Shoes for long walking. Women's walking shoes

How to choose depending on the type of walking?

Fans of long walks around the city are better off choosing light models: if in the first minutes the weight of the sneakers is invisible, then after a couple of hours the extra grams will make themselves felt with fatigue and discomfort. The soft materials of such shoes allow the foot not to resist excessive fixation, and the wide segmented sole provides stability.

Not all fans of walking are adherents of long measured exercise, someone prefers more energetic movements during intensive training. In this case, light, soft, shin-locking sneakers are suitable. Moreover, an important factor ventilated shoe materials, since overheating of the foot during training is highly undesirable.

For country walking, it is better to prefer a heavier pair with thick soles, ideally equipped with spikes, so that stones, bumps and branches do not spoil the impression of the walk. Waterproof is one of the main requirements for such sneakers..

The choice of shoes for Nordic walking deserves special attention. A grooved, flexible outsole that provides reliable traction and waterproofness are the criteria for lovers of this newfangled winter sport.

How should they differ from running shoes?

Manufacturers various kinds sports shoes take into account the position of the body during certain types of movements.

While running, shoes should allow the foot freedom of movement, but when walking, the leg should be well fixed.

While running, the athlete leans forward, and when walking, the position of the body is perpendicular to the road surface. Accordingly, the load on the foot is distributed differently: in running shoes, the shock absorbers are closer to the toe, but in a pair for walking they are located in the heel area; They include silicone gel to soften accidental impacts.

Important! Visually, "running" sneakers are distinguished by high lacing fixing the ankle.

Differences between women and men

Serious sneaker manufacturers must take into account the anatomical features of the female and male feet.. What you should pay attention to when choosing such shoes:

These factors, along with the materials and purpose of the shoe, must be taken into account when choosing shoes.

What should you research when buying?

When choosing sneakers, you first need to pay attention to their appearance:

A sharp and strong synthetic smell should be a signal to refuse to buy such shoes.

Upper and sole material

The part of the upper that comes into contact with the sole must be made of leather. In the middle and upper part there are synthetic mesh inserts for better ventilation. The advantage of high-quality synthetic material is its strength and durability.

Excellent cushioning can only be provided by a three-layer outsole made of wear-resistant rubber. The high relief should have a slouchy toe and the tread should go over the back of the heel for added stability.

Important! Tread material - foam rubber not rubber!

Arch support, laces

The arch support is responsible for the comfort of the foot in the shoe. When trying on, please note: the leg is uncomfortable, so you need to choose another model, with “your” arch support. If you sacrifice comfort for the sake of design or price, then there will be an increased risk of developing flat feet.

Laces should be chosen flat, made of synthetic material, as they fix the leg well and do not untie.

How to understand that the shoes are chosen correctly?

So that improperly selected sports shoes do not lead to health problems, when going shopping, you need to follow some rules:

Important! Bend the sole of the sneakers - it should quickly return to its original position. The dent from the finger when pressing on the toe should also quickly straighten out. If this does not happen, it is better to refuse the purchase.

Top Best Brands

What, if not sneakers, are the most comfortable shoes? And not just for sports.

In the modern rhythm of city life, they have firmly entered our wardrobe and go well with jeans, shirts and other unsportsmanlike things. They are perfect for long walks all day long.

How to choose the right walking shoes and what options combine quality, comfort and a good price to the maximum?

Among the main advantages of sneakers are the following:

they lie perfectly on the foot and are designed solely for comfort. Therefore, they are suitable for every day;

sneakers can repeat the anatomical features of the foot and help correct problems;
developers are working to ensure that sneakers can withstand heavy loads and overcome long distances with you;
high-quality models are as durable as possible and will serve you for more than one year, even with active use.

