Finding the right shoe as my needs change

Question
I've been Nordic walking up and down the hills around my home for several years now.  I wear Spira Classic Walking shoes, which are relatively heavy, with a great deal of shock absorption and not much drop from heel to toe.  I like them.  Over the past few months, I've participated in a more rigorous exercise program for weight loss that includes running.  I've also increased the pace of my Nordic walking, sometimes even running a bit.  During this program I've heard a lot about "running flats," and how running shoes differ from walking shoes. What's piqued my curiosity the most are the new so-called "natural" or "minimal" footwear, including Vibram FiveFingers (with a pocket for each toe and very little padding), and minimal shoes by New Balance, Nike and other manufacturers.  

What's your opinion on such minimal footwear, especially the FiveFingers?  I'm told they allow your foot to build up muscle so that you can run more naturally, with less chance of injury, even though there is much less shock absorption.  I even met a doctor who just ran a marathon in them.  If the FiveFingers is going too far in design, what about trying a more conventional minimal shoe instead of the relatively massive and heavy Spiras I've been wearing?  And which type of shoe is best for the combination running/walking I'm now doing?  

It's a big decision, not only because my foot health is involved, but because all of these shoes are expensive, so it's hard to simply try out several different types.

Any help would be appreciated by this fellow "Expert" (Screenwriting).  Thanks."

Answer
Sure. I am a big fan of the 'minimalist' movement and have run marathons myself in these types of shoes. For you, as a walker, you just have to realize the difference from going from the padding you are wearing now to just regular racing flats, even one more level and going down to shoes like the five fingers, or VIVOBAREFOOT, even the New Balance Minimus line, two other shoes I appreciate a bit more than the Five Fingers, because of fit, comfort and results.

Not that Five Fingers don't work, because they do, but I find the other two brands stronger in terms of results when it comes to strenthning your foot and calves, which these shoes are tremendous at. They teach you how to properly run, even runners I know that have been running for years, don't run properly. It's mostly about a runners gait and foot step, which most runners don't do properly.

I'd grab a cheap pair of regular runner flats, you could probably get away with a pair for $60 or less online. And then take a look at these lines, http://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/ and http://www.newbalance.com/nb-minimus/ ; I'd suggest investing in a solid pair of these, as the results are tremendous.

Please follow-up if you have any other questions, I can help you out on Twitter @ Twitter.com/nickcifuentes or by email as well nicholas.cifuentes @ gmail (dot) com

good luck!