Walking is a great way to keep in shape, get outdoors, and even
save on gas. Unfortunately, without the right shoes, even a short
distance journey can turn into a pretty unpleasant experience for your
feet (which can actually end up affecting your whole body, too). If you
do a lot of walking, or if you plan to start, then spend some time
finding a good pair of walking shoes. You want a pair that will feel as
good to wear as they look so you can get around by using your own two
feet as much as you'd like without getting slowed down by shoes that
have you not looking or feeling your best.
Choose the Right Size
This might seem like an obvious one, but many people are not actually aware of their true shoe size. Though most stores will have measuring tools available, those tools only measure your foot in two dimensions, which means that certain measurements are left unaccounted for. Make sure that when you are trying on walking shoes, you are wearing the socks you would wear when walking and standing up, so you can feel not just the length and width but also how tight they feel around your whole feet. Another issue to bear in mind is that most people have one foot that is very slightly larger than the other, but in some individuals the size difference can be noticeable in how each shoe feels. Remember to consider whether a disparity in size might be the cause for one side to feel less comfortable than the other.
Versatility
It's a huge plus when your comfortable shoes don't look like they were designed solely for comfort. Sometimes you want to look nicer when you're trekking around, so a pair that can double as stylish and easy on your body is ideal. For this one you are going to have to consider your own personal style and what clothing you wear most often, but for most people a very simple shoe will work best.
Custom Orthotics
Custom orthotic inserts can slip into shoes that you love the look of, but which would not offer enough support for you otherwise. Be sure to take the time to get custom orthotics from a company that will take the time to screen each foot individually in both walking and standing positions to see your unique pattern of weight distribution. A custom set like these can have you walking in style and pain-free, so you can focus on what you really want to.
Choose the Right Size
This might seem like an obvious one, but many people are not actually aware of their true shoe size. Though most stores will have measuring tools available, those tools only measure your foot in two dimensions, which means that certain measurements are left unaccounted for. Make sure that when you are trying on walking shoes, you are wearing the socks you would wear when walking and standing up, so you can feel not just the length and width but also how tight they feel around your whole feet. Another issue to bear in mind is that most people have one foot that is very slightly larger than the other, but in some individuals the size difference can be noticeable in how each shoe feels. Remember to consider whether a disparity in size might be the cause for one side to feel less comfortable than the other.
Versatility
It's a huge plus when your comfortable shoes don't look like they were designed solely for comfort. Sometimes you want to look nicer when you're trekking around, so a pair that can double as stylish and easy on your body is ideal. For this one you are going to have to consider your own personal style and what clothing you wear most often, but for most people a very simple shoe will work best.
Custom Orthotics
Custom orthotic inserts can slip into shoes that you love the look of, but which would not offer enough support for you otherwise. Be sure to take the time to get custom orthotics from a company that will take the time to screen each foot individually in both walking and standing positions to see your unique pattern of weight distribution. A custom set like these can have you walking in style and pain-free, so you can focus on what you really want to.
Kitchi Joyce is the Director of Administrative Services for OrthoAtlanta, a full service Atlanta orthopedic
practice specializing in orthopaedic surgery and sports medicine.
OrthoAtlanta has multiple locations around the Atlanta Metro area where
doctors, physicians and medical staff help patients live and perform at
the peak of their physical ability. Decades of experience, education and
research means that all branches of Atlanta orthopedics are covered,
from cartilage
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