Walking Shoe Guide: Test Your Shoe Flexibility

Twist them and Bend Them or Toss Them

Walking is a natural rolling motion from heel to toe, your foot bending at the ball on each step. If your walking shoes are not flexible enough, your ankle and shin muscles end up fighting your shoes and you set yourself up for injury as well as tired legs and feet. Many shoes marketed as walking shoes are not flexible. Most running shoes are flexible, but may not bend in the right place.

Twist them: Grab the shoe with both hands and twist in opposite directions. It should twist a little.

Bend them: Try to bend the shoe in half, pushing the heel towards the toe. The shoe should bend at the ball of the foot. Some running shoes bend in the middle of the arch, which is not the right place for walkers.

Poke them: Place the shoe on a level surface. Poke the toe down, the heel should raise up off the surface. This natural curvature will help you roll through the step.

Other Things to Look For

Low Heel: Walking shoes should not have a high heel, it should be no more than an inch higher than the sole under the ball of the foot.

No Flare: Some shoes have a flared heel to give running stability. Avoid this for walking shoes, instead look for heels that are even undercut at the back to allow for good heel strike and roll through the step.

Next page: Getting Fit Right >> Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Walking Shoe Guide

Shoe Guide Home
Shoe Types
Shoe Shapes
Flex Testing
Getting Fit Right
Finding Specialty Shoe Stores
Your Shoe Reviews
Top Picks and Reviews