Shoes for walking on city streets
September 24, 2013 8:22 AM Subscribe
What shoes or insoles can I wear to help my feet when I do a lot of walking on city sidewalks?
I’ve started walking to and from work, about seven miles altogether, each day. This is on hard city streets and my feet really feel it. I’ve got some gel insoles in my regular sneakers but it’s not doing enough (most especially, my heels really hurt).
Very specifically (with links if possible!) what shoes or insoles should I be wearing for these walks? I’d rather not pay more than I have to but the health of my feet (and knees and back) is very important to me. Please please be as specific as possible – “walking shoes” or “hiking boots” does not help me but “L.L. Bean hiking boots in this style” really does. I’m a woman who wears shoes around 8.5 or 9 depending on the brand. Cuter shoes would be great but that is really not my priority here; I change as soon as I get to work. Thank you!
I’ve started walking to and from work, about seven miles altogether, each day. This is on hard city streets and my feet really feel it. I’ve got some gel insoles in my regular sneakers but it’s not doing enough (most especially, my heels really hurt).
Very specifically (with links if possible!) what shoes or insoles should I be wearing for these walks? I’d rather not pay more than I have to but the health of my feet (and knees and back) is very important to me. Please please be as specific as possible – “walking shoes” or “hiking boots” does not help me but “L.L. Bean hiking boots in this style” really does. I’m a woman who wears shoes around 8.5 or 9 depending on the brand. Cuter shoes would be great but that is really not my priority here; I change as soon as I get to work. Thank you!
Best answer: After many years of city walking, I think a lot of this is highly to-the-foot subjective. My favorite favorite sneakers for city walking are Saucony Bullets, because they're lightweight and comfortable and have been built exactly the same for the last 7 or so years that I've been wearing them so I know what to expect. Also they come in like a zillion colors and are cute. But I know that some people HATE them and could never be happy walking long distances in them because of the relatively simple construction.
If you live near a brick and mortar store like Fleet Feet that has a treadmill in it, that's probably going to be your best bet for finding something that works for you. Actually get in the shoes and try walking in them over a distance.
posted by phunniemee at 8:44 AM on September 24, 2013
If you live near a brick and mortar store like Fleet Feet that has a treadmill in it, that's probably going to be your best bet for finding something that works for you. Actually get in the shoes and try walking in them over a distance.
posted by phunniemee at 8:44 AM on September 24, 2013
Best answer: If your heels are hurting, it may be the beginnings of plantar fasciitis, which requires arch support rather than tons of cushioning (indeed, support and cushioning are somewhat antithetical). The classic symptom of plantar fasciitis is that, in addition to feeling a very focused soreness in the middle of the heel after overuse, you also experience heel pain when you first get out of bed in the morning.
If that sounds familiar, I'd recommend an insole that offers substantial arch support. There are a lot of OTC options but in your case I'd recommend you give the Spenco Total Support insert a try.
posted by drlith at 8:50 AM on September 24, 2013
If that sounds familiar, I'd recommend an insole that offers substantial arch support. There are a lot of OTC options but in your case I'd recommend you give the Spenco Total Support insert a try.
posted by drlith at 8:50 AM on September 24, 2013
Response by poster: Thanks for the responses so far -- based on them I am providing a little more information about my feet in case it's helpful in giving me advice.
in addition to feeling a very focused soreness in the middle of the heel after overuse, you also experience heel pain when you first get out of bed in the morning.
Yes this is exactly true! When I've been sitting at work for a bit or first get up it can be painful to walk (I've threatened to crawl to the bathroom).
In case it's relevant, I also find it feels nice to step exactly with the center of my foot on raised bits of the sidewalk and stuff which also might indicate arch support. Thanks for this -- I will keep it in mind!
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 8:55 AM on September 24, 2013
in addition to feeling a very focused soreness in the middle of the heel after overuse, you also experience heel pain when you first get out of bed in the morning.
Yes this is exactly true! When I've been sitting at work for a bit or first get up it can be painful to walk (I've threatened to crawl to the bathroom).
In case it's relevant, I also find it feels nice to step exactly with the center of my foot on raised bits of the sidewalk and stuff which also might indicate arch support. Thanks for this -- I will keep it in mind!