What are the most comfortable models

Before proceeding with the analysis of models, it would be nice to decide on what criteria to evaluate sneakers. good models for walking have several important characteristics:

hard heel. In addition to rigidity, it must also be high in order to fix the leg well.
high edges. They are needed so that the ankle joint also feels good and firmly in sneakers.
thick sole. It is needed to cushion well and soften the impact of the foot on the surface.

tread. An important detail that will provide you with good grip and maximum confidence when walking.
midsole materials. Not all, but some models have silicone gel. It plays a decisive role in protecting the knee joints and spine. Gel is an elastic cushioning material that absorbs the entire load.
supinator. This is a soft cushion located on the midsole. It also has a protective function, protects the legs from fatigue and prevents flat feet.

the top of the shoes. The main requirement for him is the ability to pass air and moisture so that the leg breathes. Textiles and leather work well with this task.
insoles. Their job is to absorb moisture. They should be easy to take out and put back in for easy shoe care.

laces. Good shoelaces do not have to be tied 10 times during a walk. They should also be of normal length. In cheap models, they are made very short or unreasonably long.

Please note that all the characteristics of the sole apply specifically to active walking shoes, but not to running models.

How to choose the right one when buying

To choose the most suitable option, you need to clearly understand what requirements are set for sneakers, for what type of walking they will be intended. If you take all this into account, then you won’t have to suffer and wonder why the sneakers creak when you walk or why your legs hurt so much. After that, it remains only to carefully look at the materials from which the shoes are made and their individual elements. During an external examination, pay attention to:

The weight. Shoes should be light, weightless.
Smell. It should not be very strong and unpleasant to give synthetics.

Outsole and tread. The tread is front-to-back, the sole is wide. These models are designed for walking.
Glue. It should not create smudges, be applied carefully.
High-quality models are distinguished by smooth and accurate firmware, tight lines.
It is desirable to have a rubber lining on the toes of the sneakers, which protects against damage.
The lacing should be high and the top should be soft.
Well, if the model you are looking at has an ankle bolster. It will help avoid chafing.
Pay attention to whether there is an arch support and whether the insole is removed.

Trying on sneakers

Since running shoes are not supposed to cause you any discomfort, be sure to try them on before buying to make sure they fit your foot well. If this is not done, you will provide yourself with calluses, varicose veins, and even flat feet and spinal problems.

The fitting should be done with socks of the same thickness in which you will wear them. It is better to try on both legs at once.

The thumb should not rest against the front wall. He should not reach her about 0.5 cm.

Public advice. Sneakers, men's or women's, like any shoes, it is better to try on in the evening, when the leg is tired during the day and slightly increased in size.

The choice of sneakers depending on the type of walking

Walking can be different - sports, normal. For which one do you want to choose sneakers?

Sneakers for everyday wear. If these are the most common walks and running on asphalt in the city, the most important thing is that you are comfortable in new sneakers and your feet breathe. The rest of the requirements can be missed.

Walking outside the city is already different. The terrain will be different, the flat sidewalk will be replaced by pits, stones and bumps, which means that here you need to apply all the knowledge that you have learned about choosing sneakers. All attention is on the sole, which should cope with protecting the feet from stones and other troubles. This is especially important for long walks.

For Nordic walking. This sport requires the choice of a special model. The main requirement is the flexibility of the sole, soft models so that nothing hinders the movement of the foot. The second requirement is a good terrain, so that the grip on the ground is excellent and prevents a possible fall.

Health walking in the city. For this purpose, you need to choose sneakers that are flexible and soft. Depreciation is important. Pay attention to weight. It should be as small as possible so that extra grams do not cause you discomfort and do not cause unnecessary stress.

Healthy walking in the gym. For this kind sports activities also choose lightweight models that pass air well. The sole in this case is not very thick. And the tread can be shallow. The main thing is that the shoes are flexible and fix the foot well.

Rating of the best models

Nike sneakers come first. They deservedly are the most comfortable running shoes, as well as the most popular among athletes of all levels, from professionals to amateurs. For half a century of its existence, Nike is not going to give up its positions and, among numerous sports companies, has won back as much as 35% of the market. The quality of the sneakers of this company always remains consistently high and buyers can be sure of this.

