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What to look for in a walking shoe
18 April 2011
The technology used in shoes has advanced considerably in recent times, and many manufacturers now offer walking shoes with a variety of features and and greatly differing prices. So, what are the main factors you should take into account when looking for a shoe to go walking in?
The main consideration is what kind of walking you will do. Obviously someone that needs a pair of shoes for walking the dog around the park a few times a week has greatly differing requirements to an endurance walker who may need a pair of shoes for walking many hundreds of miles.
Most manufacturers of walking shoes have different shoes to fit the majority of requirements. A general purpose, 'trail' shoe will be perfect for walking relatively-short distances in a variety of terrains, both on and off road.
If the walking you do is mainly 'off road', such as fell walking, you'll probably need something with more water-resistance built in. Wet feet can make a walk a very miserable experience, and can quickly lead to foot problems. One advance in the waterproofing of clothing and footwear is Gore-Tex. Shoes with this feature will help keep your feet dryer for much longer and should certainly be considered if you are doing a lot of off-road walking.
Many manufacturers don't include Gore-Tex as standard on their shoes. They sometimes release identical versions of their shoes; one basic version, and one, slightly higher priced version featuring Gore-Tex.
If you mainly do on-road, endurance walking, waterproofing may not be such an issue for you and instead you should look for shoes specifically designed for longer-distance walking. Because of modern-materials, these shoes often feel much lighter than they look; the weight being a crucial factor if you're walking many miles in a pair of shoes.
Obviously, comfort is a major factor when choosing a pair of walking shoes. Regardless of the type of walking you do, your footwear will take quite a battering, so it's worth investing in a pair that is up to the job. This doesn't necessarily mean the most expensive pair; just the one that works best for you.
The purchase of shoes for walking is best done through a specialist store, either bricks and mortar, or online. Feel free to ask questions, and if it's a bricks and mortar store, you'll obviously be able to try on several pairs before making a decision.
Choosing the correct pair of shoes is the single-most important factor if you are keen on walking. Get it wrong and it's likely to be an unpleasant, uncomfortable time. However, choose the right pair of walking shoes and it can really open up the countryside to you and help you see sights and places you wouldn't otherwise know about.
The main consideration is what kind of walking you will do. Obviously someone that needs a pair of shoes for walking the dog around the park a few times a week has greatly differing requirements to an endurance walker who may need a pair of shoes for walking many hundreds of miles.
Most manufacturers of walking shoes have different shoes to fit the majority of requirements. A general purpose, 'trail' shoe will be perfect for walking relatively-short distances in a variety of terrains, both on and off road.
If the walking you do is mainly 'off road', such as fell walking, you'll probably need something with more water-resistance built in. Wet feet can make a walk a very miserable experience, and can quickly lead to foot problems. One advance in the waterproofing of clothing and footwear is Gore-Tex. Shoes with this feature will help keep your feet dryer for much longer and should certainly be considered if you are doing a lot of off-road walking.
Many manufacturers don't include Gore-Tex as standard on their shoes. They sometimes release identical versions of their shoes; one basic version, and one, slightly higher priced version featuring Gore-Tex.
If you mainly do on-road, endurance walking, waterproofing may not be such an issue for you and instead you should look for shoes specifically designed for longer-distance walking. Because of modern-materials, these shoes often feel much lighter than they look; the weight being a crucial factor if you're walking many miles in a pair of shoes.
Obviously, comfort is a major factor when choosing a pair of walking shoes. Regardless of the type of walking you do, your footwear will take quite a battering, so it's worth investing in a pair that is up to the job. This doesn't necessarily mean the most expensive pair; just the one that works best for you.
The purchase of shoes for walking is best done through a specialist store, either bricks and mortar, or online. Feel free to ask questions, and if it's a bricks and mortar store, you'll obviously be able to try on several pairs before making a decision.
Choosing the correct pair of shoes is the single-most important factor if you are keen on walking. Get it wrong and it's likely to be an unpleasant, uncomfortable time. However, choose the right pair of walking shoes and it can really open up the countryside to you and help you see sights and places you wouldn't otherwise know about.