Guide for Walking Shoes

Besides a good pair of walking shoes, what else might you need to dedicate yourself to a regular walking program?

Besides a good pair of walking shoes, what else might you need to dedicate yourself to a regular walking program? Actually, not much. Of course, you can always find stuff to buy -- more gear, more gadgets -- and some of it is lots of fun. But if you're a beginning walker, most of what you need you probably already own. And what you don't own you should be able to buy relatively inexpensively.

Extra Protection for Your Soles

When I was a teenager, socks were completely uncool. My friends and I wouldn't have been caught dead in them. Now I can't fathom wearing my walking shoes without them.

Next to your shoes, your socks are your most important piece of walking gear. A lousy pair of socks can make a great pair of shoes feel absolutely awful. On the other hand, an okay pair of shoes can feel a lot more tolerable when they're worn over a fantastic pair of socks.

The sock market has exploded in the past 10 years, beginning with a brand called Thorlo. As far as I know, Thorlo was the first company to realize that since human feet lose their fatty padding as they get older, folks would appreciate a little cushioning in their socks. Thorlo walking socks are thick and luxurious, with extra padding in the ball and heel. You feel as if you're walking on a cloud, provided your walking shoes are big enough to accommodate all that fluff. Otherwise, you just feel cramped.

Like any good athletic sock, Thorlo walking socks are synthetic. They wick away sweat from your feet, dry quickly, and retain their shape, softness, and resiliency. As a rule, socks made from synthetic fabrics are best. A little cotton is okay, but all-cotton socks get soggy, lose their shape and softness, and wear through faster.

These days, Thorlo has lots of company in the walking-sock category. Many stores carry dizzying displays of socks in all brands, colors, sizes, and styles. Some are thick; some are thin. Some support your arch; others pad your bunion. Many footwear manufacturers offer socks bearing the same brand names as their shoes.

My suggestion is to try a variety of brands and styles until you find one that you really like. Then buy a whole bunch, so you always have a clean pair waiting for you. Nothing feels better than slipping on fresh, soft, padded socks first thing in the morning.

When you're going for a long walk -- say, more than 4 miles -- you may want to carry an extra pair of socks with you. Then if your feet get hot or wet, just change socks. You'll feel totally refreshed and revitalized.