Long Distance Walkers

~Elsie

~Elsie

Cathlete
Hey there walkers! :)

Was wondering which shoes you depend on to get you along all your miles? I am looking for a new pair, hopefully a pair that will last longer than 7 months (these last pair). All the usual contenders I suppose are Saucony, New Balance, Ryka, Abeo, Brooks.
Any recs?
 
I don't usually walk outside, I use my treadmill. I will walk, run, sprint, hop, forward bound etc. it's a spectacle! But I've relied on running shoes for that because they have the best heel cushioning for me. I always end up with Asics. I've tried others within my price range (because some can be quite pricey).....but always go back to Asics. You really have to try them on and MOVE in them. Do some high knees, pop swats and so on. If your looking for trail or hiking shoes, that's really different. It all depends on what your specific needs are. Good luck!
 
Thanks tlc! : ) I do have trail runners (North Face, they're okay ...I mostly got them for waterproofing and they have lasted me a good while) and yeah they are quite different from a long distance walking shoe. I am realizing now that I need a different one specific for walking. Walkers usually have more flexibility in the front of the shoe and motion control in the middle. I tried the Asics Gel Frequency 2 which was recommended when I was out tonight, but I found they didn't have enough space at the top of the shoe (not the toe, but the top). The saleperson was also really liking Asics Gel Keyano 22. Are these the ones you like? They were better I thought.
Next time, I'll be doing some of those pop squats for testing purposes only!! lol.
 
Elsie - I use very, very cheap walking shoes (Quechua) with an orthotic. I get through 2- 3 pairs per year, but I find it better to use a cheaper shoe and switch often, than a more expensive one and replace less frequently. I have 2 pairs on the go at once, and alternate between them. I do about 10 miles per day on rough terrain (no hills, though!) I'd wear something different if I was pounding the pavements. I also have walking boots for 'proper' hiking - days when we might do 30 miles including hills - so my ankles have support. If it ever gets really hot, I switch to walking sandals - but I hate getting grass etc stuck between my toes!
 
Hi Elsie:

if you are actually hill-walking or hiking, the rugged terrain demands a shoe with ankle support, arch support and sole support. For this, I always wear a Merrell, high boot with Gore Tex lining for waterproofing. This is for all day hiking with backpack.

For my long power walks around town, average 11-12 miles several times per week and walking on pavement, I use my regular running shoe. I am an Asics girl. I keep the Asics for running only when they are new, because they tend not to be as flexible as I need for fast walking when brand new, but the cushioning is ideal for running, of course. I am a heel striker, so I need thick heel cushioning for running. However, for walking, I need a fast push off from the fore foot and greater flexibility for toe-off.

So, here is what I do (a method that may be up for revision). I use the Asics gel GT 2000 series. When brand new, they are running shoes. After a year, or 6 months, depending on how much running I have actually done in them, they are perfect for power walking/long distance walking. The last pair of power walking sneaks I just retired as 'gardening shoes only,' I had used them as walkers for about 4-5 years, which is actually a tad too long. I was getting pains and aches because there is absolutely NO cushioning left in them, just zero. However, economics demands I use my gear as long as I possibly can!

I got a new pair, but unfortunately, Asics changed the fit slightly, and the new size 8.5 no longer felt so good, felt like an 8, so I had to go get a new pair. Power walking makes the feet swell, just as long distance running does. We long distance walkers suffer the same black toe and toe nail losses as runners if shoes are ill-fitting. So, now I have 1 pair of gardening shoes, and another pair I use for 'errands and about town shenanigans.'

I got a new pair and went up a half size to the Asics gel GT 2000 second series size 9: perfect! I got them from amazon.com because they are the model before this year's, and I got an excellent price for them. I had no choice but to use them as power walking shoes right out of the box. And, I am happy to say, they perform beautifully and have needed no breaking in! Last time I did my 11 miler, I shaved 6 mins of usual time. So........

