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Walking in running shoes has all the wisdom of haiking in ballet slippers. It's aestheicallt in correct, to be sure, but it's also not very smart.A lot of people think walking is just running slow. If you're walking to stay in shape and you're wearing old running or areobics shoes, your knees, shins hips and back will tell you it's time to invest in another pair of shoes.
HERE ARE SOME WALKING SHOE GEAR IDEAS YOU CAN USE:
NICK AIR---ALIGN
($65.00)women only;The shoe may look rather traditional, but it's designed with modern walkers in mind:it's extremly lightwight and flexible(great news for speedy walkers and shin-splint suffers.)
ETONIC--EON WALKER
($85.00)This shoe was made for anyone who pronates(or rolls in on their ankles). If you're not sure if you pronate, set your sneakers on flat surface and look at them from behind. If the shoe lean inward excessively you pronate.Another plus, the Eon Walker is available in wides, which is rare in athletic shoes.
ADIDAS EQUIPMENT--BAREWALK
($85.00)Barewalk feels funny when you first put it on, which is ironic because this shoe is designed to make you feel like your're barefoot. The Bare's ealk's rounded edge and lower midsole plant your foor firmly on the ground.
SAUCONY GRID MOTION
Distinguishing feature: An
interlocking web of rubbery
filaments in the insole under your
heel (the GRID) that offers just
enough cushioning
Test results: On a leisurely stroll, I
felt snugly comfortable as my heels
nestled into place on their GRIDs.
For a superquick pace, though, they
weren't so wonderful: The extra squish limited my ability to step
out, almost as if my forward propulsion were being absorbed
back into the shoe.
RYKA SPORTWALKER
Distinguishing features: The
Nitracel sock liner gives a
customized fit and a soft ride. Extra
mesh in the upper (more reminiscent
of a running shoe) offers refreshing
breathability.
Test results: This baby just
screams athleticism and speed, and it
means business. I easily hit my
sweat-producing stride in the
SportWalker, with the low-profile
heel providing all the surefootedness and cushioning — soft, not
fluffy — I needed.
Ideal user: A value-conscious, moderately fast walker who likes
not only to feel cool on the roads, but to look cool, too
Price: $60 (all leather, $65)
NEW BALANCE 652
Distinguishing feature: A firm
medial post: a band of rubber inside
the shoe that prevents ankle roll-ins
Test results: New Balance is
known for safe, stable shoes, and the
652 offers the right, er, balance of
moderate cushioning and superior
pronation protection. Grooves under
the ball of the foot provided great
flexibility, and the sole design nearly
threw me forward into each step.
Ideal user: The brisk fitness walker who demands stability and a
wide selection of widths
Price: $70
FILA EXPERIENCE
Distinguishing features: The outsole
cuts up under the arch to support you. The
2 Action system's rubber "pillars" hold
you steady.
Test results: With stability came a bit of
stiffness, making the Experience less than
rewarding when I wanted to leave people
in the dust. A fashion note: Its conservative
looks mean you can move seamlessly from
a sweat session to a shopping one.
Ideal user: A moderate walker who
wants a handsome, but
non-athletic-looking, shoe — and a great
value
Price: $65
AVIA 3097
Distinguishing feature: The Cantilever
system on the outsole: a concave heel that
promotes stability and a foot-enveloping
cradle
Test results: With my heel snugly
ensconced, I felt that low-to-the-ground
steadiness I need for a smooth
heel-strike-through-toe-off. Grooves at the
ball of the foot made pushing off easy and
efficient. 3M reflective material on the
uppers let me do it all in the dark.
Ideal user: The serious fitness walker
who doesn't want marshmallows underfoot
or armorlike rigidity
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