New Shoes on the Block: the New Balance FuelCell Walker Elite

Victoria is known as a walking city, and New Balance just createdonemoreoptionforthis activity.TheFuelCellWalkerElite isdifferentthanthesturdy,heavier options in the walking category, andinsomewayssitsinthemiddle ground.Itisnotlikearunningshoe either.Thecombiningofthestraight, widelastwiththetypeofmidsole foamusuallyreservedforsnappy, propulsivetrackworkoutsand5/10k distancerunsmakesforavery interesting hybrid.

A supportive walking shoe features certain common elements: a roomy toe box, a rigid heel counter, and an even flow from the heel strike to toe off. The typical shoes in the walking category are usually more rigid torsionally and often paired with a rocker toe that relieves pressure off the metatarsal region by reducing flexion in the foot. There are a few reasons why this may be beneficial. Anyone with osteoarthritis, bunions, or metatarsalgia will usually feel better in footwear that absorbs much of the work the feet are meant to do.

The Walker Elite has all of these features but then re-writes the rule book of the usual New Balance offerings.

It balances stability and cushioning in a 6mm drop. Normally the drop, which is the angle of the foot from heel to toe when standing, is fairly high in a walking shoe. The 928, for example, is 12mm so the heel is elevated more compared to the forefoot. The lower drop is often reserved for running shoes so why might this be beneficial for a walker? Your feet will be in a slightly more natural position and there will be less pressure on the metatarsal regions, which is good news for people dealing with Morton’s neuroma, metatarsalgia, or bunions.

In two of New Balance’s walking models, the Roll Bar is imbedded in the foam near the heel which is meant to help guide the foot through the gait motion and prevent extraneous movement from either over-pronating (arch collapses inward) or supinating (rolling outwards). The Walker Elite has what is called a “stability plane” instead that is supposed to provide fluid movement from heel to toe-off. Looking very much like the carbon plate technology, the stability plane is lighter and extends further along the foot

than the Roll Bar.

The Walker Elite is the first model in the New Balance walking shoe category to use FuelCell midsole technology. Usually this foam is reserved for performance running shoes like the Rebel or TC Elite (a carbonplated shoe) where propulsion and efficient energy return is beneficial for people running. With this decision, along with a deep longitudinal groove through the center of the midsole and an upper made of synthetic mesh and no sew overlays, New Balance has created a lightweight shoe that still manages to feel stable.

New Balance walking shoes are your best cradle for orthotics due to the straighter lasts that provide enough room and depth for a proper fit. The Walker Elite is functional for the every-day walker who may be struggling with fit issues, whether it is simply having wide feet or whether foot deformities and injuries have made it impossible to fit into shoes meant for the common average. What kind of walker are you? If your own two feet are your main source of transportation, then investing in a good pair of shoes is always worth the time and money. Commuters and people committed to an active walker’s lifestyle usually have the most realistic outlook on what they need: support, cushioning, and durability. With the Walker Elite, you can now add lightness and comfort.