I recently bought a brand new pair of Gel Kayanos (20% discount at rei.com). It is a superb running shoe. However! You need to know that it is a stability shoe made by Asics, for the moderate to heavy over-pronator/who weighs over 150 pounds-ish. It has fab cushioning, really like landing on soft pillows, and is excellent as a RUNNING SHOE especially if you are a heel striker. Kelly Coffey-Meyer also uses hers as her 'go-to' studio fitness shoe. However, I personally think that it has too much cushioning to make it an effective long distance/power walking shoe. It will not be flexible enough. I am saving mine as a running shoe only. It has a higher heel drop than most other Asics shoes (height differential between the heel and the toe) and this matters as you get older and lose flexibility in calf muscles and the achilles tendon. Too much of a heel raise can shorten the achilles if you wear that shoe exclusively. So, you'd need to make sure you stretch that calf and achilles assiduously to prevent problems with tendonitis. (I am learning this the hard way).

Does any of this help? So much of shoe buying falls to trial and error I think.

I have looked many times at the shoes many companies market to 'walkers' and I will never buy them. I think they are targetting someone who walks with her friends around the mall for 3 miles before the stores open, chatting the entire time with head turned sideways. This is not me. I'm thinking, it's not you either?!! Get yourself a good running shoe that offers the perfect compromise between flexibility and cushioning. If you go to runnersworld.com they have multi-annual reviews of shoes with a really cool and helpful scale for each shoe that evaluates this all-important cushioning versus flexibility issue.

Clare
 
Justinef said:
Elsie - I use very, very cheap walking shoes (Quechua) with an orthotic. I get through 2- 3 pairs per year, but I find it better to use a cheaper shoe and switch often, than a more expensive one and replace less frequently. I have 2 pairs on the go at once, and alternate between them. I do about 10 miles per day on rough terrain (no hills, though!) I'd wear something different if I was pounding the pavements. I also have walking boots for 'proper' hiking - days when we might do 30 miles including hills - so my ankles have support. If it ever gets really hot, I switch to walking sandals - but I hate getting grass etc stuck between my toes!
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Justine:

where do you live? Next time I'm over in the UK, I'm gonna come see you and we can walk those daily 10 milers together! We'll have a walk-off........ and then you can squat and deadlift me into oblivion!

Clare
 
maddiesmum said:
However, for walking, I need a fast push off from the fore foot and greater flexibility for toe-off.
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Yes, I am the same way with walking. Also, I wear those socks with some cushioning around the ball of the foot. Darn Tough socks is the brand.
Your explanations have been VERY helpful for me. Thank you so, so much. I'm not near 150 lbs so I think I will steer away from the high cushioned shoes...thank you, I didn't even know that. I also do not pound any pavement. I am exclusively a walker (no running) & I do walk hills. Although, sometimes I like to go around the track. I think it's interesting how you graduate your running sneaker to a fast performance walker. : ) I actually tried on a couple of pairs of the "older lady" sneakers and they are quite comfortable and fit my freaky long toes and do not pinch the top of my foot, but I found them too high off the ground (I felt like I was walking forward too much) and there was too much heavy material in the mid-line which would interfere was speedier walking I think. Flexibility is really important as you point out.

Justine, what kind of insole/orthotic are you using? I've been looking at some but fear they would take up too much room in my shoe. Although, if I tried your method of a low/cheaper shoe, it would probably fit better right? Wow! 10 miles. That's awesome.

I'm really, really bad at shopping so I appreciate your help a lot. I always get so overwhelmed with choices and to add to that, I try to avoid animal/leather products. Most sales associates gimme that alien look. lol.
 
I'd really like it a lot if we could all get together for long distance walks! That would be a fun day. I'll admit, part of the reason I have slowed down on my frequency in taking walks is that I got bored of going on my own all of the time. Half of the time, I LOVE doing it on my own cause it clears the mind and allows a kind of mindfullness that can only be achieved with oneself and one's natural surroundings (IMO). The other half, I would enjoy a buddy who walks at relatively the same pace as me. :) DH will only go if there is a food destination along the way & he still complains about everything. lol. He's one these people that thinks he needs the whole sidewalk for himself and trips or moves off when people pass him.
 
