Walking is an easily accessible, yet incredibly beneficial exercise to boost your overall wellness. The physical benefits are due to the low-impact, enjoyable way to get your whole body moving. At the same time, venturing outdoors and taking a daily walk can have a positive impact on your mental health as well.
Yet despite knowing how important walking is for health and well-being, it can sometimes be hard to motivate ourselves to get up and out the door. One big factor that can hold people back is footwear.
When you invest in footwear that provides the comfort, support, and style you need, walking with confidence can easily become your new favorite activity.
Exploring the Health and Wellness Benefits of Walking
Walking is one of the most natural and instinctual activities the human body can partake in.
In modern society, our daily lifestyles often force us to take on more sedentary roles than our ancestors did, but many of us could benefit greatly just from adding some additional walking into our routines.
Notable health benefits of walking include1:
- Healthy weight maintenance
- Prevention of disease
- Improved cardiovascular fitness
There are so many wellness benefits that walking provides that it would be impossible to name them all. Moreover, walking doesn’t just help us maintain physical fitness, this activity also has the power to give us a mental boost as well.
Walking has been shown to have a positive impact on the mind by2:
- Improving cognitive function
- Boosting mood and energy
- Reducing stress and tension
So, if you’ve been considering whether or not it’s worth it to pick up walking as a regular hobby, the answer is a resounding yes. The benefits of walking daily cannot be overstated.
Now, experiencing the numerous benefits of this activity is certainly an exciting prospect, but it’s important to secure the proper footwear before really diving into the wonderful world of walking.
Why is that?
Because investing in the right pair of shoes can transform the comfort of your walking experience and help you feel safe and supported at all times.
The Connection Between Comfortable Shoes and Consistent Walking
If your goal is to get in more steps each day, then the best thing you can do for yourself is to make the action of walking as enjoyable and easy as possible to seamlessly incorporate into your daily routine. For example, if you experience foot pain during or after your walking sessions, you may come to associate walking with discomfort and it will then become harder to motivate yourself to stay consistent with a regular walking routine.
This is why investing in the right shoes is integral to the success and sustainability of your individual walking practice.
The feet and ankles take on a huge amount of responsibility every time we walk. They carry the weight of our bodies and navigate over imperfect terrain, all while avoiding injuries via tripping or twisting the ankle. With high-quality shoes on your side to support all the elements of the foot, you are less likely to injure yourself while walking daily.
When you go the extra mile to support your body, you’ll be empowered to go that extra mile on your adventures. Contrastingly, if you walk carelessly using flimsy shoes, your body won’t be able to operate at peak performance.
Note: If you own a pair of running shoes and want to learn more about why they aren’t ideal for walking, check out our guide on the differences between running shoes vs walking shoes.
Arch Support for Elevating Walking Comfort and Longevity
Any up-to-par pair of walking shoes will provide adequate support to the arches of the feet.
When shoes do not provide proper arch support, the foot’s range of motion is inhibited, and other body parts are forced to strain in an attempt to overcompensate.2 As a result, insufficient arch support can lead to problems that extend to other areas of the body, such as pain in the2:
- Knees
- Hips
- Lower back
With all of these potential problems at risk of occuring, plus the possibility of unnecessary damage to the ankles and heels, a lack of arch support can easily turn the activity of brisk walking into an unpleasant and painful experience.
If arch support is a priority for you, our Walk Strider Sneaker is an ideal choice. Equipped with advanced alignment technology that provides both arch support and cushioning, this footwear offers the highest standard of stability and flexibility.
Cushioning Technology: Reducing Impact and Discomfort
During a long day of walking—whether that’s exploring a new city or perusing a theme park—your feet are typically bound to start feeling sore and achy. But with the right cushioning technology implemented in your shoes, you can enjoy an extra spring in your step for longer. With that said, you may be wondering, “then what is a good walking shoe?”.
High-quality shoe cushioning can make you feel like you’re walking on pillows, and our 23Walk Classic Sneaker is equipped with a flexible, cushioned outsole for this exact purpose. The shoe outsole, or the bottom part of the shoe that makes contact with the ground, plays an integral role in supporting the foot and creating a comfortable walking experience.
This popular shoe is available in a model made for men as well as a design engineered for women.
Invest in shoes that employ ultra-comfortable cushioning technology to soften your impact with every step: your feet will thank you.
