A pair of walking shoes is without a doubt the most important thing that’s needed for a walking holiday. It is of utmost importance to find a pair that’s designed specifically for walking as opposed to leisure sneakers or running shoes. It can be an extra expense, but it will pay off by preventing injury, foot pain, and instability and would also provide greater comfort.
Shoes can fall into one of the following 3 categories:
- – Performance Trainers: Lightweight shoes, which are ideal for those that don’t require motion control.
- – Stability Shoes: For those that don’t have severe problems with their stability but can greatly benefit from additional motion control.
- – Cushioned Shoes: Provide better comfort for the people that walk long distances (i.e. over 5 miles at a time).
The Walking Shoe Difference
A shoe won’t do you any good if it does not fit right no matter how great it looks. To ensure that it fits properly, find the best athletic shoe store in your area that’s frequented by serious runners. Personal trainers are usually an excellent resource for these. If you require extra wide shoes take a look at this guide.
Ensure that you keep an eye out for stores offering foot analyses. That by itself is a strong indicator of the store’s ability to find a shoe that’s better anatomically suited to your foot. The main difference between walking shoes and running shoes is that they address a person’s movement.
Walkers first strike with the heel and roll through the step. Runners, on the other hand, strike in the mid-sole. They require a built-up heel for softening the impact and a flared heel for ensuring stability. Walkers don’t require either of these things.
Flexion is critical. A walking shoe needs to be flexible in the forefoot or the foot will tend to fight it as it rolls through each step. This may hamper your gait and may even lead to shin splints.
Tips for Choosing the Right Shoe
To find the right pair of walking shoe, use the following quality test to assess each candidate:
- – Look at the heel: The heel should ideally be no more than 1 inch higher than the sole under the ball of the foot. Also, there shouldn’t be any flare.
- – Grip the shoe in your hands and twist it: You should not only twist it latitudinally but it should also bend at the foot of the ball as opposed to the middle of the arch.
- – Set the shoe on the floor and poke the toe: If it is designed properly, the toe should rock a bit when poked and be slightly off the ground.
For Overpronators there are motion control shoes
If you are an overpronator (i.e. walk in such a way that the foot tilts inward or outward toward the arch), you may need to find a pair of motion control shoes to compensate. That’s particularly true if you are either heavy or have other mobility issues such as a weak hip or knee. Motion-control shoes are generally heavier, but they offer firmer support and help balance your gait when you walk.
If you are in doubt, you should have the shoe store analyze your gait. If you have particularly severe pronation, you may have to either get a custom pair or find an orthotic insole to provide the necessary support.
When you are looking for the right walking shoe to buy, avoid getting hung up on labels. If you come across a flexible, flat shoe with a minimal heel drop, it could be perfectly suited to walking. Even though it might be labeled a running show. Similarly, you might come across many walking shoes with all the bells and whistles but are anything but flat and flexible.
Always place function before fashion to help you make the right choice. You obviously want to look amazing, but it is important to find something that makes it a joy to walk. You can expect to find a great pair for between $60 and $120. Anything priced higher and you will be paying for style.