I'm in Lincolnshire, and I'd love to walk with you all! I walk locally every day (straight out my front door) and then, every so often go to the Derbyshire Dales, or into Yorkshire, for some proper walking. I take my two dogs. My husband walks too, and sometimes I walk with friends. I like my pace and my thoughts, though (like you, Elsie!) - so I'm a picky companion!!! And if your hubbie comes along, we can do a long walk to the pub - a Sunday favourite of my friends and mine.

Elsie, I just use very basic insoles http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...heel sports&qid=1438956318&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1
as I was told by a podiatrist that my feet weren't so unusual that they needed anything more (he actually said that my feet were nothing special - didn't know how to take that!) I take the insole bit out of the shoe, and put the orthotic in. And socks - oh don't they make all the difference????
 
I could not resist posting when I saw this thread. I love walking. Love it. I've been revamping my workout program because of the arthritis issue, which has decided to take up residence in one of my big toes now. :) FINALLY I have a good excuse to make walking a part of my workouts, instead of high impact craziness. I'm so happy!

The shoe situation has been interesting. Right now I'm using New Balance 990, which is one of the oldest models they make, and thank heavens they keep on making it. I have custom made inserts because of my ridiculously stubborn plantar fasciitis. Finally, it's going away. I have two pairs of these shoes - one for around the house and walking, and one that I wear to work, and who cares about the dress code. My feet are finally happy.

In the summer I walk on paved roads. I live out in the country, so traffic isn't bad. There are some pretty good hills. In the winter, once the ticks, chiggers, spiders and snakes go away, I usually take to the woods. I'm spending this summer working on my speed, since walking is a relatively new addition - I've always loved to walk but never got competitive with it. Finding enough time is a bit of an issue, so right now I'm just doing around 5 miles.
 
maddiesmum said:
Does any of this help? So much of shoe buying falls to trial and error I think.
Click to expand...

So true! Just a friendly suggestion to keep all of your receipts as you experiment with different shoes, Elsie! Also make sure to know the retailer's return policy. I had a baby 3 months ago and the pregnancy KILLED my feet. My old shoes no longer cut it for me. I have fallen arches and other issues and am now at least a half shoe size bigger, so I've been buying + trying on + experimenting with + returning shoes like crazy. If you live in the U.S., I've found that Dick's Sporting Goods has a reasonable return policy, but Zappos.com is the best of the best in my opinion because you can keep the shoes for up to 1 year and shipping both ways is free.

I love walking as well. I am finding that running shoes are far more comfy for my walks than walking shoes. My personal preference is for Brooks because, of course, they are super expensive. Isn't that always the way?

Lisa
 
Justine, I'm imagining you and your hubby having a walk into one of those gorgeous pubs I see on TV in Halifax! Pints & Butter Pudding? Yum.
My family came from the Somerset region of Britain and I'd love to do a south to north trip up around to your neck of it sometime. So many gorgeous walks and hikes, spas and pubs. :)
 
lisa_la_machina said:
So true! Just a friendly suggestion to keep all of your receipts as you experiment with different shoes, Elsie! Also make sure to know the retailer's return policy. I had a baby 3 months ago and the pregnancy KILLED my feet. My old shoes no longer cut it for me. I have fallen arches and other issues and am now at least a half shoe size bigger, so I've been buying + trying on + experimenting with + returning shoes like crazy. If you live in the U.S., I've found that Dick's Sporting Goods has a reasonable return policy, but Zappos.com is the best of the best in my opinion because you can keep the shoes for up to 1 year and shipping both ways is free.

I love walking as well. I am finding that running shoes are far more comfy for my walks than walking shoes. My personal preference is for Brooks because, of course, they are super expensive. Isn't that always the way?

