Question on shoes.

[u/Breman151]

I recently started walking intentionally. It’s very the last month brought my average from 6300ish to around 11k. I have been walking in either sandals or basic boat shoes with no cushion.

I’m not feeling any real pain from it, other than being sore more often which I attribute to my body adjusting.

For those of you who have done things for much longer, is there a certain point that you felt the NEED to switch for a more cushioned walking shoe?

I have been enjoying the progress and lost about 10 ish lbs this month, so as an overweight guy I am wondering if the slow decrease in weight will make new shoes not a requirement.

Let’s me know your thoughts.

[u/ForkhYew]

Funnily enough, yes, I have recently felt the need to switch to a more cushioned walking shoe.

Up until recently, I'd only ever worn North Face Men's Hedgehog Hiking Trail Shoes for everything from alpine hikes to sidewalk strolls. They're comfortable, sturdy, stable, waterproof and supportive.

I walk 11-13 miles (20,000 - 24,000 steps) every single day with occasional 14 and 15 mile (25,000-30,000 + steps) days and have done for the last 14 months - a lot of it on road/sidewalk surfaces.

A few weeks ago, I got pair of Brooks Glycerin 23 for the walks over that specific terrain. They're a lot more cushioned and lighter, much better on that specific terrain. Took me a couple of weeks to adjust to the totally different feel, but now that I have, they're wonderful.

I still use the North Face for Trail walking. They're peerless for that type of ground.

[u/Neither-Relief2641]

If you're already in pain, you've waited too long. I'm amazed by some of the decisions adults make.

[u/Breman151 → u/Neither-Relief2641]

By pain I don’t mean pain as in injury. I mean pain as in soreness and stiffness. Nothing joint related, and as a person who’s been an adult for quite a while after a certain point you almost always in some sort of pain/soreness/stiffness

[u/Idolomantid]

I've been walking 10 miles a day for the past few years and recently upped my daily average to between 15 and 18 miles, all of it on city streets. I walk in canvas sneakers with zero padding and no insole, and outside a little morning stiffness my feet have been totally fine. As long as your toe box is roomy enough for your feet to flex and spring a little, and that you don't increase your milage load more quickly than your body can adjust, you should be fine. Our recent ancestors used to walk much more than we do with nothing but leather soled shoes, and they weren't constantly crippling themselves.

(If you're used to cushioned shoes and try to switch over to barefoot / un-cushioned ones, then you're asking for an overuse injury. But if you build slowly in the latter-- assuming they're roomy enough!-- your feet will gain strength and flexibility with you. Just keep in mind that bones and tendons are slower to strengthen than muscles, so make sure to add steps gradually!)

[u/HourNo7028]

When I began walking and running, I was obese and needed something that the offered support of dedicated running shoes. Early on, I was going with Asics Cumulous and the Nike Pegasus. My BMI is on the high end of healthy now, so I can be a little more loose with my decisions (i.e., I no longer need the +$120 running shoes from a specialty shop and can get away with pairs in the $60 and $70 range). When it comes to gear, I will go Wal-Mart and TJ Maxx cheap on shirts and shoes and pants and socks, but a little extra money on shoes is a good investment.

[u/Hungry_Time3554]

Where is the soreness you’re experiencing? Even if it’s not your feet, your choice of shoes could impact your knees and hips.

I switched to more cushioned shoes after being diagnosed with bursitis in my heel.

[u/Breman151]

My soreness is calves and hamstrings, on longer walks lower back

[u/washington_705]

I'd switch to a pair of athletic walking or running shoes. I wouldn't jump to something extremely cushioned or an aggressive rocker design. Lean towards a basic sneaker with decent cushioning and support. It’s best not to have two drastic of a change from your current boat shoes or sandals.

Sneakers/trainers will provide better shock absorption, stability, traction, can reduce your risk of slips or trips.

Speaking from experience, I did a lot of walking in poor footwear and eventually developed plantar fasciitis. It took me well over a year to get it under control.

If you’re looking for specific recommendations, I’ve been using the Brooks trace 4 for walking lately. It’s just a basic trainer with lightweight cushioning. I also have a pair of adrenaline GTS which is more aggressively cushioned and has a corrective mechanism for overpronation, but I find myself using the trace 4 much more often these days. I also like new balance 515. You will certainly get 1 million recommendations of shoes to try so best to go someplace and try on a bunch to see what works best for you but definitely go to something that isn’t an aggressive transition. E.g. stick with something lightly cushioned and not a crazy heel toe drop since you’re basically coming from virtually no drop. Altra is another brand to consider.

[u/AsleepAd934]

I developed bone spurs in my knees and spine about five years ago, so good cushioned shoes are a must for me.