After sitting at my computer all day for work, there’s nothing I love more than unwinding with a podcast and a long walk. Walking has countless benefits – from reducing stress to boosting immunity – and it’s an easy way to stay active, get your blood pumping and stretch your muscles. Unfortunately, if you’re like me and suffer from knee pain, you already know that a nice walk around the neighborhood can quickly turn into a lame home.

An old knee injury caused me to suffer from chronic knee pain for years, and I had no idea that simply changing my shoes could be the X factor in rolling back my steps. After years of intermittent physical therapy, I heard a friend rave about how comfortable her new sneakers were. Although I initially thought they were more fashionable than functional, I was intrigued and bought a pair of Hoka One One Gaviota 3 Sneakers, and they have been my favorite shoes ever since.

Designed with comfort and stability in mind, the Hoka One One Gaviota 3 sneaker gives the impression of entering a cloud. A firm rear exterior that cradles the heel and Hoka’s signature J-frame (read: extra padding on the inner side of the sole) work together to prevent overpronation, a common contributor to knee pain. The best of all, the Gaviota 3 deliver on their promise of “surplushness” with over an inch of soft, shock-absorbing foam to help reduce pressure on your knees.

Unlike high-intensity activities like running and HIIT, the shoes I wore to walk had always been an afterthought, and their lack of support gradually worsened my joint pain. The first time I laced up the Gaviota sneakers, I knew it would be love at first step. After about a mile of walking, the time when my knees usually demanded a break, I felt completely supported and remarkably pain free. Now that I’ve been walking in these shoes several times a week for over a year, I rarely feel pain while walking, even after a few miles. An added bonus: they are still in great condition and I haven’t needed to replace them yet, which is well worth it too.

But I’m not the only fan of these sneakers. They’ve garnered nearly 400 five-star reviews from shoppers on the Hoka One One site, many of whom — from pregnant women to amusement park goers to injured runners — say they help them stay comfortable for many hours of standing while relieving the knee. pain.

A customer wrote: “If you have problems with your feet, knees or hips. These are the most comfortable sneakers. No more pain when walking.”

“I have a lot of foot problems, [and] add, I’m overweight”, shared another. “I was able to stand for most of the day for work and my feet AND my knees were painless (recovering from a knee injury). I’ve already picked out my next pair!

“I am able to run 11 km, several times a week, even with a torn meniscus in this shoe, and without knee pain”, reported a final reviewer.

If you’re ready to beat knee pain and get back to your walking routine, check out the Hoka One One Gaviota 3 sneakers at Hoka, Nordstrom or Zappos. You won’t be sorry.

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