<p>I walk a lot, and I have some foot issues. I love my Brooks walking shoes. I also wear Asics gel running shoes, but the Brooks work much better and my feet don’t hurt with them. They are very sturdy and comfortable, shaped differently than running shoes (more flat on the bottom).</p>
<p>Re:#17
Bikes are great- for those who have balance and a place to ride, but despite being in good health and young enough to be having regular menstrual cycles- I have osteoporosis.
I want weight bearing exercise, so my bones at least stay the same for a while, not become more fragile and bike riding ain’t it.</p>
<p>The new shoes with the curved bottom - I saw a woman walking in these one day. She could hardly walk! Pretty funny.</p>
<p>I’ve been wearing MBTs for a few years now. They’ve lasted far longer than any other “walking shoe” (sneaker!) I’ve ever owned. I have them in (very, very ugly) sandals, too. </p>
<p>IDK about the “workout while you walk” claims, but they correct a number of my foot problems, and haven’t caused any new ones. </p>
<p>Yes, they’re expensive, the Masai thing is probably a sales tool, they’re very weird looking, and it takes a bit of time to get used to them. For me, they’re worth it. Get them on sale (Sierra Trading Post usually has them for about half of the retail cost). </p>
<p>[Search:</a> mbt at Sierra Trading Post](<a href=“http://www.sierratradingpost.com/search/SearchResults.aspx?allwords=mbt&searchdescriptions=True]Search:”>http://www.sierratradingpost.com/search/SearchResults.aspx?allwords=mbt&searchdescriptions=True)</p>
<p>I am in my 8th year of walking (2.5 miles per day) and for the past six I have stuck with a New Balance walking show. The model number changes slightly year to year but it is basically the same shoe. I like their wide shoes, too. I get a new pair every six months because I run down the heels. I also agree with the poster above who said to get some decent walking clothes, too. I have a complete set of raingear, jacket and pants, and a separate pair of waterproof goretex walking shoes (just replaced them, wore the same pair for about 7 years, but didn’t have near the miles on them as my regular sneakers.) Without the raingear, it is too easy to say, nah, not today.</p>
<p>OK - what do you all do to keep your face from freezing and your eyes from drying out in cold windy weather? That is what is keeping me in right now.</p>
<p>^^^ Walk fast and work up a sweat!! 
As for my eyes – they just tear up and I just keep wiping them. Doesn’t bother me too much.</p>
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<p>I keep four or five new pairs in the closet to make it easy to grab a new pair. With tennis, my knees tell me when I need to replace shoes. With running, six months or when you have unexplained lower body aches work well. The tough part is remembering on six months. I do my running indoors and use the running shoes only for running so they always look new.</p>
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<p>I’d be willing to try to them because I do lots of walking. (I usually do a local, 3-day 60-mile walk for breast cancer research and a breast cancer support center.) Because I have pins and a plate in my ankle (ski accident years ago), I seriously overpronate and some shoes just don’t work for me. I’m wondering anyone knows of a place (online or off) that will take shoes back after a week or so? I usually wear running shoes to walk and buy from RoadRunnerSports (online) where members of its VIP club can return shoes, even ones you’ve worn, within 60 days and you get your money back. Unfortunately, RRS doesn’t have the MBTs. I keep looking for the perfect shoe and switch fairly often. Right now I’ve been wearing Mizuno Wave. I’ve got high arches and these seem pretty good. I wore Asics last year, but like these better.</p>
<p>* cold windy weather?*
It’s going to be 59F degs here today, that isn’t so bad.
