Footwear Recommendations

[Arkane78]

I realise that asking for footwear recommendations may not strictly be related to Fitbit, so if this post isn't appropriate, please remove it or move it somewhere appropriate 🙂

I've been using my fitbit flex since January, I didn't realise just how - addictive, getting that little 'buzz' to say you've hit your daily goal can be.

Because of my fitbit, I've taken to walking like a duck takes to water - more or less.

I walk quite quickly anyway (I can do 5.7 miles in around 70-80 minutes and that's at a comfortable speed, where I want to get from A to B reasonably quickly to have to work for it - but not so much that I can barely move afterward) - but I'm finding that my footwear just can't keep up with what I'm doing.

In the nature of full disclosure, I'm current using 3 pairs of Asics running shoes - particularly because they're comfortable, more so than my very old trainers (sneakers) - but 1 pair barely lasts 2-3 months before the heel starts to wear through. Now that's fine, I can cope with the fact that perhaps I'm not using the right shoe for the right purpose, but - it was summer, I needed something comfortable. (I switch 2 pairs over when it's dry, so I alternate - 3rd pair is goretex waterproof for wet days)

Anyway - my average walking distance is around 10 miles per day, give or take a mile (this works out to be 18-22K steps). All of this is on the street, meaning unforgiving concrete. (I'd like to point out I walk on the pavements, not in the road itself unless I have to cross it :))

I'm looking for recommendations of walking shoes or boots which could certainly cope with the mileage I'm doing each day. Perhaps there aren't any or perhaps I should get used to replacing them every 3-4 months? But I thought it best to ask other fitbit users who might have the answer 🙂

[SteveH]

This seems a good place for your post!

I'm also a keen walker although I tend to do a couple of long walks each week (10 - 20 miles) rather than each day.

Over the years I have tried two approaches to walking footwear. Firstly, buy cheap and often - I tried getting budget walking shoes that I knew wouldn't last but the replacement cost was not high. Secondly - buy a good pair of walking shoes / boots that cost more but last longer.

I actually found that buying good gear saved me money in the long run and was much more comfortable. Those budget shoes were costing me a fortune!

However (and getting back to your question) even good footwear has a limited life. I'm not very good at maintaining by boots and it's normally 50/50 whether the sole wears out first or the upper cracks or loses its waterproof seal. But I wear out a sole in around 1500 to 2000 miles with my walking partly road surfaces and partly farmland / woodland.

It doesn't sound like you are far off those sorts of figures and, as you say, concrete is unforgiving.

So, my recommendation is to buy quality footwear (and preferably from a specialist retailer so they can advise on fitting and care) and accept that with your high mileage they will need regular replacement.

[emili]

yep- exactly what Steve said. I too wear out shoes like crazy. I found a style that works for me and I end up buying them about every 5 months. I walk outside and I run on the treadmill so in a few months time its like the tires are flat (no cushion left). I have come to find out that my shoe is now discontinued which makes me very very sad. I tried a different version and ended up hurting my heal. I will be on the next episode of Hoarders- but just in shoes..

[Arkane78]

That's partly why I'm asking for recommendations, Asics no longer make the shoes I have and the newer ones seem to be much the same (meaning they'd last a few months) but have a 10-30% price increase, making my question whether they're economical for what I'm doing with them.

I think it's more that I walk heavily on the heel, if there were boots or shoes with a serious amount of tread or a more resistant material - they might last longer?

[SteveH]

I've always found Vibram soles to be the most durable.

[Arkane78]

Any examples of something you'd wear? Just so I have something to look at and work from?

[SteveH]

I've always got on well with Scarpa boots. Currently using their Terra GTX. Strangly I get a better fit with women's boots (although I draw the line at anything pink!)

Also currently have Berghaus Expeditor AQ Ridge.

[Arkane78]

I've given everything some thought and I think as a whole I'd prefer (and get on better with) shoes vs boots. But that's ultimately not the core issue, the core issue is the debate over whether I buy cheaper shoes and have to replace them or buy something more expensive and hope it lasts longer.

For me, the fact I don't know that buying something more expensive and hoping it lasts longer is what's bothering me. If I buy something more expensive and it lasts 3 months (that's 3 months in rotation with other shoes) then that's no better than the running shoes I've been using for nearly 3-4 times the price (in theory).

The only other thing I could do is keep buying the running shoes or similar and reduce my mileage by about 1/3. (~6 miles vs ~10miles) I guess I could try that but need to wait until I hit a checkpoint (a point at which I weigh and measure myself) so that any changes to exercise or diet can be monitored.

As a last thought - would the Merrell MOAB 2 (Gore-Tex) be any good? These seem to have Vibram soles and are waterproof, but are on the expensive side of things.

[SteveH]

I think shoes rather than boots makes sense. I prefer boots because much of my walking is either in deep mud or on rough fells (where the ankle support is welcome) but on good surfaces shoes are fine.

Budget vs premium is a harder call but it would be a shame if you had to reduce your mileage due to footwear costs. Don't forget that if you go for premium then as well as longevity you should also hope to see improvements in performance and comfort (which are hard to factor into your decision).

Perhaps try a higher priced pair of shoes and review your choices in a few months. I've had Merrell walking shoes in the past. They are a well known brand, certainly good quality, and would be a good choice.

[redonright]

I have sensitive soles and questionable knees, so good shoes are the one thing I do not skimp on. If the shoe is worn or not right for my foot, my knees and feet start to hurt. If I ignore that, they can hurt for weeks or months.

The brand I use at the moment are Hoka, designed by ultramarathoners, according to the person who sold them to me. Not for everybody. Some people like minimal padding. But I really like these. Mine have about 500 miles on them. If you run or walk a lot, you're going to go through shoes.

Here's a link:

http://www.hokaoneone.com/technology.html

Also, here's a link to a discussion about life expectancy of shoes:

http://www.runnersforum.com/special/life-of-shoe.php

You can get your gait analyzed at a dedicated running store. They may put you on a treadmill and ask you to walk and run. Then they can recommend a shoe designed for your particular stride.