Walk Off Weight | Walking Shoes – Comfortable or Painful? Choose Wisely!

Walking Shoes – Comfortable or Painful? Choose Wisely!

Posted on August 18, 2010
Filed Under Exercise Equipment | Leave a Comment

The importance of a comfortable walking or hiking shoe should not be underestimated if you plan of walking for any significant distance. Choose the wrong shoe and your walk or hike is likely to be cut short sooner than expected. Your footwear has to be able to withstand the rigours of the hike as well as support and protect your feet from the elements. The aim has to be to end a walk with you feet as comfortable as when you started out. The wrong choice can leave you bruised, blistered and aching!


Unfortunately there is no such thing as one size fits all when it comes to choosing the right walking shoe, but as a rough guide it is a good idea to select a shoe that is as light as possible given the terrain you will be walking across. If you are likely to encounter rocks, mud, water, heat and cold then you should make sure your walking shoe is robust enough to deal with those conditions while at the same time being comfortable and offering the correct foot support. Flexibility is an important factor; your foot needs to be able to flex as you roll through a step from heel to toe and the heel part of the shoe should be relatively flat, thus providing greater stability.

There a lots of types of Walking Footwear:

1. Motion Control Hiking Boots
These are a heavier rigid type of shoe which are designed to combat something called overpronation. In overpronation, the arch of the foot will flatten while walking which can cause a great deal of pressure and stress on the bottom of the foot. Motion control shoes tend to consist of a denser material on the sole where the inside of the foot is situated, and offers greater support to foot arch. Unfortunately, they have a thicker heel which can make hiking seem more arduous than is experienced with certain other types of shoe.

2. Stability Shoes
Stability walking shoes have greater flexibility than a motion control shoe but still have a dual density midsole for support. They’re more designed for people who have a slight tendency for overpronation but they’re not as cumbersome, although they, too, have a thicker heel, so they’re uncomfortable when hiking.

3. Cushioned Walking Shoes
If overpronation is not a problem then the cushioned walking shoe is for you. Generally this type of shoe offers the least support but they are extremely flexible. Once again, they come with a thick heel.

4. Lightweight Hiking and Trail Shoes Lightweight hiking boots and trail walking shoes are more designed for day hiking and shorter trips. They often come with rugged soles and are designed to be comfortable, cushioned and breathable and to have many properties similar to a walking boot. However, they’re not as heavy as a pair of boots and therefore don’t provide quite the same level of support nor are they as durable but they are probably the best choice if you’re carrying a backpack and/or crossing rough terrain.

Ultimately, the best thing to do when choosing a walking shoe is to seek advice from an outdoor shoe specialist. Hotter Shoes Voucher Codes will help you save you money whichever type of shoe you opt for. You should be able to find them from any of the Voucher Code directories online.  Need more motivation for your walking plan?  Read some walking tips.

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