"If you can run in them, you can walk in them" (shoes)

Phrick · January 2014

Is that a more or less true statement? I have heard it more than once in real life but I don't know if it's accurate. I have been told repeatedly by my physical therapist and chiropractor that I should unequivocally NOT jog/run at this point due to back, knee and ankle troubles, but that walking, even "power walking," is perfectly fine. As always they advised getting "good shoes" but nobody seems to be able to tell me what "good shoes" are. I went to the Running Center store in the next town to see if they could help me; unfortunately when I asked for gait analysis for my walking stride they didn't seem to know exactly what to do. Put me in a "neutral shoe" and recorded my walking but then when they replayed it the two employees seemed to disagree as to what would be best and I ended up leaving with a neutral Nike Pegasus shoe, but was told to continue to wear my SuperFeet Green insoles in them (as I have suffered severely with Plantar Fasciitis in the past). Seems a little odd but I'm not the "expert" so what the hell do I know? That was in mid-June of last year, and these were to be my Every Day shoes so I have worn them pretty much daily since then.

After ramping up my walking speed and distance over the last week or so, I have come to the conclusion that it's time for new shoes. The outer aspect of my shins in particular hurt so bad, and the fastest speed I've achieved is 3.6mph and the longest distance just 2 miles, and those stats just one of the past four days! (other days averaged 2.9mph x 2 miles on days 1 and 3 and 3.2mph x 1.5 miles on day 2).

Stores I have around me (within 30-50 miles) include general sporting goods stores like d-i-c-k-s, Sports Chalet, Sports Authority; as far as more targeted stores for running all I have is the one Running Center I already visited. If I MUST go further, I will, but arranging a time and finding the money will be the biggest hurdles.

IDK, this seems kind of rambly, but can anyone offer advice?

Stats:

Age: 35
Height 5'8"
Weight 200lb
Limitations: arthritis and bulging disc at L5, weak knees and ankles (per physical therapist's assessment)

edit: hahahaha, they bleeped out D-i-c-k-s sporting goods!

LeanButNotMean44 · January 2014

I don't agree with that statement. I think that shoes made specifically for running and those made specifically for walking differ in terms of support, materials, and probably a host of other things.

There are several shoes made just for walking; you might check out the New Balance website (they make shoes for almost anything).

athensguy · January 2014

I like hiking shoes for walking outdoors. Since walking is a fairly low impact activity, you should be fine if the shoes are comfortable when you walk in them.

WalkingAlong · January 2014

I agree that they're not the same as running shoes. I guess there no 'walking shoes' stores around you? If not, maybe do some googling on 'good walking shoes' and/or spend a few hours reading Zappos reviews and then pick some shoes. They're not cheap there but the returns are free shipping. Some brands I've had good luck with are Merrell, Keen, SAS, Reebok, Dansko, New Balance, Asics, Clarks.

Here's an Amazon link.

http://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Shoes-Womens-Walking/zgbs/shoes/679377011

I might try those Skechers GoWalks next, though I don't like Skechers due to their silly false advertising and how they seem to steal most of the trendy shoe styles, like Crocs and then Toms.

Phrick · January 2014

I agree that they're not the same as running shoes. I guess there no 'walking shoes' stores around you? If not, maybe do some googling on 'good walking shoes' and/or spend a few hours reading Zappos reviews and then pick some shoes. They're not cheap there but the returns are free shipping. Some brands I've had good luck with are Merrell, Keen, SAS, Reebok, Dansko, New Balance, Asics, Clarks.

Here's an Amazon link.

http://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Shoes-Womens-Walking/zgbs/shoes/679377011

I might try those Skechers GoWalks next, though I don't like Skechers due to their silly false advertising and how they seem to steal most of the trendy shoe styles, like Crocs and then Toms.

The closest walking-shoes-specific store would be about 45 minutes away, which is doable just inconvenient lol. But then again, sore feet & legs are even more inconvenient, so I guess it's a matter of priorities. Thanks for the link and ideas, I'll be spending my "rest day" researching it looks like.

KeithAngilly · January 2014

*post removed

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WalkingAlong · January 2014

I'm surprised with all your physical issues, none of your doctors have recommended anything specific in shoes. I wonder if your doctor prescribed them you could get some decent walking shoes covered by your health insurance?

Phrick · January 2014

I'm surprised with all your physical issues, none of your doctors have recommended anything specific in shoes. I wonder if your doctor prescribed them you could get some decent walking shoes covered by your health insurance?

as of yet I don't have health insurance, even though I sent in my payment back in December - it will supposedly be retroactive to the first but that doesn't do me a ****load of good... but that's a whole other sore spot. I haven't had health insurance in a while now, just paid for things out of pocket as needed (fortunately it has not been frequently needed). Maybe if Anthem ever gets their act together I can look into that avenue.

scorpio516 · January 2014

Well, if you liked the Pegasus, by all means buy another pair. You've put a lot of time and miles on them, they are going to break down! It's not like they hurt from the start right?

As you've got a Sports Chalet nearby, I'm assuming you are on the west coast. Running Warehouse (http://www.runningwarehouse.com/) is in SLO, and if you are in CA, they'll ship GSO for next to nothing. When I used to live outside Sacramento, I'd get shoes within 20 hours of ordering them! Now that I live on a different ocean, it takes a little longer

Re: using hiking shoes.
I find this funny - I hike in running shoes, usually trail runners. 15-30 miles per day, less than 10kg carried.

bokchoybaby · January 2014

I'm sorry that I can't recommend any brands at this point since it has been a little while since I have bought shoes exclusively for walking. I found that when walking was my primary activity and I used to walk 4-8 miles at a pop that shoes made specifically for walking were fairly comfortable. I've even done OK in my cross training shoes. I mostly run now but sometimes I feel like walking for a mile or two post-run (approximately 4 mph) and I've found that my running shoes aren't good for this. Granted, the sidewalks in my neighborhood are horrible but I feel like my running shoes don't have quite the right ankle support or something.

omma_to_3 · January 2014

I used to wear New Balance for walking.

