New Balance 644 Country Walker Shoe : Walk Smart

I'm more of a walker or jogger than a runner, but I wear running shoes a lot.   Right out of the box it was apparent to me that the New Balance Country Walkers are built with a more leisurely pace in mind.   They look good, too (my wife told me so).

The first thing I noticed when I tried on my Country Walkers was that they're padded in such a way that they hug my foot in a most luxurious way... almost like a slipper. But it wasn't until our first walk together that I fell in love with them.  

The proprietary Abzorb foam cushioning in the heel and forefoot is a godsend. It noticeably softens every step, especially on long walks on concrete.   This is not to say that these shoes have a detached-from-the-ground feel. Not at all. New Balance has a reputation to maintain as a maker of performance footwear, and they've done that.

I spend a couple of hours a day exercising my dog and tiring out my daughter for nap time.   My afternoons usually involve some combination of wet grass, mud, loose dirt, leaves, and sudden turns at sprint speeds.   I'm impressed by the traction and responsiveness of my Country Walkers because they've helped me stay on my feet more times than I can count.   

My favorite feature is the generously sized synthetic toe piece.   It acts as a sort of brush guard when I walk across wet turf.   It directs the grass and leaves away from the rest of the shoe, which helps keep my socks and feet dry.  

Bottom Line: : After a few weeks and a hundred or so walking miles in my Country Walkers I find them to be an excellent choice for an everyday shoe for someone who does a lot of active things throughout the day but is not necessarily an athlete.   A. S. (Mar 08)

Price: $70

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Manufacturer's Site: www.acorn.com