;)</p>
<p>Bromfield, nordstroms in my neck of the woods have athletic shoes and will take back anything in any condition even if you bought it online on their website. The only exception is prom and holiday dresses that need to be return unworn with tags - seems very fair to me.</p>
<p>If it is really windy, you can always use a Clava face mask. I have only used one a couple of times, and pretty quickly it gets too warm so I pull the part that covers my mouth down under my chin.</p>
<p>I have had dosens of athletic shoes and have to admit that they are getting less and less comfortable. The reason is that some genius out there decided that the wider is better. And even companies that used to have narrow shoes (like “New Balance”) started making them wider. Well, for those of us with narrow feet, we have to walk with feet litteraly “swimming” in uncomfortably tightly laced shoes. I do not care much for gym. but walking outside for an hour every day would be much easier in better fit shoes (have been doing it for the past 25 years).</p>
<p>There are still plenty of narrow shoes- try Nike or Puma.</p>
<p>Do not invest a lot of money until later. The idea is to get moving in comfortable everyday shoes and upgrade as you learn more from experience. You need to try on walking or cross training shoes in several affordable brands at a local store. Different brands are made with different “lasts”- you need the brand that best fits your foot shape. This is done by trial and error- ie trying on and walking around the store area in each pair you consider. </p>
<p>Around here normal foot attire is the athletic shoe for everyday use. Therefore the same shoes you go to the grocery store in can be used for an impromptu walk. You will find yourself doing more walking if it isn’t a major effort to get ready for it. Once you get past the moderate walk you may wish to upgrade your footwear. Son is a cross country runner and in HS the coach recommended the green inserts, available here at a shoe store, not places like Walmart. Son wore his daily workout shoes to school and had cleated running shoes only for races. Walking is even easier- get shoes for daily use and just walk more in them. I generally go for “cross trainers” because I like the more ribbed soles- traction. I do find the notch in the heel more comfortable than those without one. I go with leather instead of fabric because the weight isn’t a walking issue and they don’t get soaked through in winter/wet weather (nobody bothers with boots for shopping trips here and parking lots…). I also check for sales- Kohls, Sears and Penneys seem to carry some of the reasonable cost but good brands. New Balance works for me. Asics, Nike, Reebok… it is a lucrative market so many manufacturers make them. BTW- we go shoeless in the house, best for feet (slippers in winter for warmth).</p>
<p>^^ I have a real issue with a cross country runner (or any runner who trains most every day) wearing training shoes as daily shoes. The shoes need to “rest” and the midsole material will break down much faster if you wear them as daily footwear. This will lead to injuries. Cross country runners should have at least two pairs of training shoes that are ONLY used for running, besides spikes for racing.
I know the “upgrade” inserts are a big fad right now, but I don’t find them necessary. I think many of them are uncomfortable and if you have somewhat of a normal foot, the stock insoles that the major manufacturers provide are just fine. (and this is someone speaking who will try anything and everything)</p>
<p>Sorry- but that worked well for son. His HS CC team had around 120 runners split equally between both genders and the boys team went to State 3 of his 4 years. Some may have changed shoes for their 5-10 mile after school runs but it worked for my varsity runner to wear his all day (barefoot at home). The inserts had more padding than the insoles that came with the shoes but weren’t the ultra ones (haven’t had to buy any in years- son may not even use them any more). Didn’t do much on his feet except running- sitting in classes. He typically pays no more than $100 for shoes, twice what I do. Now he wears them around campus in all weather as well as for club running- no foot problems for four years. He does buy brands from running specialty stores instead of the stores I shop at- but he is a runner, not a walker- and in all weather, ice/snow/rain…(the ice was a cause for angry parents one time). Wears them for 5/10 K street races as well. The idea is that dedicated shoes are not needed for walking for many people. Just find a comfortable shoe and get moving.</p>
<p>Gosh, we can get into spirited debates over just about anything on this forum. </p>
<p>Well, I have to say I with MoWC on this one. Especially for those of us who are older. When I was in my twenties I didn’t think twice about how any shoes fit. I slapped them on and I was good to go.</p>
<p>Now I like having two different pairs of training shoes going all the time. I have two different models, as I said Asics work for me, and each has slightly different benefits
and drawbacks. I put in a lot of miles walking - in the summer I walk at least 4 miles a day and my long day is closer to 8 or 9. </p>
<p>To the OP - try some shoes on, get some clothing that is good for different kinds of weather, and get yourself out the door. You will be one step closer to fitness.</p>
<p>"There are still plenty of narrow shoes- try Nike or Puma. " - I have tried Nike’s several times. I have not had Puma, I will look for them. And I use my walking shoes only for walking, I use very old shoes that I am even too lazy to tie in gym, I can go barefeet in gym, except it is not allowed.</p>
<p>For the face, I use a half facemask. I found the full balaclavas get too hot. This works down to the low teens even with the windchills we have. The only times I don’t walk are when the temps are in single digits (the wind pushes it below zero) and thunderstorms, and also the occasional post-snow day when the roads are too icy. I haven’t yet gone to the yaktrac kind of thing.</p>