How to choose walking shoes?

High-quality sports shoes from world brands, of course, are not cheap, but you should not skimp on your health. In addition, you can get not only benefits from sports training and active recreation, but also pleasure. With the right branded sneakers, this becomes an easily achievable goal. So how do you choose them?

Requirements for quality walking shoes

Lovers of walks or fans of race walking are well aware of the consequences of incorrectly selected shoes, so when purchasing, you should take into account the main requirements for sneakers:

• elastic thick sole to protect feet from road unevenness;
• the highest quality sole is a three-layer rubber sole, the tread should not slip;
• soft toe and hard heel to fix the leg and prevent dislocation;
• elastic sole materials providing good shock absorption;
• the best materials for the upper are textiles and leather.

How to choose depending on the type of walking?

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

Not all fans of walking are fans of long, measured exercise; some prefer more energetic movements during intense training. In this case, light, soft sneakers that support the shin are suitable. In addition, an important factor is ventilated shoe materials, since overheating of the foot during training is extremely 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. Water resistance is one of the main requirements for such sneakers..

The choice of shoes for Nordic walking deserves special attention. A corrugated, flexible sole that provides reliable traction and water resistance are the criteria for lovers of this newfangled winter sport.

How should they differ from running shoes?

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

When running, shoes should provide the foot with freedom of movement, but when walking, the foot should be well secured.

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

Important! Visually, the “running” sneakers are distinguished by high lacing that secures the ankle.

Differences between women and men

Serious sneaker manufacturers must take into account the anatomical features of women's and men's feet. What you should pay attention to when choosing these shoes:

• a woman’s foot is narrower in the back than a man’s, so the last in women’s sneakers should be narrower and more securely fix the foot;
• the female push from the surface is slower and weaker, therefore models for the fairer sex are softer;
• Sneakers for women have increased cushioning and less dense shock-absorbing inserts, since women tend to weigh less than men and have less developed muscles.

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

What should you research when purchasing?

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

• the presence of a wide corrugated sole;
• there should be a rubber lining on the socks that protects against delamination;
• The stitching lines should be even and tight;
• no glue stains on the surface of the shoes;
• they should be light in weight;
• on the heel there is a manufacturer's logo, on the tongue there is a label with markings.

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

Upper and sole material

That part of the upper of the shoe that is in contact with the sole must be made of leather. There are synthetic mesh inserts in the middle and upper parts for better ventilation.The advantage of high-quality synthetic material is its strength and durability.

Only a three-layer sole made of wear-resistant rubber can provide excellent shock absorption. The high relief should overlap the toe, and the tread should extend onto the back of the heel for added stability.

Important! The tread material is porous rubber, not rubber!

Arch support, laces

The instep support is responsible for the comfort of the foot in the shoe. When trying on, pay attention: the leg is uncomfortable, which means you need to select another model, with “your own” arch support. If you sacrifice comfort for the sake of design or price, there will be an increased risk of developing flat feet.

Laces should be chosen flat, made of synthetic material, as they secure the foot well and do not come undone.

How do you know if the sneakers are chosen correctly?

To prevent incorrectly selected sports shoes from leading to health problems, when going shopping you need to follow some rules:

• It is better to plan a trip to the store for sneakers in the evening: By this time, the legs have already slightly increased in size and become a little tired, so you can evaluate the sensation during training or long walking.
• You need to try on shoes with approximately the same sock in which you will be training. If you walk around the store in new sneakers, even a few meters, you will understand how comfortable your feet are in them. If there is the slightest discomfort, you need to switch to another model.

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

Top best brands

1. The oldest manufacturer of sports shoes is Reebok.The quality of these shoes is beyond doubt, provided they are purchased in a company store.
2. Nike is another well-established name. The company sponsors many world-class sporting events. Excellent product quality and a wide range have long brought Nike to the top manufacturers of sports shoes.
3. Adidas can confidently guarantee the quality and durability of its sneakers. Today this company is one of the leaders in the shoe market for sporting goods.
4. Asics, a Japanese manufacturer of sporting goods, does not lag behind its American and German colleagues. In the modern market, it is confidently included in the top 5 best sports brands.