Walking Shoes, Apparel, and Gear How to Buy Your Next Pair of Walking Shoes By Wendy Bumgardner Wendy Bumgardner Facebook Twitter Wendy Bumgardner is a freelance writer covering walking and other health and fitness topics and has competed in more than 1,000 walking events. Learn about our editorial process Updated on September 17, 2020 Fact checked Verywell Fit content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Emily Swaim Fact checked by Emily Swaim LinkedIn Emily is a board-certified science editor who has worked with top digital publishing brands like Voices for Biodiversity, Study.com, GoodTherapy, Vox, and Verywell. Learn about our editorial process Print Westend61/Getty Images Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Walking Shoes Choose the Right Shoe Motion Control Shoes Undoubtedly, the most important piece of equipment you'll need for walking is a pair of walking shoes. It's important that you find a pair specifically designed for walking rather than strapping on some running shoes or leisure sneakers. Sure, it's an added expense, but it's one that will pay off by ensuring greater comfort and preventing injury, instability, and foot pain. Walking shoes typically fall into one of three categories. Cushioned shoes offer greater comfort for those who walk long distances (over five miles at a time). Performance trainers are lightweight shoes that are great for those who don't need motion control. Stability shoes are for people who don't have severe stability problems but would benefit from added motion control. What Makes Walking Shoes Different No matter how great a shoe looks, it won't do you any good if it doesn't fit correctly. To ensure this, find the best athletic shoe store in your area where the serious runners go. Personal trainers are often a great resource for these. Be sure to keep an eye out for stores that offer foot analyses. This alone is a strong indication that they'll be able to find a shoe more anatomically suited to your foot. Walking shoes differ from running shoes in that each addresses how a person moves. Walkers strike first with the heel and roll through the step. Runners, by contrast, strike in the midsole and need a built-up heel to soften the impact as well as a flared heel for stability. Walkers need neither of these things. Flexion is essential. A walking shoe must be flexible in the forefoot, or your foot will fight it as it rolls through each step. This will hamper your gait and can also lead to shin splints. How to Choose the Right Shoe To find the right pair of walking shoes, put each candidate through the following quality test: Look at the heel. It should be no more than an inch higher than the sole under the ball of the foot, and there should be no flare.Next, grip the shoe in your hands and twist it. Not only should it twist latitudinally, but it should also easily bend at the ball of the foot and not the middle of the arch.Finally, set the shoe on the floor and poke the toe. If it's well designed, the toe should be slightly off the ground and rock a little when poked. The 10 Best Walking Shoes of 2023, Tested and Reviewed Motion Control Shoes for Overpronators If you overpronate (walk so that your foot tilts too far inward toward the arch), you may need to find a pair of motion control shoes to compensate. This is especially true if you are heavy or have other mobility issues such as a weak knee or hip. While motion control shoes tend to be heavier, they offer firmer support and can help balance the gait when walking. If in doubt, have your gait analyzed at the shoe store. If the pronation is particularly severe, you may need to either get a custom pair or find an orthotic insole able to provide the support you need. A Word From Verywell When searching for the right walking shoe, don't get hung up on labels. If you find a flexible, flat shoe with a minimal heel drop, it may be perfectly well suited for walking even if it's labeled a running shoe. Similarly, there are many walking shoes that have all the bells and whistles but are anything but flexible and flat. To make the right choice, always place function before fashion. Sure, you want to look great, but it's more important to find something that makes walking a joy. You can usually find a great pair for between $60 and $120. Anything more and you'll be paying for style. Check out our picks for the best walking shoes for women. How Your Walking Shoe Needs Change As You Age 2 Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. International Sports Sciences Association. Could Your Shoes Be Giving You Shin Splints? 2020. Castro-Méndez A, Munuera PV, Albornoz-Cabello M. The short-term effect of custom-made foot orthoses in subjects with excessive foot pronation and lower back pain: A randomized, double-blinded, clinical trial. Prosthet Orthot Int. 2013;37(5):384-390. doi:10.1177/0309364612471370 By Wendy Bumgardner Wendy Bumgardner is a freelance writer covering walking and other health and fitness topics and has competed in more than 1,000 walking events. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? 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