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Any recommendations for walking/hiking shoes?

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Stubbs66

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Apologies, I have tried to search to see if this has been posted before.

I have been using walking as my exercise for a number of years. I find, with 28 years of T1 under my belt, at the age of 54, this is what suits me best. In lockdown, now it has relaxed a little in the UK, and with being furloughed, I am averaging about 14,000 steps a day with two main walks of @5.5km a day. My pace is 88cm and I manage those two walks in around 43-45 mins, so I am going at a reasonable speed.

(N.B. I have found that if I try for a further walk, I nearly always send my blood sugars way down. 40 minutes walking is my ideal, manageable 'bite-size exercise).

Anyway, anyone have a recommended make of walking shoe (not boot)? One that's easy to wear in?
 
I just went into the closest sports store and bought running shoes with the thickest sole, I also like a high arch, so I had to try a bunch on. Most of Nike shoes fit me pretty well, that’s what I ended up buying. I really wanted a pair of sponge bob shoes, my daughter wouldn’t have it.
 

If this would be your first pair of bespoke walking shoes, I would suggest going to a specialist retailer to be properly fitted.

Whilst not for walking shoes, a few years ago, whilst playing sport at a high level, I did this a couple of times, over the years, and was astonished by what I learned, and how a small difference could impact the comfort and my performance.

Well worth the fee, in my view.

Good for you for using your additional time productively.
 
I went to a sports store after my long-distance-walking father in law recommended one to me after I asked about his shoes. Had an assistant to help me find the right ones. I have a foot length that isn't proportionate to my width (I'm a shoe size up, or my pinky toe gets murdered), and it turned out the best shoe for me and my weird feet was a Puma. Made one heck of a difference as my feet didn't hurt all the time any more. I could forget about ever wearing anything properly cute or classy again, but heck... They're Puma's, they have kitties on them. *shrug* So that was what was right for me, doesn't mean it'll be what's right for you. Try everything and anything, and have an expert help you in your search. All in all, invest in something that'll help you walk with pleasure. It's well worth it. Oh, and maybe gel soles... I don't use them, but my husband is on his feet all day and swears by them.
 
Hi @Stubbs66

I do a lot of walking - often pretty long distances as well as frequently. I’ve found ASICS running shoes designed for long distance running to be excellent in terms of weight, support and ability to wear out of the box without rubbing or blistering. ASICS stores are good at recommending the right type of shoe - I over pronate so pick the styles designed to support that.

Skechers are also very comfortable - fit like gloves, but don’t provide so much support.
 
I bought a pair of Keen hiking shoes (low-top version of the boot) last fall. Big, wide, high toe box, very "bouncy", and no break-in period at all. Lightweight too, and sticky tread. Watch out for trapped gravel chewing up your wood floor though!
 
I have a few different pairs of skechers which are very comfortable for walking in - especially the memory foam ones - they adjust to the shape of your foot
 
Yes - skechers is a great brand for walking shoes. My mother - a keen hiker from way back got me on to them and I have never looked back - she used to have about five or six different pairs for different outfits and terrains. (some of them are gorgeous.)

My own go-to is the skechers black working shoe - is leather for rain and mud, has a protective toe and heel, great non-slip sole, the same memory foam insole. They were dearer than ordinary skechers, but a very good buy - I'm still walking/hiking in them now in all-weather several years later, and they are still going strong. Ordinary skechers for urban walking - all good, but these ones are fantatic heavy duty for rural bush walks in muddy and steep terrain.

But yes - ugly as. The ugliest walking shoe in existence! But I love them.
 
I am a fan of ‘barefoot’ exercise shoes - so the complete opposite of those which have already been offered. No arch support, thin, unpadded tough soles and huge roomy toe boxes. The theory goes that without a lot of padding, we walk (or run) with mid-foot strike (as opposed to a heel-strike) which reduces impact, amongst other benefits.

I find them incredibly comfy, but I already spend most of my time barefoot or in flat shoes so I don’t have contracted hamstrings, don’t have any gait issues, have good arches and wide feet. They are not something to put on and walk miles in first time, there is an adaptation phase, but hey... another thing to take look at, if it interests you.
 
I use Merrel Moab because they suit me for long distances, 800 - 1000kM.
I would suggest that you find some wool socks which fit well and are comfortable. Take them and any orthotics to a good outdoor store and try on as many pairs of shoes as you can, bearing in mind that as you walk your feet will swell and spread. If there is any rubbing or pinching from the shoes when in the shop it will only get worse so don't buy shoes that have that problem, they will not wear in. Consider shoes ½ size larger than normal. Choose shoes for comfort not brand although many of those above are good shoes.
 
@teddietottie I think my brother used to run in shoes like you describe. I had painful gyn issues for decades, and jogged ball-of-foot-lands-first during that time. It's definitely my tens of thousands of miles of pavement jogging that landed me with two bionic hips in my 60's!! It's hard to push a baby-jogger on a park trail lol and who wants the spiderwebs and mosquitoes anyway.
I wear flat shoes all the time except formally, but they may have thick soles for reasons such as protection on a rocky rough mountain trail, or sure footing on wet or icy surfaces. Around here, we have to watch out for snakes while hiking, so the more sturdy your shoe, the safer your foot/ankle.
 
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