Do you know how to go for a walk and return home with your feet full of blisters and discomfort? It's wearing an uncomfortable pair of walking shoes! In contrast, choosing the appropriate shoes for walking can make you walk miles without feeling tired or having foot pains.
Well, if you're stuck on choosing the perfect walking shoes for yourself, we've compiled the essential tips to assist you.
Check them below!
Choosing a walking shoe when comfort counts
Right off the bat, choosing the best shoes for walking comfortably deals with three things: how they fit, their stability, and proper cushioning. Let's run through them.
Walking shoes fit
When people seek "what are the best shoes for walking?" what comes beforehand is how they fit. It's essential to wear a pair of shoes that fit comfortably.
To prevent blisters and calluses while/after walking. That starts from selecting the ideal size. Both the length and width of walking shoes should fit snugly, not tight or too loose. If the shoes are ridiculously uncomfortable/short, they'll cause your toes to bend, which is usually painful and problematic. And if the shoes are overly long/wide, you may end up with unfavorable blisters and calluses.
A fit shoe should also be light. If your walking shoes are excessively heavy, you may not walk miles before getting tired.
Walking shoe stability
Since you'll walk a couple of miles before returning home, it's essential to get a shoe with proper stability. One way to ensure that is by trying out the shoe in various motions. Fitting is a priority, but you don't stop there. How do the shoes feel when you move around your feet?
If they feel good now, you shouldn't have problems with them while on track.
Walking shoes Cushioning
The most relaxed shoes for walking are the ones with proper cushioning materials. Shoes with well-cushioned in-soles and mid-soles will keep your feet balanced and help reduce impact when you stamp them on the ground. They'll also help reduce foot pains throughout your journey.
Essential features of comfortable walking shoes
You only need a few tips to find the right walking shoes for you. Once they fit comfortably and have these features, you can walk miles!
1. Choose a shoe with the perfect width and length
The number one rule of thumb for finding the right walking shoes is choosing the one that fits you snugly. If you feel your toes aren't sitting comfortably inside the shoes after trying it on for the first time, that pair isn't for you.
Wearing a shoe that is too tight will cause your toes to bend, hence resulting in an intolerable experience. Similarly, a too wide or long shoe is dangerous; it releases your feet to move inside the shoes as you walk and may cause painful blisters and calluses.
So, how to choose the right shoes for your feet is to insert your longer foot inside the right shoes to check if they fit snugly. If you have a bit of room around your toes inside the shoe, you're on the right track.
2. Look for better heel support
Among others, it's essential to choose a shoe with a snug heel counter. That would guarantee you better heel support and disallow your feet from moving inside the footwear as you walk.
3. Go for quality insoles
Choosing the perfect shoes for walking also entails nice soles (insole, midsole, and outsole) made with cushioning materials.
The insole is the first layer you place your feet on when you wear a shoe; ensure they shape well with your foot and provide substantial support. That's pretty easy if they're of cushioning material.
4. Midsoles with a cushioning material are essential
Next, you've got to ensure the midsoles are extraordinarily good. Yes, because that's where the comfort you're looking for in a shoe emanates the most.
When shopping for your walking shoes, remove the insoles and evaluate the midsoles with your hands. The good ones are usually soft, resilient, and made of foam, air, or gel.
If your walking shoes have that type of midsoles, you won't have problems as they'll help you minimize impact when you stamp your foot on the ground.
5. Outsoles with better traction equals better friction support
It's also essential to opt for a pair of shoes with better traction as they'll ensure you don't slip off the ground while walking. So, before you buy your walking shoes, confirm their outsoles have grooves and treads that can help hold your fit on the ground firmly, even in the most slippery conditions.
6. Waterproofing shouldn’t be a priority
Another tip for choosing the best walking shoes for long-distance coverage is accessing their breathability. Waterproofing is a no-no here.
After walking for a period and boosting your heart rate, your feet would likely become wet, even if little. In that case, shoes that can breathe freely would come into action. In contrast, if your shoes are "waterproof," they'll trap in the moisture, and you'll get painful blisters.
So, go for shoes with breathable uppers, like mesh, for better ventilation. Also, you'll want to wear breathable socks. Don't you?
7. Don’t go out without trying on your new shoes
As far as it's concerned, a nifty and probably indispensable tip you shouldn't overlook when buying shoes for walking is to try them on. With that, you'll know if they fit well or not.
To ensure they fit well, put on your socks (the ones you usually wear) and every other thing you typically wear with your walking shoes before trying them on. If you don't notice any tightness after wearing your extra accessories, then you're ready.
Equally, wear the shoes later in the afternoon or evening to check if they're still comfortable. It's standard for your feet and ankle to swell as the day goes on. So, it's nice to try your walking shoes once again once they do.
It's not just about wearing them; try walking around the store and wiggling your toes to see if you'll notice any difficulty. If not, you're safe.
Always remember it's safe to buy shoes with a bit of looseness than ones that are too tight.
Are running shoes good for walking?
Yes! Don't hesitate to walk in your running shoes if you've got a nice one. Running shoes have better impact and padding support than most walking shoes. Overall, you need those features to keep your feet comfortable throughout the journey and avoid unnecessary pains.
Conclusively, the main idea for choosing the appropriate walking shoes is to ensure they fit, have good stability, and overall satisfactory cushioning. Also, it's essential to keep track of how long you've walked.
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