SPORTS SPECIALISTS DEFINE WALKING AS "THE NEAREST THING YOU CAN GET TO THE IDEAL PHYSICAL EXERCISE". FITNESS WALKING IS AN ACCESSIBLE SPORT THAT CAN BE PRACTISED AT DIFFERENT PACES AND FOR DIFFERENT REASONS. FOLLOW OUR GUIDE TO FINDING THE RIGHT PAIR OF SHOES FOR FITNESS WALKING.
If you've just taken up the easy and efficient sport of fitness walking, we recommend that you read our article, Why do you need specific shoes for fitness walking? It explains precisely what it is your feet need when you walk, as well as how your foot moves as it unfolds on the ground, a movement specific to fitness walking that demands flexible shoes.
If you walk at a moderate pace (under 6km/h) to feel good in body and mind and/or to get back in shape, you are an active walker. When you are active walking you need a flexible shoe to accompany the heel-to-toe transition of your foot, and also a good level of cushioning!
Why does fitness walking require flexible shoes with a good level of cushioning?
When you are active walking the impact of your foot on the ground is 1.5 times the weight of your body with each step. In order to limit feeling this impact and thus gain more comfort, you should choose flexible active walking shoes that are equipped with good cushioning.
If you walk at a faster pace, (above 6km/h) to strengthen your heart and tone your body, you are a fast walker. When you go fast walking, you need flexible shoes that enable a smooth heel-to-toe transition while also giving you propulsion!
Why does fast walking require flexible shoes that also give propulsion?
The faster you walk, the more pronounced the movements of your feet (from when your heel hits the ground to when you push off forwards). In fast walking you are trying to go faster and faster so you need a pair of shoes to accompany this dynamic movement: rear grips, grip and front propulsion through the big toe. We recommend choosing fast walking shoes designed especially to bring you more propulsion: Propulse Walking Technology, present in all of Newfeel's fats walking shoes is a specific technology that meets this need!
If you walk with poles for fitness or to strengthen your heart and tone your body, you are a Nordic walker. When you go Nordic walking, you need a flexible shoe to accompany the heel-to-toe transition of your foot, that also provides you with grip !
Why does Nordic walking require flexible shoes with a good amount of grip?
Nordic walking is generally done on versatile terrains that can be quite loose and wet such as country paths, forest paths, walking across grass, etc. These types of more specific ground need a choice of footwear that is flexible and that can offer good grip on various types of terrain to avoid slipping and to maintain a dynamic pace of Nordic walking.