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 8:55 AM on September 24, 2013
If you think you might be getting plantar fasciitis, I highly recommend ProFoot's plantar fasciitis insoles. I limped around every morning for almost a year. I got the insoles and I don't have that morning pain anymore. I do not think they cured me, because it can come back if I go too long without shoes, but they certainly helped. My husband has had some relief from his as well, but no cure. His doctor did recommend the insoles and he wears them often, but he still gets limpy now and then.
posted by soelo at 9:01 AM on September 24, 2013
posted by soelo at 9:01 AM on September 24, 2013
Best answer: The folks at Fleet Feet spent an hour with me finding just the right shoes, black tennis shoes that look good enough for my IT job but that are amazingly comfortable for my daily walk to and from work. I'm guessing that if they could help me (men's 14 narrow), they can help you.
Note that the cushioning and arch support tend to wear out before the sole. After a few months, I notice my feet feeling tired after a walk, even when there's plenty of tread left and the shoes still look OK. Time for a new pair!
posted by MrMoonPie at 9:10 AM on September 24, 2013
Note that the cushioning and arch support tend to wear out before the sole. After a few months, I notice my feet feeling tired after a walk, even when there's plenty of tread left and the shoes still look OK. Time for a new pair!
posted by MrMoonPie at 9:10 AM on September 24, 2013
Best answer: Superfeet insoles. Read carefully the different types they make. While they don't provide that much cushioning, they provide excellent support. The pink one worked best for me (wide feet, low arches) but YMMV. They sell them on Amazon.
Also if you are walking that much, your calves are likely extremely tight and you need to be stretching. Try a calf stretcher like this ProStretch product.
In case it's relevant, I also find it feels nice to step exactly with the center of my foot on raised bits of the sidewalk and stuff which also might indicate arch support. Thanks for this -- I will keep it in mind!
Get a "porcupine ball" and a foot roller. Maybe a set for home and another set for work.
posted by kathryn at 9:13 AM on September 24, 2013
Also if you are walking that much, your calves are likely extremely tight and you need to be stretching. Try a calf stretcher like this ProStretch product.
In case it's relevant, I also find it feels nice to step exactly with the center of my foot on raised bits of the sidewalk and stuff which also might indicate arch support. Thanks for this -- I will keep it in mind!
Get a "porcupine ball" and a foot roller. Maybe a set for home and another set for work.
posted by kathryn at 9:13 AM on September 24, 2013
Some good thoughts on shoes, as per the question, already. I do have one related point and apologize for not being quite on topic.
Walking extended distances on city sidewalks has a specific problem that one is unlikely to encounter on any other surface. In most municipalities sidewalks (unless they are separate walk with significant space between the walk and the road/curb) will be sloped towards the road for drainage. This isn't terribly noticeable most of the time unless you're walking on the same side of the road for extended periods. In this case you've essentially made one leg shorter than the other and will suffer along the entire kinetic chain.
Should this be the case in your locality I would suggest, along with acquiring appropriate well fitted footwear, trading sides of the street every several blocks.
</derail>
posted by mce at 9:33 AM on September 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
Walking extended distances on city sidewalks has a specific problem that one is unlikely to encounter on any other surface. In most municipalities sidewalks (unless they are separate walk with significant space between the walk and the road/curb) will be sloped towards the road for drainage. This isn't terribly noticeable most of the time unless you're walking on the same side of the road for extended periods. In this case you've essentially made one leg shorter than the other and will suffer along the entire kinetic chain.
Should this be the case in your locality I would suggest, along with acquiring appropriate well fitted footwear, trading sides of the street every several blocks.
</derail>
posted by mce at 9:33 AM on September 24, 2013 [1 favorite]
Danskos Danskos Danskos Danskos.
Danskos.
I had plantar fasciitis and they fixed that in a few months. They have heavy, built soles so nothing gets through from the city streets, but they have some magic happening where they don't feel crazy heavy. Per my Moves app I usually walk around 13,000 steps a day (6 miles ish?) and I have gone from never walking due to PF to walking everywhere in my Danskos. The Mary Janes I have are pretty cute, they last forever, and you won't have to change shoes when you get to work.
posted by c'mon sea legs at 11:08 AM on September 24, 2013
Danskos.
I had plantar fasciitis and they fixed that in a few months. They have heavy, built soles so nothing gets through from the city streets, but they have some magic happening where they don't feel crazy heavy. Per my Moves app I usually walk around 13,000 steps a day (6 miles ish?) and I have gone from never walking due to PF to walking everywhere in my Danskos. The Mary Janes I have are pretty cute, they last forever, and you won't have to change shoes when you get to work.
posted by c'mon sea legs at 11:08 AM on September 24, 2013
I don't know if they would make anything in the style that would work for you, but I have a pair of Redwing boots that I'm pretty sure I could walk across the planet with. They are expensive, but the pair I've got I've had for about five years and they still look and feel fantastic. Based on their wear patterns I figure I've got another five to ten decades with them still being usable.
