Could Walking Be Doing You More Harm Than Good?

So you’re not a runner. No big deal. You walk every day so you must be doing something good for your health… right? Well, truth be told, you may be doing more harm than good. Hitting your neighborhood pavement in the wrong shoes could be causing some long-term damage to your ankles, knees and hips.  

Many of us turn to running shoes as the answer to all our sporting and active needs. Hitting the gym, playing sport, going for a light run, hike or long walk - we have learnt to adopt a 'one shoe fits all' ideology. That couldn't be further from the truth.

Walking shoes in particular have often fallen by the wayside. Partly due to a lack of education on the topic and in part due to traditional designs looking like scary orthopedic prescriptions, we have avoided them at all costs.  So why does the difference matter? 

Maggie Spliner of prevention.com explains;  

"Walking shoes are specifically designed to help propel you through the heel-toe motion of the proper walking technique. While runners land flat-footed, walkers land on their heels. So the heels of walking shoes are often beveled to increase stability. And that stability is equally important when you roll your foot forward and push off with your toe". 

When it comes to contemporary walking shoes, technology and design have come a long way with Brooks walking shoes leading in the category.

Brooks Addiction Walker and Brooks Dyad Walker models offer stylish and practical options for those who prefer a stroll over a sprint in the park. With the feel of a running shoe and the aesthetic of a trendy everyday shoe, these models are best sellers year after year.

Offering the necessary shock absorption and protection needed for extended walking or for powering through your job where you're on your feet all day, there's no compromise on your long term well-being or style. 

What's the difference between Brooks Addiction Walker and Brooks Dyad Walker? It's your feet, or more to the point, it's the pronation of your feet.

• If your feet roll inwards just below the ankle when you walk and run, that means you're an overpronator and the Brooks Addiction Walker is the shoe for you.
• If your feet don't roll in or out and are fairly straight through the ankle as you walk and run, that means you're a neutral pronator and the Brooks Dyad Walker is the shoe for you. 
  

If you're not too sure about the pronation of your feet, visit a podiatrist or specialty running store where they can perform a gait analysis. That's the best ways to learn about your feet and have confidence in buying the right shoes to look after them.