| Whether you are a casual walker or someone | | | | Hold the shoe in your hands with one hand on the |
| who walks each day for exercise, a comfortable, | | | | toe and one on the heel. See if you can flex the |
| quality walking shoe can help you enjoy yourself, | | | | shoe's sole back and forth in your hands. If the |
| get more out of your workout and save your | | | | shoe won't budge, you need to keep looking. |
| feet from wear and tear. Here are ten important | | | | 6. Another important feature of a good walking |
| things to remember so you can make sure you | | | | shoe is the cushioning. During a walk, your foot will |
| choose the type of shoe that is best for you. | | | | hit the ground thousands of times. It's important |
| 1. The first key when choosing walking shoes is to | | | | to have good cushioning underneath your feet. |
| remember that it doesn't matter how stylish the | | | | Check the construction of the cushioning and |
| shoes look if they don't support your foot | | | | make sure it will hold up over time. |
| properly. Fortunately, this is such a big industry | | | | 7. If you're going to be jogging as well as walking, |
| these days that there are a number of chic | | | | look for a shoe that can be used for more than |
| styles available for athletic walkers as well as | | | | one purpose. Cross training shoes or jogging |
| casual walkers. Visit a store or a website that | | | | shoes will work well for walking, jogging and |
| specializes in walking shoes to see what I mean. | | | | running. Ask the salesperson for |
| 2. Give yourself enough time to shop for your | | | | recommendations based on the type of activity |
| walking shoes. You need to try several pairs of | | | | you'll be doing. |
| shoes on and walk around the store in them. | | | | 8. Once you get the shoe home (or if you order |
| Make sure not to rush this process. The time to | | | | the shoe online), walk around on carpeted areas |
| discover that a certain style of shoe hurts your | | | | only for a time so you can make sure the shoe is |
| feet is when you are still in the store. | | | | right for you before it's too late to return them. |
| 3. Have the salesperson measure your foot so | | | | Quality walking shoes aren't cheap, so it's |
| you can get an accurate size, especially if it has | | | | important to make sure you have invested in the |
| been a while since you have gone shoe shopping. | | | | right shoe before you go traipsing up and down |
| While you are walking around in the store, check | | | | the block. |
| to make sure that your heel stays snug inside of | | | | 9. If your new walking shoes are for your walking |
| the shoe and that you don't have any pain while | | | | workouts, keep them in good condition for using |
| you walk. | | | | them in your exercise program only. Don't wear |
| 4. When you try on the shoe, you'll be able to | | | | them around the house or while running errands, |
| feel how the shoe will fit over time. Unlike leather | | | | and your shoes will last a lot longer. |
| shoes, walking shoes typically won't stretch out in | | | | 10. Know when it's time for a new pair. Walking |
| places where they are tight. If you have a part | | | | experts say you should replace your shoes about |
| of the shoe rubbing up against your ankle bone or | | | | every 400 to 500 miles (or about 3 to 6 months). |
| if the shoe is too tight across your toes, find a | | | | They also recommend getting two pairs of |
| different pair to try on. | | | | walking shoes and alternating them during walking |
| 5. Look for a shoe that is flexible. When you walk, | | | | workouts, so that the shoe is completely dry and |
| your foot will flex the sole of the shoe so you | | | | the cushioning of the shoe is always at its full |
| need something that will flex along with your foot. | | | | effect when you put them on. |