Traction Matters for Safety and Stability in Walking Shoes
Nobody wants to feel insecure or constantly on edge while trying to enjoy a nice walk.
If you’ve ever attempted to walk in uncomfortable formal shoes or tried to scramble over treacherous terrain in shoes that weren’t specifically designed for exploration, then you know firsthand how instability can ruin a walking experience.
Investing in shoes that are specifically designed to offer high traction is key to keeping yourself safe while on your daily walk.
High traction shoes work similar to the tread patterns on car tires: they’ll help you grip the ground as you move and remain stable even if the ground gets a little slippery.
Breathability and Moisture Control in All-Season Footwear
Part of being a human involves sweating when you exert energy—and that includes our feet.
When you use a pair of shoes frequently and for long durations, they are bound to get a bit stuffy. That’s why choosing footwear with built-in breathability is so important. Select shoes made with moisture-wicking materials such as mesh and look for shoe designs that feature a lightweight and breathable upper.
This will allow your feet to get some fresh air as you walk so they can continue to feel airy, light, and comfortable no matter the distance they need to take you.
Orthotic Inserts: Tailoring Footwear to Your Unique Needs
Orthotics are special inserts used to provide extra support to the foot or ankle. They go inside of your shoe and help to5:
- Align and support
- Correct or prevent foot deformities
- Optimize the foot’s function
Our Women’s Active Insole adds enhanced support to your walking shoes. These inserts are engineered with top-quality materials to provide:
- Motion control & stability
- Shock absorption
- Control during walking
You can trim these insoles to fit your foot’s exact specifications so that your shoes will fit like a glove and provide optimal support for all your power (or leisure) walking needs.
Footwear Maintenance for Ensuring Long-Term Benefits
When it comes to clothing, it’s better to own one high-quality item that will last you years rather than twenty flimsy items that you’ll throw away after one use.
If you’ve ever wondered, “how long do walking shoes last?”, the same principle applies to shoes for regular walking.
It’s best to invest in one or a few pairs of well-made shoes specifically crafted for moderate activity like walking, and then take stellar care of them so that they won’t need replacing any time soon. To increase the longevity of your footwear, be sure to:
- Alternate between shoes when possible to give each pair a rest, especially if brisk walking is part of your daily routine
- Use caution and delicate cleansers when freshening up your shoes
- Avoid walking in terrain that may be harsh or damaging (unless this is what jumpstarts your walking journey)
You don’t need to worry about the state of your shoes to excess: shoes are bound to experience some routine wear and tear. After all, that’s part of their job. However, by being intentional with how you use and clean your shoes, you can extend their lifespan and take full advantage of your footwear investment, while still prioritizing your daily physical activity.
Exploring Specialized Walking Shoes to Meet Every Need
Walking is a simple joy that you can experience in your own satisfying and fulfilling way. And many walking shoes are specially designed to accommodate feet and bodies of all types.
Here are three strategies you can use to find shoes that meet specialized needs:
- Use cushioned walking shoes to alleviate joint pain
- Try orthotics to help shoes fit your unique foot shape most comfortably
- Look for shoes with alignment technology that can help with balance
Our wide selection of shoes and special inserts at Vionic can provide these accommodations and so much more. Engineered with bio-mechanics, our footwear is ideal for alleviating pain, promoting foot health, and even supporting individuals who are experiencing conditions like plantar fasciitis.
As a brand certified by the American Podiatric Medical Association, our mission has always been to create shoes that provide the support you need to move exactly the way you want.
Find Your Perfect Pair of Walking Shoes from Vionic
For those that have been wondering, what are the benefits of walking, the answer is multi-pronged. Not only does daily walking provide physical health benefits, but it also boosts mental health for a holistic approach to wellness. And to get the most out of your walks, you need a great pair of walking shoes to support you.
Invest in a high-quality pair of performance and recovery shoes from our collection at Vionic so you can start off your walking journey on the right foot.
Sources:
- Mayo Clinic. Walking: Trim your waistline, improve your health. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/walking/art-20046261
- Maine.gov. Why Is It Important to Wear Good Walking Shoes? https://www.maine.gov/mdot/challengeme/topics/docs/2019/may/Why-Is-It-Important-to-Wear-Good-Walking-Shoes.pdf
- OrthoInfo. Orthotics. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/orthotics/
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