I still walk in all kinds of shoes. From boots to boat shoes to trail runners. If I know I'm going to be walking long distance on paved paths, I will stick to a regular running shoe. I wear Brooks almost exclusively after a lifetime of Asics. If I know there will be softness to the ground (dirt paths/meadows) I will wear something like my Merrell Trail gloves. If there is any amount of ankle articulation, I will likely wear a high top of some sort, be it a street shoe or a hiking boot, either will work for 90% of my walking now days.

When I hike, its almost exclusively with my trail gloves, they just provide so much flexibility, they are also super light weigh and quick to dry.

I'm a bit of a shoe lover though, so walk with what you have, when you NEED something different only buy it then, but you can get 500-1000 of miles out of your running shoes when you are just walking.

Awesome feedback. Thanks! I've read that "running" shoes are built a bit differently than "walking" shoes, with regard to fit and function, so I was worried about doing further damage by walking in running shoes.

And funny enough, I recently switched to Asics from a lifetime of Brooks! But I still have both, and like both.

I've never had much issue. Some of my softer ground shoes give me shin pains on pavement, but anything that is meant for a paved surface has never phased me. That said, I used to walk five or six miles in oxfords when I lived in NYC, so maybe my feet can just take the pain

Shin pain can seem to be the death knell for taking even one more step.

I experienced it once I started walking again, and learned quickly to rest it a couple of days before walking again. If you start out too eager and quickly, it's likely to happen - I was eager and walked too briskly and let me tell you that shit hurts. Even walking, I learned, is a physical activity to ease into.

Not the OP, but depending on the type of shoe you're talking about, zero drop trail runners like altras (lone peak, etc.) are probably my single favorite distance walking shoe. They allow your toes to spread a lot and don't tend to have a lever effect if you've got bad ankles and step wrong.

I had trouble running and a friend who runs all the time recommended custom orthotics. I haven't tried this yet - I also do walking. My merrell vapor glove 4 shoes are my favorite.