What To Look For
Summer is a great time to get outside and go for a walk, whether it's on the beach, a nature trail or just around the block. While warm weather and pleasant scenery are good, proper footwear is perhaps the most important part of a summer walking experience. There are features you want in a walking shoe. Pay attention to the quality of material; leather and nylon are less likely to cause blisters than rubber. Look for a shoe that offers good arch support. And a good summer walking shoe should offer at least some kind of mesh over the toe area, if it's not entirely open, to promote ventilation.
Common Pitfalls
A high-quality sandal or sneaker should bend with the ball of your foot, but no safe or supportive shoe should ever bend completely in half like a playing card. Avoid any shoe with a completely flat sole. They may be trendy, but flat-soled sneakers and sandals won't provide the proper support needed for your arch and can eventually cause pain in your legs and back.
Where To Buy
Chaco and FitFlop both have large numbers of summer walking shoes approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association and can be purchased on the company websites. If you are looking for a more athletic summer walking shoe, the Asics Gel-Tech Walker Neo or Avia 330 walking shoe are excellent, APMA-approved options with five-star customer review ratings.
Cost
A high-quality pair of summer walking shoes will typically cost anywhere from $50 to $125 depending on the level of durability and popularity. A sneaker-style shoe such as Reebok Easytone Go Outside II or Asics Gel-Tech are listed at $109 and $100 on the Reebok and Asics websites (August 2010). If you're looking for an open-toe walking shoe, Chaco and FitFlop sandals cost anywhere from $60 to $90. Typically, the more rugged, athletic styles of summer walking shoes are more expensive than those intended for casual use.
Comparison Shopping
Different pricing of high quality summer walking shoes depends on two factors: style and purchase location. Typically, the more rugged and athletic walking shoes will cost anywhere from $20 to $45 more regardless.
Accessories
Spenco Insoles make a good addition for those with particular knee or foot issues and are sold for approximately $25. For deodorizing purposes, there are Foot Petals Sporty Sole and Sweaty Pedi, available for $44.
Insider Tips
If you're looking for the price and convenience of an online shopping experience but want to be able to try the shoe on first, try going to a large shoe store like DSW or Famous Footwear for a fitting. Write down the names of the shoes you like and order them online. Also, many summer walking shoes such as Keen and Chaco are washable, so don't relegate yourself to navy or black to avoid dirty-looking shoes if what you really want is lavender.
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