Mine are lineman boots, which are oddly specific enough to not warrant you investigating them, but my old job got them for our field technicians, and I can say with a lot of support (heh) that they are considered by many to be the most comfortable boots they've ever worn as well.
posted by quin at 11:18 AM on September 24, 2013
Mine are lineman boots, which are oddly specific enough to not warrant you investigating them, but my old job got them for our field technicians, and I can say with a lot of support (heh) that they are considered by many to be the most comfortable boots they've ever worn as well.
posted by quin at 11:18 AM on September 24, 2013
Seconding c'mon sealegs wtih Danskos. I suffer from PF and if I wear my Danskos faithfully, I am pain-free. I am partial to these (and the Dansko outlet).
posted by sarajane at 2:49 PM on September 24, 2013
posted by sarajane at 2:49 PM on September 24, 2013
Just to provide a perspective from the opposite, freakazoid end of the spectrum — after years of dealing with foot discomfort, including various supportive shoes and expensive orthotics, followed by a bad foot injury, I now find that my feet are happiest with the most minimal shoes possible. I walk a fair bit (at a minimum, 2-1/4 miles home most weekdays, plus lots of other walking since we're carfree), almost entirely on city sidewalks and streets, and my feet are happiest with as little shoe as possible plus a small degree of continuous conscious awareness of how and where I'm placing my feet as I walk.
Note, I have zero experience with plantar fasciitis; if that's what you're dealing with, you should probably listen to people who know what they're talking about.
posted by Lexica at 7:01 PM on September 24, 2013
Note, I have zero experience with plantar fasciitis; if that's what you're dealing with, you should probably listen to people who know what they're talking about.
posted by Lexica at 7:01 PM on September 24, 2013
Response by poster: Thank you for the answers everyone! I went to Fleet Feet this afternoon and the guy was super helpful and I got some new sneakers that are definitely better for my feet (supportive rather than flexible as my old ones were).
I've also ordered the foot toys kathryn mentioned and some insoles (specifically the Spenco Polysorb Total Support and the Profoot Plantar Fasciitis Orthotics) to put in other shoes as I wear them. The guy at Fleet Feet even said it was worth getting something for slippers or whatever shoes I wear around the house; apparently being barefoot is not a great choice for me. My feet are very important to me (their names are Matilda and Arthur and we are dear friends) so I really, really appreciate all this help. Thank you again and I hope this is helpful to other people as well.
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 1:31 PM on September 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
I've also ordered the foot toys kathryn mentioned and some insoles (specifically the Spenco Polysorb Total Support and the Profoot Plantar Fasciitis Orthotics) to put in other shoes as I wear them. The guy at Fleet Feet even said it was worth getting something for slippers or whatever shoes I wear around the house; apparently being barefoot is not a great choice for me. My feet are very important to me (their names are Matilda and Arthur and we are dear friends) so I really, really appreciate all this help. Thank you again and I hope this is helpful to other people as well.
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 1:31 PM on September 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
The guy at Fleet Feet even said it was worth getting something for slippers or whatever shoes I wear around the house; apparently being barefoot is not a great choice for me.
I've found that the Orthofeet slippers work well because they have removable insoles. My custom orthotics even fit inside these. Many other types of slippers do not have space for insoles due to cushioning on the inside.
posted by kathryn at 2:08 PM on September 25, 2013
I've found that the Orthofeet slippers work well because they have removable insoles. My custom orthotics even fit inside these. Many other types of slippers do not have space for insoles due to cushioning on the inside.
posted by kathryn at 2:08 PM on September 25, 2013
Best answer: I have recurring bouts of plantar fasciitis, and the most effective shoe-related things I've bought were Orthoheel flip flops (I like the Tide style, but they have a variety) which I wear around the house, and Barefoot Science insoles, which did seem to strengthen my arches. The other thing that worked (if your shoes/inserts aren't enough of a solution) was a night splint.
posted by EvaDestruction at 4:40 AM on September 27, 2013
posted by EvaDestruction at 4:40 AM on September 27, 2013
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The problem is everyone's feet are different. I have narrow feet with high arches, my feet ache without proper arch support. Other folks HATE that bump at the bottom of their foot.
You may want to get measured for a set of orthotics. They can make a world of difference.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 8:42 AM on September 24, 2013