What Are Walking Shoes?

Comfort Shoes, Walking Shoes - By Ed Forteau on Friday, August 13, 2010 - 08:26

What are walking shoes? To put it simply, they are shoes you expect to use primarily for walking. They could be shoes that you just use when walking as a form of exercise, for causal walking, or they could be shoes that you use for more “serious” occasions when you expect to walk long distances.

What Are Walking Shoes' Differences In Design From Other Types of Athletic Shoes?

Most other athletic shoes are built with runners in mind. Good runners tend to hit the ground with their mid-foot. However, for walking, the heel is typically the first to strike the ground, and then the rest of the foot rolls over to make contact with the ground.

Hence, a good walking shoe should have a relatively flat and slightly undercut heel, to better allow rolling forward, whereas a running shoe designed to provide more stability may have a built-up heel. When walking, the foot also hits the ground with less impact than when running, so less cushioning is required for walking shoes, resulting in a lighter shoe.

What Are Walking Shoes Worth Buying?

There is no single best shoe that fits everyone. Everyone's feet and walking style is different. However, there are a few guidelines that you can use to select a good walking shoe.

Your walking shoes need to be flexible, as your foot will flex as you roll through a step. Getting one that is not flexible enough will cause your foot to fight it as you walk, which could cause shin splints.  A good walking shoe is one that you can twist..

As walking requires you to push off from the ground with your toes, a walking shoe that flexes at the forefoot is ideal. Try bending your walking shoes and see whether they bend at the ball of the foot.

As mentioned previously, a good walking shoe should have a relatively flat and slightly undercut heel. Avoid getting shoes with a flared heel as these will impede your walking.

When you try on your walking shoes, your feet shouldn't feel cramped, and you should have adequate room in the toe. Walk around to see how you feel in the shoes. Do not get shoes that you feel uncomfortable in thinking that you can break them in. It is also best if you wear a pair of socks that you'll be wearing together with the shoes when you try them on, so you can get a feel of them with the same padding and thickness that you will be subjecting them to.

Depending on your walking style, there are other factors that you should also consider when getting walking shoes. For example, if you overpronate, consider getting shoes with less flexibility and extra medial support or motion control shoes.

What Are Walking Shoes' Life Expectancy?

It is recommended that you replace your walking shoes after every 500 miles. If you are walking 30 minutes a day, this means replacing them every six months.

Alternatively, buy a new pair of walking shoes after 300 miles and alternate between wearing them and your old pair, so you can tell when the your old walking shoes have lost their cushioning and support and should be replaced.