Choosing the Right Walking Shoes

How to Choose the Right Walking Shoes

Walking shoes are the only equipment needed to start walking your way to fitness. However, choosing the right shoes can seem like a difficult task considering the number of brands and styles available. Here are a few tips that will help making your next purchase of Walking Shoes an easier one.

Weight

The first thing to take into consideration is the weight of the walking shoe. Walking shoes should be lightweight. You want your foot to be able to lift and move easily. Beware of shoes with gimmicks in the heel or soles. These may just make the shoe heavier and less flexible. Also, walking shoes need less cushioning than running shoes, since the foot is hitting the ground with less force.

Flexibility

Flexibility is also important in a walking shoe. This ensures that your foot can roll through the walking motion with ease. Walking shoes should have a low heel on them to ensure this fluid motion. Make sure you can bend at the ball of your foot easily.

Comfort

Walking shoes should feel comfortable on your feet. Look for shoes that are snug in the heel and mid-foot. In the toe area of the shoe, there should be a thumbnail’s width between your toes and the end of the shoe. Also, make sure there is ample space above your toes to flex them comfortably.

Style

The style walking shoe best for your foot will depend on whether you have a high or low arch. If you're arch is high, your foot will tend to underpronate or roll outward when you walk. A shoe with extra cushioning would be right for you. If you have a low arch or are flat footed, you probably overpronate, or your foot rolls inward. A shoe with extra support is the best for overpronators.

In Conclusion

Walking shoes should be replaced every 300 - 600 miles, so keep track of the distance logged in your shoes. Try purchasing two pairs of walking shoes and alternating their use. This gives the shoes longer to recover between walks and prolongs the life of them.

Try on different brands and designs before choosing and as always, try shoes on at the end of the day after you've been walking around for a while.

Follow these tips, and you will find that choosing the right walking shoes is as easy as a walk in the park!

P. S. - Put on a pair of Walking Socks with blister control and you will be able to walk more then a mile in your new Walking Shoes.