stride.

Allbirds

Every Allbirds product is environmentally friendly and made from material which is ethically sourced. They have uppers that are made from soft New Zealand merino wool and some of their midsoles are made from a new material called SweetFoam which is derived from Brazilian sugarcane. It is made from a proprietary low-density foam that contributes to the shoe's extremely lightweight feel, its No. 1 distinguisher from other typical sneakers. However,the wool material is more delicate, susceptible to staining and starts to show wear after a couple of weeks. 

6.Sizing

Skechers

Most of their shoes would run true to size, however; when ordering athletic shoes or boots we recommend a half to whole size larger.Skechers carry a great selection of medium width shoes, as well as wide fit shoes for Women and Men.

New Balance

New Balance shoes generally fit true to size.New Balance shoes are made to fit directly out of the box, meaning that – unlike so many sneaker brands – they do not need to be broken in.

Hoka

The Hoka shoes fit perfectly and are true to size. In addition, it doesn't feel too tight in the midfoot or toe box area. Some models are definitely a little more narrow than others, as with most brands.In fact, they have been working on increasing the toebox in newer models. They also have a shoe finder quiz to help you get in to the right model.

Allbirds

The majority of the styles are available in whole sizes (8-14 for men and 5-11 for women). If you're in between sizes, it's best to size up. The sneaker styles are also good for people with wide feet because the upper fabric is flexible.

The Conclusion

Skechers are created to be stylish, comfortable and fun. Most people love Skechers for their stylish sense rather than their functionality when it comes to sports, athletics and other vigorous activities. For most people, Skechers are the perfect pair of sneakers when you are looking to have a comfortable short time out.If you don’t weigh very much and have no foot issues like fallen arches, plantar fasciitis, etc., then Skechers might be fine for walking a couple of miles.

If you are heavier, have foot issues, and/or plan to do serious walking, I would recommend that you use a performance shoe like New Balance.They are able to provide fun, stylish, comfortable shoes without taking away from its functionality. New balance also hands down has the best customization program compared to all other shoe brands.

Hoka produces footwear for men and women of all ages with all kinds of lifestylesThe brand is well-known for their affiliation with several athletes, but they also bear seals of approval from several podiatrists and podiatric associations, making them popular among those who require orthopedics to help them with various foot-related ailments.

Allbirds specializes in making sustainable sneakers and casual shoes. It has been defined by simple design and comfortable construction since the beginning. The shoes' insoles are made from a proprietary merino wool fabric. They are so soft that you can go sockless. They have made their way into mainstream fashion thanks to their ability to be worn as athletic sneakers or for more casual purposes. 

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