The Nike lineup is constantly updated and you can find a pair of any style you need.

Second place goes to Adidas. They relentlessly follow Nike and also delight customers with quality and thoughtful shoes.

Adidas walking shoes come in a wide variety of styles, orthopedic, retro or neo style.

Adidas is known for its unique concepts such as CLIMACOOL, which are successfully used in both shoes and clothing to create the ultimate in comfort.

Materials for manufacturing are taken only high-quality and reliable, which provide good wear.

For beginners, the requirements for Nordic walking shoes are simple - you can practice in everyday comfortable shoes without heels. But there comes a time of inevitable progress, increasing the duration of classes, diversity in the tracks and increase the pace. By this time, it is better to prepare in advance by taking care of high-quality, technologically advanced training shoes that will help to avoid calluses and pain in the feet.

Those who have ever gone hiking or skiing know that shoes should be the last thing to save on. Good equipment is a guarantee good mood and maintaining health on long journeys.

Like many of my peers, I started playing sports when normal sports shoes were not available. If you managed to get good sneakers, then they didn’t go to knead the mud in training, but put on what is called “on the way out”. For which many of us later paid with injuries to the ankle or knee joints.

Now times are different, there are a lot of high-quality sports shoes on the market, and I personally consider it unreasonable not to take advantage of this variety.

How to choose walking shoes

Walking shoes, as well as any other, need to be selected depending on the routes that you have to conquer in it. I will tell you about the types of shoes that will be comfortable for a Nordic walker, and you just have to make a choice according to your needs.

Let me remind you that no matter what shoes you choose, the main thing is that it should fit you perfectly in terms of block and size, so pay special attention to trying on. It is better to go for a fitting in the afternoon, because by the evening the feet increase slightly in size. Be sure to take not trying on the socks in which you will train. Try a few different models sneaker, different sizes, walk around the store in sneakers for 10-15 minutes. In general, try on seven times and only buy on the eighth.

Nordic walking shoes are best to choose from three types of shoes

Running shoes.
Trekking shoes.
Trekking boots.

It is better not to choose basketball or tennis shoes, no matter how much you like them, as well as indoor or fashion shoes.

Running shoes

True running shoes are not Reebok, Nike, Puma or Adidas, although these brands have great models, but they are very rare, especially in our area. Real running shoes are Asics, Mizuno, Brooks, Saucony or New Balance.

It is these brands that you should pay attention to when looking for good, technological shoes for running or Nordic walking.

Running shoes are more sharpened to neutralize shock loads on the athlete's musculoskeletal system, so they pay more attention to softening and stabilizing technologies. Naturally, the more technologically advanced the model, the more expensive it is.

Walking shoes are less demanding in terms of biomechanical adjustments or cushioning, so if you don't tend to spend too much on shoes, look first at the entry-level running brands that aren't as technologically advanced as more advanced models, but are just as comfortable and wear resistance.

All running shoes are divided into several main categories

Cushioning.
Stability
Motion control.
Half marathons or lightweight training shoes.
Marathon or competition shoes.
Cross shoes or trails.
Specialized shoes (studded shoes, etc.).

In the cushioning category, you are likely to find great Nordic walking shoes, as this category will have shoes for a neutral footing, with a lot of softening element (gel) in the heel and sometimes in the toe area. Such sneakers will be good for walkers without a pronounced obstruction of the foot to the outer or inside, and those who prefer to train on different surfaces from asphalt to dirt. Almost all cushioning shoes are equipped with a highly breathable mesh that provides excellent ventilation, but at the same time gets wet.

Walkers with serious overpronation, as well as amateurs who weigh more than 100 kilograms, can take a closer look at the running shoes of the motion control category.