Lisa
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Lisa:

commiserations! After my first pregnancy, I had to ditch all my fabulous, Italian leather shoes because yes, my arches had dropped and my feet were spread and bigger than before. I also had a brilliant par of hiking boots, real leathers that had never given me a single blister, and I couldn't wear those either. So sad!

But also: congratulations on the birth of your new baby! Thanks for that fab pm/conversation message you sent recently. I deeply appreciated it. I was worried about the long silence after my previous message because I thought I might have offended you but I needed to remember: it's not always about you! (i.e., me!)

How's the baby doing? And you? Are getting enough rest and thinking/workout time for yourself?

Hugs,

Clare
 
maddiesmum said:
Lisa:

commiserations! After my first pregnancy, I had to ditch all my fabulous, Italian leather shoes because yes, my arches had dropped and my feet were spread and bigger than before. I also had a brilliant par of hiking boots, real leathers that had never given me a single blister, and I couldn't wear those either. So sad!

But also: congratulations on the birth of your new baby! Thanks for that fab pm/conversation message you sent recently. I deeply appreciated it. I was worried about the long silence after my previous message because I thought I might have offended you but I needed to remember: it's not always about you! (i.e., me!)

How's the baby doing? And you? Are getting enough rest and thinking/workout time for yourself?

Hugs,

Clare
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Clare, most of my typing is done 1-handed these days, but I will send you a PM with the latest on my life as a mom of 2 as soon as I find a moment where I have all 10 digits available for typing. :)

Oh boy, I wept tears of sorrow when I read about your dearly departed Italian leather shoes and hiking boots. My current thinking is that I'm going to start a tally of expenses incurred due to motherhood and begin seeking collection on the debts (+ interest) as soon as my girls turn 21. I think it's only fair. It's probably too late for you to start such a list for your fabulous grown up gals, but I'm thinking the least they could do is send you and your DH on the vacation of your dreams. Hawaii? France? A spectacular cruise? Or perhaps all of the above would be most appropriate. ;)

Major hugs to you!

Lisa
 
lisa_la_machina said:
Clare, most of my typing is done 1-handed these days, but I will send you a PM with the latest on my life as a mom of 2 as soon as I find a moment where I have all 10 digits available for typing. :)

Oh boy, I wept tears of sorrow when I read about your dearly departed Italian leather shoes and hiking boots. My current thinking is that I'm going to start a tally of expenses incurred due to motherhood and begin seeking collection on the debts (+ interest) as soon as my girls turn 21. I think it's only fair. It's probably too late for you to start such a list for your fabulous grown up gals, but I'm thinking the least they could do is send you and your DH on the vacation of your dreams. Hawaii? France? A spectacular cruise? Or perhaps all of the above would be most appropriate. ;)

Major hugs to you!

Lisa
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What a great idea!! Why didn't I think of that? Too late now, bummer. My first child, totally destroyed the ribs on my left side. Always a little foot under those ribs, kicking. Sorry for going off topic.
 
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So, I am testing (Thanks Lisa!) a Mizuno (Sayonara 3) and so far, so good. They almost feel too lightweight.

I was also wondering what you have been using for inside walks, if anyone does those? I have been enjoying Jessica Smith. I have not tried Ellen Barrett or anyone else. Jessica's are much more challenging than they look. I was hoping ot hear some intermediate+ suggestions.
:) You have all been so helpful with my walking shoe purchase!!
 
Sorry, unless it's fast uphill walking on a treadmill, for which my running shoes do nicely, I don't know what indoor walking is. Sounds weird! So glad you've found your new shoe! You'll live and die in it if it's the right one. Search over!!

Clare
 
Hope you don't mind me bumpin' up this post to hear about which Walking dvds, programs etc you enjoy or have enjoyed. (nothing beats getting outside of course, especially in Sept-mid November, love it!!)
:cool:
 
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