![]() ![]() To get a feel for the shoe, take a few laps around the store. Allow at least one finger’s width between your longest toe and the front of your shoe, as your feet may swell more in warm weather and on longer walks. Stay away from shoes with big bulky heels, which can hinder the natural rolling foot motion of walking and may make you more prone to tripping.Ĭheck for wiggle room. ![]() The flexibility offers a greater range of motion and an easier push-off. If it doesn’t, look for another style that does. The shoe should bend easily at the ball of the foot. Grab the toe and heel of a shoe and pull them toward each other. Synthetic or cotton-synthetic blends will wick away moisture. Avoid 100% cotton socks, which stay damp if they get wet, setting you up for a blister. The thickness of your socks affects how your shoes fit, so find some you like and take them to the shoe store. Because your feet tend to expand by the end of the day, it’s best to try on new shoes when your feet are at their largest.Ĭhoose socks first. Here’s some additional advice for finding the right pair of walking shoes. "Research suggests that for healthy people, matching shoe type to address pronation or supination doesn’t prevent more injuries than wearing a neutral shoe," he says. Tenforde isn’t convinced this practice is necessary. Sometimes, employees offer to analyze your feet or your old shoes to see if your foot tends to lean inward (pronation) or outward (supination) as you walk. (But don’t wear walking shoes to run, as they aren’t made to handle the higher impact.) You can even wear a running shoe for walking because both are designed for forward motion. Image: © OxfordSquare/Thinkstock If the shoe fitsįor the best selection plus expert advice, you’re better off going to a specialty running store (many of which also sell walking shoes) instead of a large chain retailer. ![]() Some research suggests that thinner, more flexible soles put less stress on the knees, perhaps because they allow your foot to move in a more natural fashion. But don’t assume that the more support and cushioning a walking shoe has, the better. Comfort is the most important factor, and a shoe should feel good as soon as you slip it on. Instead, consult a podiatrist or physical therapist to properly address the problem, he advises.īecause feet come in varied shapes and sizes, it’s impossible to recommend a specific walking shoe brand or style that would suit everyone. Adam Tenforde, director of the Running Medicine Program at Harvard-affiliated Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. "But if you have any type of existing foot pain or impairment that makes walking uncomfortable, don’t rely on a shoe to fix your problems," says Dr. The right shoes may help you avoid common foot and ankle injuries, such as plantar fasciitis (inflammation of the fibrous band of tissue on the bottom of the foot) and Achilles tendinitis (inflammation of the tendon connecting the calf muscle to the heel). Plus, brand-new, well-fitting walking shoes just might put a little more spring in your step and encourage you to walk a bit farther. If you walk briskly for 30 minutes a day, five days a week, that translates to a new pair every six to 12 months. In fact, some experts recommend replacing your walking shoes every 300 to 500 miles. But if you’re doing your daily walks in sneakers that are comfy but well-worn, it might be time to invest in a new pair of dedicated walking shoes. Another oft-mentioned perk of walking: the only gear you really need is a comfortable pair of shoes. Brisk walking is one of the simplest and best exercises you can do to protect your heart, so put your best foot forward.Ī low-impact exercise that you can do almost anywhere, walking is both practical and popular.
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