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What is a walk specific shoe
Different sports put different demands on your feet, so just as you can buy football boots and running shoes, a walk specific shoe is designed to support and protect the vulnerable parts of your feet whilst Power Walking. Power Walking or Fitness shoes as they are often called can now be found in many sports shops. Here are four important points to look out for.
A good toe box
This is the area around the toes. Make sure it is rounded, roomy and deep enough to wiggle your toes easily so that each time you push off from the back foot you have plenty of toe protection.
Low heel profile
The angle of a walker’s foot as it pushes off is much greater than that of a runner. Consequently look for a shoe with a low heel profile and avoid injuring your Achilles tendon.
Flexibility
Walking shoes must be flexible, supportive and well cushioned underneath the ball of the foot and around the heel, both areas take quite a pounding!
The right width and the right length
Before you go shopping get to know your feet and make a few notes: are they a narrow or wide fitting, do you have a slim heel, which is your longest toe? This usually means that your Power Walking shoes could be a full size larger than your normal shoe size, don’t worry this is normal. Go for the correct fit and you will avoid all sorts of foot complaints not least of all black toe nails…not attractive!
Ok - so what now?
Follow this link and find out about the shoes that we rate as the best and some top tips on buying them