5 Things To Look For When Choosing The Best Shoes For Walking

How to find your next pair of walking shoes

Did you know that getting in just 30 minutes of walking a day can have transformative health benefits on your wellbeing, mood, and sleep? Whether you’re taking a casual stroll to the beach, walking in the city, or going on a full-on hike, comfortable walking shoes can make all the difference in support and preventing injury.

Lucky then, that our designs are biomechanically engineered and meticulously tested to enhance your body’s natural alignment and movement. In other words, we’ve guaranteed maximum comfort and support so you can smash your step count, reach all the peaks and still have energy at the end of the day.

Here’s five key things to consider to help you find your most comfortable walking shoes yet:

1. The Right Fit

First and foremost, make sure you wear shoes that fit properly. While it seems like a given, many people still squeeze into the wrong sizes or buy too big. You need to ensure you have enough space to wiggle your toes, but not so much room that your feet slide around inside the shoe. Read our guide for finding the right fit for more details.

2. Supportive Cushioning

Your walking shoes should have ample cushioning and support in the heel, arch, and ball of the foot. Look for designs that work with the natural curve of your foot, as this will help your overall gait and alignment. Enter our triple-density, super-cushioned Microwobbleboard™ midsole which does all the above — and more. It disperses areas of high pressure so your feet get instant relief and you’re left feeling more energised to push through fatigue, whether you’re strolling or climbing.

3. Impact Reduction

Wearing shoes that have high-rebound, impact-reducing soles will help ease the pressure when your foot strikes the ground. This reduces the impact on your muscles and joints – so you can keep walking for longer. If you’re planning on upping your step count on the beach or in the city, try our iQushion collection: every shoe in the range is designed with two impact-absorbing cushions so you can go the distance — and do it in style.

4. Arch Contouring

Arch contouring is essential in walking shoes because it helps to distribute the weight of the body evenly across the foot. The arch of the foot serves as a shock absorber during walking and helps to maintain balance and stability. Without proper arch contouring, the foot can become misaligned, leading to pain, discomfort, and even injury. Cue the ultra-springy NeoDynamic™ midsole, which can be found in our Vitamin FFX and Neo-D-Hyker trainers and boots. This brilliant technology includes a central carbon plate to propel you forwards as you move — if that’s not motivation to keep going, we don’t know what is.

5. Lightweight & Breathable

Walking in heavy shoes causes muscle fatigue and discomfort, making it difficult to walk for long periods. Swap for something more lightweight, such as the Rally trainers: these sneakers are engineered with our Anatomicush™ midsole to improve your agility with freedom of movement, support and cushioning without adding extra weight. You also want your walking shoes to keep your feet cool and dry — so look for shoes made of breathable materials, too.

Ready to get out there?

See our range of walking shoes and boots.