These Shoes Are Made for walking
Walking is easy on the budget. It requires no special equipment other than sturdy, supportive shoes and sensible socks.
Walking shoes have evolved into “systems” designed to make putting one foot in front of the other as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. “There are many qualities to consider;’ Fenton says. “But the four most important are fit, roll, weight, and flexibility.”
Fit. Above all else, make sure the shoe fits. Your arch should rest on the shoe’s arch. Your heel should be held firmly but comfortably in the heel counter (the curved insert at the back of the shoe). Make sure that your toes don’t press up against the front and that your foot isn’t rubbed at the sides.
Roll The front and rear of the outsole (the bottom of the shoe) should be rounded
to encourage a smooth, rolling heel-to-toe stride. Running shoes often have outsoles with flat, flared heels and toes to absorb the shock of a runner’s footstrikes. Walking shoes don’t need this extra shock absorption and shouldn’t have it.
Weight. The lighter, the better. Hold different models of shoes in your hands to compare their weights.
Flexibility. Walking shoes should not feel stiff or restrict foot flexing. Stiff shoes make for sore feet and may contribute to muscle strains.
Consider shape and construction, too. The best shoe has a squarish toe box for comfort and “wiggle room,” a notched collar (the opening ofthe shoe), and a firm heel counter for support and stability. It should feel well-cushioned but not spongy, with plenty of padding around heel and ankle and on the tongue. Check where your old shoes are worn, and make sure that your new shoes are extra-strong in those areas.
Do your shoe shopping in the afternoon, since your feet swell over the course of a day. And try on both shoes, not just one. Your feet may be different sizes, in which case you’ll need to buy two different-size pairs to fit each foot properly. Some retailers will discount the second pair, so call around and ask before you make your purchase.
Keep in mind that walking shoes are designed to fit the average foot-but many people don’t have average feet. That’s why their feet hurt even after they have splurged on good shoes. If this happens to you, try orthotics. These shoe inserts not only provide extra support but also reshape the feet by adjusting balance and the demands on some foot muscles. “This reshaping takes time,” says David B. Alper, D.P.M., a podiatrist in Belmont, Massachusetts. “Start by wearing orthotics for 2 to 3 hours, then add an hour a day until your feet adapt to them.”
You can buy ready-made orthotics in many drugstores, shoe stores, and shoe repair shops. “Ready-made orthotics are inexpensive and often effective;’ Dr. Alper says. “Even if they don’t help, they won’t cause any harm.”
If your feet continue to hurt, however, you’ll need to consult a podiatrist for custommade orthotics. They typically cost around $300, Dr. Alper says. In most cases, that’s a one-time expenditure-unless you wear out your orthotics over many years of wear or your feet change because of significant weight loss or gain.
Related Links
http://www.nasa.gov/
December 18 2008 05:38 am | Health