KangaROOS Are Back

Photo: KangaROOS

For those out there whose feet are their primary mode of transportation, finding the right walking shoe can get tricky because style is often a tradeoff for comfort. But if you're in the market for a new pair and don't want to saddle your feet with something hideous, give a pair of KangaROOS a go.

I took a pair of Magnolias ROOS for a spin on my two-mile walk to work and was pleasantly surprised by their comfort level. I consider myself a pretty fast walker, and by the end of the week, I typically battle blisters and sore heels. Since ROOS tend to run small, I traded up by half a size, and they've done a good job of helping me avoid any blisters so far. Because this brand already runs small and fairly narrow, if you have wider feet, definitely try a pair on in the store to ensure a good fit instead of buying them online.

ROOS also come in enough color combinations to make the most finicky shoe-shopper happy, and yes, they still have that cute side-zipper pocket. Sure it's only big enough to stash a house key or some spare change, but it helps set your feet apart from what I like to call PUMA-nation -- the masses who swear by the jungle cat-emblazoned sneakers.

Bottom line: KangaROOS are a good buy for anyone who does a lot of walking. They're comfortable, come in a variety of colors and are similarly priced to PUMAs at $64. The one drawback is that they run small and may not fit wider feet. For styles and colors, visit Zappos.com.