Walking Shoes - Specific Shoe Recommendations, Please

I need some really specific advice. I've been wearing Easy Spirit almost exclusively for 20 years. No that I need to get serious about exercise, I want a serious walking shoe.

I visited the #1 shoe specialty store in my area this weekend. I tried on a dozen pairs of shoes (New Balance, Asics, Saucony, etc). Nothing felt right. I am a 48 yo woman, 6'1", 420 lbs, severe lower back pain, narrow heel, shoe size 12M.

I thougt New Balance would be the ticket, but no luck. Every pair I tried slipped up and down on my heel when I walked. Most of the shoes felt as if they have no cushioning under the ball of the foot and that is very important to me.

I think if I am going to pay $100+ for shoes, they should fit and be comfortable out of the box. Is that so unreasonable?
 

The *right* shoes generally do feel great out of the box.  Hopefully people will have suggestions for you.  I know that pre-surgery I had a hard time finding truly comfortable shoes... or maybe it's just that I had a hard time having comfortable feet.  Weight loss has been HUGELY beneficial to my feet either way.

You might best be served keeping with the Easy Spirits for a while longer if they work for you now.  Your feet will change along with the rest of your body during weight loss (I lost a full shoe size).

I think at some point its hard to discern when you get into trying on more than three or four pairs at a time. I am a fan of Asics shoes but it took me quite a bit of trial and error to get to that.

Doesn't Easy Spirit have a walking shoe you like?

 You may want to look into Aetrex sneakers.  I am big and tall too and these have so much cushion for me.  Ofcourse I also have orthotic pads in mine too.  But I fell in love from my first pair.  Here is a link to give you an idea.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_07602876000P?sid=ID x20070921x00003h&srccode=cii_5784816&cpncode=29-8621508-2