Find the Best Shoes for Walking at the Best Running Shoe Store
Most general purpose sporting goods stores do not hire staff for their shoe department who are experts on shoe fitting. To get this service, it is best to go to a specialty running and walking shoe store in your area. For trail shoes or boots go to an outdoor store such as Eastern Mountain Sports or REI.The staff will take you out to the parking lot and watch you walk, or have you walk on a treadmill or indoors track in the store in several different shoes. Some stores even perform video gait analysis to determine which shoe is best.
What Good Shoes Cost
The shoes you end up with will be in the $60 - $90 range rather than in the trendy $100+ range or the bargain basement. Invest in the right shoes to prevent injury and keep you walking in comfort. But don't waste your money on stylish shoes that won't perform well walking.For boots, you will pay over $100 especially if looking for features such as waterproofing. Expect to invest more in good, well-constructed boots.
Shoe Try-on Tips
- Bring the socks you generally wear walking to use while trying on the shoes.
- The right size for walking shoes will be a size to a size and a half larger than your dress shoes because your feet swell while walking.
- Try on shoes later in the day or right after walking so your feet will have swelled.
- Shoes should feel great when you put them on, don't buy them thinking you will "wear them in."
- If you have wide or narrow feet, look for a brand that has widths.
- If any part of your foot feels it is rubbing against a rough spot in the shoe or boot, try another pair or style. You are sure to get blisters otherwise.
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