Sneakers for running and walking over rough terrain or trails are recommended for those who like long out-of-town workouts on forest trails, with access to primers and off-road. Such sneakers, as a rule, are equipped with a waterproof membrane (Gore-Tex) and hard inserts - plates throughout the foot, protecting from sharp stones and branches. In some models, I met a special pocket on the tongue, in which it is convenient to hide the laces, in order to avoid them being caught with a stick.

Trails are good for active training in winter or in the off-season, they will perfectly carry you through melted snow or mud and, at the same time, your foot does not freeze in them down to minus 10-15C.

In my opinion, the trails will be the most versatile sneakers for most lovers of fast Nordic walking. You can walk in them in any weather, both in the city and in the forest, without fear of injuring or getting your feet wet. The only thing to keep in mind is that trails are much stiffer than cushioned shoes and can get hot on warm summer days.

If you prefer leisurely long walks, especially away from well-groomed park paths, then maybe you should look after yourself a couple or even. Read about these categories of shoes.

What sneakers do you use? Share your experience in the comments, do not be shy 🙂

Video review of good Asics Fuji Trabuco trails that I use and recommend for Nordic walking in winter and off-season.

Wide sole (platform)- needed for better stability on any surfaces, in order to avoid twisting the legs for any reason. The relatively large outsole area (compared to competition shoes) also provides better traction when it comes to wet pavement, for example.

High heel with good roll to toe needed for a smooth roll of the leg while walking. The thickness of the toe should be less than the heel to ensure this roll.

Cushioning in the heel necessary to absorb the shock load on the joints and spine. Therefore, it is strongly NOT recommended to practice Nordic walking in ordinary thin sneakers or moccasins. Cushioning is also needed for a better push forward.

Ease- it is desirable that one medium-sized sneaker weighs less than 400g. Ideally - about 300-350g. Fortunately, the vast majority of sneakers now weigh approximately in this range. Heavy shoes for Nordic walking are inappropriate and inconvenient to use.

good ventilation- if the use is intended in the warm summer season without precipitation. Your feet should not sweat, sweat, and be at risk of chafing and blisters. The legs must breathe. For such conditions, sneakers without a membrane and other water-repellent linings are better suited.

Waterproof, on the contrary, is needed just when it is cold, dirty and rainy. For autumn, winter and spring, you should look at sneakers with Gore-Tex membrane protecting the foot from moisture from the outside. In addition, the membrane noticeably insulates the sneaker, which is important in the cold season.

Convenience- the sneaker should sit on the leg, tightly wrap around the ankle joint with the help of relatively high sides and fix the heel with a tight back, be soft inside, especially in the toe, have free space for the toes.

Good tread (studded outsole)- necessary for walking in the forest, on trails, especially with muddy areas, on hills and even in the mountains. Yes, it was in such conditions that Nordic walking originated; in Europe, this is done primarily in nature.

Durable laces, which will not untie or tear, should be made of special materials, not cloth. Good modern sneakers also have a quick lacing system, in which the laces, in principle, do not untie, especially relevant in cold time years, and for those who may find it difficult to tie their shoelaces.

Outsole Flexibility- shoes should bend relatively easily, be flexible enough so that you do not have to apply extra effort while walking. Shoes with hard, non-flexible soles, such as mountain trekking boots, are not suitable for Nordic walking.

Strength- good Nordic walking shoes with proper care and active use should last at least several years. Pay attention to the quality of the cut, seams, glued areas. For sneakers designed for walking in nature, a reinforced, durable toe will be relevant.

Long walks are always pleasant, especially in comfortable shoes. The fashion of today's world is such that even shoes that no one had previously considered exclusive take the first positions in a matter of weeks. The same applies to running shoes. Designers develop different directions, creating a variety of sneaker options - for running, walking, social gatherings, and even for the office.

Running shoe anatomy

For people who love sports, sneakers are an indispensable thing. In them, the foot feels calm and comfortable. These shoes are specially designed for long loads. To make walking easy and enjoyable, the walking shoes adapt to the anatomy of your feet.

