What To Look For
How do you describe the feeling of having found the perfect walking shoe? Partly a blend of comfortable padding, savvy structural design, firm arch support and a feeling of flexibility, the ideal women's walking shoe supports your foot without imprisoning it. Keds, Sketchers, Easy Spirit and New Balance consistently produce excellent walking shoes that will keep you going for miles.
Common Pitfalls
Buying walking shoes without trying them on first in person will nearly always result in disappointment. Even if you've bought dozens of pairs of Keds before, sizes can shift from season to season. Unlike other types of shoes, walking shoes are meant to be worn for extended periods of time. You need to make sure they fit the specific contours of your feet before purchasing.
Where To Buy
Keds and Sketchers both have retail outlets in major metropolitan areas which are staffed with knowledgeable sales teams. For those who live in rural areas, malls often have a display case of Easy Spirit and New Balance. The retail outlets will likely have slightly more expensive prices than the mall, but the retail sales staff will have access to a greater selection of items in that particular brand.
Cost
An excellent pair of women's walking shoes costs between $40 and $100. Because they are built to be worn frequently, walking shoes are some of the most economical shoes on the market. When you find a pair that fits you, buying a second pair exactly like it is a worthwhile investment which will save you time and money in the future once the initial pair has worn out.
References
- "Women's Complete Guide to Walking"; Jeff Galloway, Barbara Galloway; 2007
- Keds Shoes Official Site - Women
- Sketcher's Official Site
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