Look for a pair that are functional and flexible
A form of exercise that almost anyone can enjoy in any season, walking is a heart-healthy aerobic exercise that reaps many health benefits. Though walking itself is free, the biggest investment you should make is finding the right pair of walking shoes to best support your feet and protect you from injury. Michele Dierkes, PT, DPT, ATC, offers advice on how to find the perfect pair.
Elements of a walking shoe
When you walk into a sporting goods or shoe store and see rows upon rows of running shoes, how can you find the walking shoes within the mix?
Dierkes suggests starting by picking up shoes to see how they feel. “A typical walking shoe is meant for comfort,” she says. “It must absorb 1.5 times your body weight when you walk, so it is designed to cushion the foot.”
Another test to find a walking shoe is trying to bend the shoe in half. Walkers are heel strikers, so finding a shoe that flexes across the entire foot is important, Dierkes explains. The midsole, located on the inside of the shoe underneath the liner, should be made of light, pliable material—usually ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA). Look for flex grooves on the outsole.
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How is a running shoe different?
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