If you are looking to get some exercise by walking you will need a pair of walking shoes. Rather than blindly purchasing a new pair of shoes, compare them to get the best pair for your feet. Walking shoes are typically flat-heeled shoes that have a flexibility that allows the shoes to twist and bend with your feet. Whether you need walking shoes for everyday use or for walking around a track, you can do some comparisons on your own.
Instructions
1. Research the available sizes and widths. Some shoes may only come in standard sizes with standard width, while others may be made to accommodate wider or narrower feet.
2. If you have foot problems, search for walking shoes that address those problems. For example, on the Walking Company website you can search by comfort including arch type and foot conditions such as heel spurs, plantar fasciitis and bunions.
3. Bend and twist the shoe to see how flexible it is if you are comparing walking shoes in a store. Good walking shoes should easily move when you bend and twist them. For example, bending up the toe box in a flexible walking shoe will result in it almost touching the tongue of the shoe. If there is stiffness instead, then the shoe is not flexible enough for walking.
4. Walk around in each pair of walking shoes you are interested in to see how they fit. Walk at your typical pace to see how they move with your foot. Pay attention to any pain and make sure you have enough room in the toe box (typically just over one inch at the end of your toes, or a thumb's width). Check the width in the toe box, as a walking shoe that is too narrow there can cause pain on the sides of the feet. Be sure that the sides of the toe box do not rub or press on the sides of your feet when you are walking.
5. Read reviews of walking shoes you are interested in at sites like Amazon or Nike. Ask fellow walkers for reviews and the sales associate for his opinion. Fitness magazines, such as Shape, sometimes review shoes including those for walking.
Tags: walking shoes, your feet, pair walking, pair walking shoes, shoe flexible