I will agree though, that if you can run in shoes - without any pain or rubbing, you CAN walk in them. Even though the gait is different. Of course, I only have my experience to go by, but, when I participated in the 3Day, 60 mile breast cancer walk I wore my "retired" running shoes and had zero issues. No blisters, no rubbing, nothing. Of our team of 7 people, only two of us didn't have issues with blisters. And those two, were the two runners in the group who were wearing their running shoes. Of course, our feet are probably tougher too, due to the running, but we didn't have any issues walking 20+ miles a day for 3 days in a row in our running shoes.

WalkingAlong · January 2014

I think that you CAN walk in any shoes but not all are optimal for fitness walking. Usually the arguments for walking shoes are something like this-

http://www.newbalance.com/Walking-shoes-vs-running-shoes/article_walking_vs_running_shoes,default,pg.html

Tomahawk3Niner · January 2014

There are certainly shoes made specifically FOR walking, but IMO running shoes do great. I've always bought running shoes or hikers for walking and if they fit correctly I have no issues at all.

As for a brand recommendation I love New Balance. I've got weak ankles that like to roll and the NB shoes seem to be a little wider with less lateral movement that helps me stay upright with out sprained ankles.

Right now I am walking/jogging in a pair of Saucony shoes. To be honest I am not sure if they are crosstrainers or trail runners but they are pretty awesome, good support and comfortable for both miles of walking and some jogging.

ElliottTN · January 2014

Walking around in my neutral running shoes isn't really an option. They are racing flats with basically no padding on the heel but padding up front. The difference would kill my ankles in knees after a good deal of time. When I walk I distribute my weight far far different from when I am running.

So yeah, disagree.

meritage4 · January 2014

Just another thought-if you can't run due to knee and ankle problem can you deep water jog?

You wear a special waist belt and "jog" in place in a pool in water over your head. Some pools offer classes. Most pools (at least here) let you borrow the belt. My competive running friends would do this when injured.

Cherimoose · January 2014

As always they advised getting "good shoes" but nobody seems to be able to tell me what "good shoes" are.

Since it hasn't been said yet...

Good walking shoes generally have a low heel (zero heel-to-to drop), so that your foot has a natural rolling motion when you walk. Nearly all "walking shoes" (and most running shoes) have a raised heel, which is ergonomically incorrect and can cause orthopedic problems (similar to wearing high heel shoes). An example of a zero-heel shoe would be Keds, New Balance Minimus Zero, and some skateboard shoes. If they feel too firm, you can slip in a foam or gel insole, like Spenco Comfort insoles. You can also remove the stock insole and add supportive insoles like Superfeet for activities that cause arch pain.

SteveJWatson · January 2014

If you have ankle problems had you not considered hiking boots?

nmncare · January 2014

This is totally my personal experience. Don't take it as gospel.

I'm 23
I'm 5'8"
Starting weight was around yours.

I have a torn ACL and surgery wouldn't guarantee a fix for me. So I decided to just deal. I also have one leg that is a big shorter than the other (don't worry.. I'm not a circus freak. no one can tell.. even me) that throws my hip out of whack sometimes. It kills like a mother. When I started my journey a year ago, I couldn't run. I was using Reebok easy tones. BIG MISTAKE. I thought it would help me tone up. Instead.. it made all my little quirks worse. I went to my doctor and had a chat and ended up getting Nike Free Runs.

I started walking uphill, and now run without any problems at all. Sometimes I hurt my knee, strictly because of impact, but these shoes have been amazing. I'll never wear anything else while I run.

I don't have ankle problems however, so I'm not sure how they would handle. But I just thought I would pass my little story along. Hope it helps in some small way

Best of luck!!

rondaj05 · January 2014

I really like New Balance, they have a pretty wide range of sports specific shoes. Someone else said it, but check Amazon also. I recently bought a pair of Ryka walking shoes after reading a gazillion reviews, happy with them so far.

SueInAz · January 2014

I think it depends on the running shoe. The minimalist shoes would not be a good choice but I think most "normal" running shoes would work.

I just spent a week at Walt Disney World walking a total of nearly 170,000 steps in a pair of Mizuno running shoes (I bought this pair for general use, not running, but I do also run in Mizunos) with no problems at all.

Phrick · January 2014

Alright. So someone from my area tipped me off that we do have a walking store in town finally, it's called The Walking Company. He also gave me some pointers on how to search Google for information so I can go in with some knowledge. Turns out the running center store I went to was right, I have a normal arch (per the "wet foot test" performed in my garage :laugh:) and don't excessively pronate at all. I haven't found much information -yet- on the type of shoe needed when you have a normal arch but are significantly overweight (still 60lb to go, roughly), but I admittedly have only spent a couple hours on it so far. I hope to get in to The Walking Company sometime next week. I also talked to my chiropractor again and she reaffirmed that I should still avoid running, at least until we can get some new x-rays and such, and we talked about working with my PCP once the insurance comes through to order the appropriate tests. I thank you all for your assistance, it is much appreciated!

omma_to_3 · January 2014

Try Shoe Dog and see what it says: https://www.roadrunnersports.com/rrs/product/shoe-dog.jsp?cm_sp=shoe_dog-_-search_pages-_-top_left_banner

"If you can run in them, you can walk in them" (shoes)

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