Walking is an excellent exercise for getting and staying in shape. Whether you’re new to walking or have been doing it for some time, you can ensure the long-term health of your feet by learning more about how to choose the right shoes. Walking puts different stresses on your feet than other activities, such as aerobics or jogging, and having the proper support is essential. Finding footwear such as Asics Gel Kayano 25 women can make all the difference in whether you stick with a walking routine, and finding cute walking shoes is a bonus.
Cushioning and Heel Height
Walkers do not need the same shock absorption as joggers or other sports enthusiasts, so you’ll find less cushioning in walking shoes as a whole. Less cushioning translates to a generally low midsole profile as well. A composite material that’s built into the sole boosts stability and strengthens the heel to keep your foot centered when you move. You can find these features in Asics Gel Kayano womens shoe offerings.
Breaking Down Flexibility
Another difference between runners and walkers is how the foot flexes during toe-off. Walkers flex their feet more at the point where toes leave the ground, which means their shoes need to accommodate for this increased flexibility. Three points where walking shoe construction accounts for this need include the following:
- Toe Box: A cramped toe box results in painful cramps due to the confinement of muscles and tendons. In walking shoes, toes have more room to flex up when you plant the heel, and more room to spread after the toes leave the ground. Look for shoes that give you a half-inch space to flex between the longest toe and both the top and front of the shoe.
- Uppers: Leather is heavier than the mesh found in many of today’s walking and running shoes, but it also provides more support. The best walking shoes are a combination of leather and synthetic mesh that is both sturdy and lightweight and promotes airflow as well.
- Flex Grooves: Outsoles should be flexible. Some shoes build flexibility into the sole’s outer layer, while others add flexibility through flex grooves. These grooves run across the outsole’s forefront to support the foot’s bending motions.
- Of course, you want to look good while you get your exercise—doesn’t everyone? Finding the best cute and comfortable shoes for walking is every shopper’s dream. The best of both of these worlds show in a selection of Adidas shoes for women.
Heel Construction
To help keep your foot and ankle steady, the heels of walking shoes feature a slight rounding of the outer edges. This feature helps provide walkers with a natural roll-through and also encourages an efficient stride. Since less cushioning is needed, you’ll notice that the heel is also naturally lower in height than running shoes.
When to Replace Walking Shoes
You should be able to log about 500 miles on your shoes before needing to replace them, which usually takes six months for the average walker. Take a look at the soles and replace them when wear is noticeable. With the designs of many top walking shoes, shoppers can easily find footwear that is cute and comfy too.
