Walking is one of the simplest forms of exercise, yet it provides a multitude of health benefits; whether it’s on a treadmill or outdoors doesn’t matter – as long as you have the right pair of shoes.
To ensure maximum comfort and protection for your feet, it’s essential to have the right pair of shoes. In this blog, we’ll look at the benefits of walking, the importance of choosing the correct shoes, and the various types of shoes available for different foot problems.
The Benefits of Walking Daily or at Least 3 Times a Week
Walking daily or at least 3 times a week can provide several health benefits, including:
- Improved cardiovascular health
- Better weight management
- Increased muscle strength and flexibility
- Improved mood and reduced stress levels
- Increased energy levels and better sleep quality
Health benefits of wearing the right shoes for walking
- Reduced risk of injury
- Better balance
- Reduced pain & discomfort
- Improved circulation
- Improved posture & gait
- Less knee pain
Should Walking Shoes be One Size Bigger?
It’s a common misconception that walking shoes should be one size bigger than your regular shoes. Walking shoes should fit comfortably, with enough room to wiggle your toes, but not too loose that your feet slide around inside the shoe.
How to Buy the Correct Shoes for Physical Activity
When buying shoes for physical activity, it’s important to consider several factors, including:
- Arch support – make sure they provide adequate support for your foot’s arch.
- Cushioning – look for good shock absorption to protect your feet and joints.
- Breathability – go with good ventilation to prevent sweating and bacteria growth.
- Fit – ensure the shoes fit well and feel comfortable when walking around.
Problems with Feet and Solution Shoes
We should start off by saving that one of the very best and cheapest purchases you can make, that is great for all feet, is a hard spikey ball. These balls are great to use rolling your foot over and releasing different pressure points on the bottom. However, with problem feet then you also want to invest in the right supportive shoes.
1) Plantar Fasciitis–
shoes with good arch support and cushioning can help relieve the pain associated with plantar fasciitis. Some shoe options worth considering are:
- Brooks Women’s Ghost 14 Neutral Running Shoe
– combine both comfort and style in one package. Customers with irregularly shaped feet might find these uncomfortable to wear though. - ASICS Men’s Gel-Kayano 26 Running Shoes
The ASICS Gel-Kayano are some of the lightest sneakers on the market, with excellent circulation and durable foam padding being one of its main selling points. One downside that some customers have reported is the poor customer service on ASICS’ end when it comes to procuring a replacement.
2) Flat Feet and Overpronation (feet roll inwards when walking) –
To mend overpronation, look for shoes with good arch support and motion control features, like the following:
- New Balance Men’s 940 V4 Running Shoe
These shoes offer style, comfort, class, and excellent support. One con to think about is that the mesh on the top of the shoe isn’t of the highest quality, which makes it a little less resistant to wear and tear. - Brooks Women’s Adrenaline GTS 21 Running Shoe
These shoes offer a lot of cushioning, ‘I wear this shoe because of pronation problems. It’s very comfortable and keeps my foot aligned’. However, they may not offer as much support as the Brooks Ghost shoes, which look to be firmer and stiffer.
3) High Arches – go for shoes with good cushioning that can help relieve the pressure on high arches. If you have high arches look at the following options, which provide extra cushioning to help absorb shock and reduce pressure on high arches.
- Brooks Men’s Glycerin 19 Neutral Running Shoe
are both good for indoors or outdoors.However, they’re pretty bland as far as aesthetics are concerned, so you might end up preferring other Brooks designs over these.
4) Wide Feet – you need a wide or extra-wide toe box to accommodate your feet’s shape. These shoe options provide ample room in the toe box to provide a comfortable and supportive fit:
- New Balance Men’s 928 V3 Lace-up Walking Shoe
good for those who prefer a simple shoe that isn’t very flashy and is comfortable to wear.
5) Bunions –
are large protrusions of the big toe joint. Look for a wide or extra-wide toe box and good cushioning can help alleviate the pain associated with bunions. Some of the best walking shoes to help with this are:
- Brooks Men’s Ghost 15 Neutral Running Shoe
No one likes to feel uncomfortable, your feet deserve the very best, and Brooks’ Ghost line of shoes is just that.
6) Shin Splints – look for good shock absorption and cushioning that can help reduce the risk of developing shin splints.
Brooks, ASICS, and New Balance are all recommended for problem feet because these brands have a reputation for producing shoes that are designed to provide comfort, support, and protection for your feet. They constantly put in the money, time, and effort into the research and development of products with advanced technology and innovative features.
What Shoes Do Most Podiatrists Recommend?
Most podiatrists recommend shoes with good arch support, cushioning, and a comfortable fit. Brands such as those already introduced as New Balance, Brooks, and ASICS are all popular among podiatrists.
Overall Verdict
Walking is a great form of exercise that provides numerous health benefits. If you want to ensure maximum comfort, putting a bit of effort into finding the right pair of shoes will go a long way.