Before buying sneakers, you should always check the sock first - it should be soft. With a hard toe, foot rubbing and blisters are inevitable. The upper fabric is usually light, synthetic, so that the foot can breathe. The bottom is more solid, to keep the leg in the correct position and prevent dislocations and careless steps.

In the anatomy of walking shoes, the arch support plays an important role. This element protects the foot, preventing flat feet. When trying on sneakers, make your own comfort in them the main criterion for choosing them. If something interferes with your leg or the shoes seem heavy to you, feel free to refuse this model, since the instep support does not tend to change. Having bought bad shoes, you can then suffer for years.

The sole of walking shoes must be made of rubber. Most the best option- This is a three-layer sole that provides complete comfort to the foot. It cushions well and keeps your foot in place. The mesh at the top, which is often seen on many models, is good way ventilation. These meshes are very strong and tight, so they will not tear.

Differences from running shoes

Many people make the mistake of buying running shoes to walk in them. After all, these two models are completely different, as designers make them in accordance with dissimilar exercise. The purpose of running shoes is to give the foot free movement. When walking, fixing the leg is important, because it is very easy to twist the leg just by walking at a fast pace.

In the manufacture of running shoes, the main emphasis is on the position of the body. When running, a person leans forward, so in such sneakers, shock absorbers are closer to the toe. When walking, it is important to support the heel, as it takes almost all the load. The walking shoe also contains a silicone gel that prevents spinal curvature during long walks and cushions accidental bumps.

Walking shoes must be light, while running shoes can be heavier. It is better to choose sneakers with a more flexible sole so that it does not restrict movement. A removable insole is a mandatory rule; you will need to rinse and dry it regularly.

Advantages

Walking shoes are a great choice for those who enjoy both easy walking and brisk walking. High-quality models have orthopedic inserts that will help your body and spine retain energy and not get tired for a long time. Back pain is the first sign of poor quality shoes.

Walking shoes never change size. Stretching, enlargement is not about them. They always retain their shape, even after several years of use. In addition, these sneakers are very durable, they rarely deteriorate and do not leak in the rain. Properly fitted walking shoes will last for many years without needing to be replaced.

Good sneakers and those that fit under different types walk. They will provide both a pleasant trip to the store and long wellness walks. Such shoes are indispensable for long hiking trips, especially in the mountains, where small pebbles constantly come across that impede movement.

Kinds

Walking shoes are mostly versatile. However, there are several criteria by which you need to choose them if you are purchasing them for a specific purpose. Walking is not limited to walking on the sidewalk, it is different, so small differences are worth considering.

For long walks, and also if you prefer to walk on asphalt, feel free to purchase light shoes. Heavy sneakers, imperceptible at first, will definitely make themselves felt after a few kilometers. Models with a wide sole, divided into segments, provide stability. Sneakers should be soft so that the foot does not get tired from excessive fixation.

If long walks are not to your liking, try active walking. It can be practiced both in the gym and on the street. In this case, it is better to opt for flexible and lightweight sneakers that fix the lower leg. This will prevent unnecessary injury during training. Leather sneakers allow the foot to breathe, which is very important when it heats up, because exercising with extremely warm feet is not a pleasant pleasure.

But walking on the grass or outside the city requires special strength. Sneakers need to be chosen heavier and more protected. Stones, clods of earth, branches - all this can significantly slow down progress. Many types of walking shoes have studded soles, which makes it easy to overcome obstacles. It is important to take care of the waterproofness of the sole.

Nordic walking is, first of all, a winter pleasure. Choose shoes that are comfortable for your feet. The ribbed and flexible outsole helps you keep your balance. If you have diseases of the joints of the legs, purchase additional corrective insoles and shock absorbers in advance. Water resistance is also a major criterion, because you will be walking in the snow.

How to choose?

The choice of walking shoes should be approached responsibly, as durable and comfortable shoes is everyone's dream. The most important thing is to buy sneakers from trusted manufacturers. Market models bought cheaper will become a complete disappointment after a month of wearing.