How to Choose the Right Footwear for Walking

The success of walking for sport or recreation depends on choosing the right footwear. Because walking exerts stress on your feet, ankles and knees, wearing supportive footwear can prevent injury. Choose footwear that fits you well. Make sure it is suited to your activities. Follow these steps to find the best walking shoes for you.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Tape
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Paper

Measure Your Feet

1. Tape a large piece of paper to the floor.
2. Step onto the paper with your bare right foot and shift your weight to that foot.
3. Trace the outline of your right foot.
4. Connect the furthest points in the length of your foot outline by drawing straight lines with the ruler.
5. Measure the length of your foot with the ruler and write down the number.
6. Use the ruler to measure the width of your foot at its widest point and write down the number. This will determine whether you need wide or narrow shoes.
7. Repeat this process with your left foot.
8. Bring these numbers with you when you shop for walking shoes.

Choose Flexible Footwear

9. Twist each pair of walking shoes you are considering. The shoe should bend easily in your hand.
10. Ensure that walking shoes bend at the ball of the foot. Your feet roll forward as you walk, so stiff shoes can cause blisters.
11. Place each shoe on a flat surface and press the toes down. The heel of the shoe should rise, which illustrates the curve needed for the rolling gait.

Avoid Wide-Heeled Footwear

12. Look for walking shoes with a low heel that doesn't protrude beyond the edge of the shoe. Wide heels inhibit the rolling motion walking utilizes.
13. Select an undercut heel (heel narrower that the shoe). Undercut heels enhance the heel-first walking stride.

Match the Footwear to the Activity

14. Consider ultra-light shoes for racing. Racing footwear should be very flexible, with almost no heel.
15. Opt for a somewhat more rigid walking shoe for hiking. Hiking terrain poses a greater risk of injury; so more rugged footwear is best.
16. Choose walking sandals to keep cool during summer walks along the beach.
17. Visit The Walking Store website to see walking shoe varieties (see below).

Tips & Warnings

• Always try on walking shoes in the afternoon. Your feet swell as the day progresses, so shoes you try on in the morning may not fit at night.
• Walking boots may not offer the flexibility needed for comfort.