1. Shoes Should Last Forever
Shoes do not last forever, they generally last only 500 miles before you have beat the stuffings out of them. If your shoes have leather uppers or you are gentle with the uppers, they may still look OK. You may not have worn through the tread. But they are dead. Adding a new insole might make them feel better, but they have lost whatever cushioning they had and their support elements may also be broken down. Now you have a recipe for injury and for tired feet as your feet and ankles will be taking more of a pounding with each step. The best habit is to have two pairs of walking shoes, alternating them. Start wearing the second pair 6 weeks after starting the first pair. You will then be able to feel when the first pair dies. Buying new shoes is much cheaper than seeing a doctor for a twisted ankle or for plantar fasciitis, or stopping your walking program.
When Should You Replace Your Walking Shoes?
2. Buying walking shoes the same size as your regular shoes.
Do your fingers swell when you walk? Guess what - your toes are swelling even more! Your walking shoes should be larger than your regular shoes, because your feet swell up to a full shoe size when you walk for over half an hour. If your shoes aren't big enough, you can end up with black toenails, blisters, and foot pain from this swelling. Give up on shoe size shyness and get fitted correctly. You may find that your walking shoes are too big to wear around the office or home when you aren't walking. If so, save them for walking.
Getting Fit Right for Shoes
Do You Need Bigger Shoes?
3. I can't buy bigger shoes, my feet slide forward in them anyway.
You need to lace your shoes correctly so your heel stays in the heel cup of the shoe while your toes have room to expand. This will also help prevent heel blisters. See my Lacing Diagrams for how to lace your shoes. If you are getting black toenails despite having enough room in your shoes, or your heel isn't securely in the heel cup of the shoe, then learn to lace your shoes correctly. Lacing Your Shoes to Fit
4. I like to just wear my favorite comfy shoes for walking, I don't need athletic shoes.
I encourage you to start walking with whatever shoes you have on hand. But if you plan on walking for more than a half hour at a time, your feet will be happier in athletic shoes that support and cushion them correctly. Your feet flex with each step and need shoes that bend with them. Many of us overpronate and need a shoe that helps correct that motion so we aren't set up for injury. These are things best found in a good pair of running shoes or athletic walking shoes.
Shoe Types for Walkers
