These shoes are made for walking?

Getting geared up with the right footwear for your type of exercise is incredibly important—the right shoes for the job can prevent injury and maximize performance. But with such a range in sports shoes these days, how can you be sure if the shoe really fits?

Proper fit The biggest consideration is to make sure your shoes are properly fit. To do so, get measured and assessed by someone in the know. Many shoe stores now offer a fitting service, with some going so far as to include advanced technology such as computerised mats that measure how your feet deal with motion and how the pressure pads on your feet react. Don’t forget to take a pair of your favourite sports socks and orthotics, and you may even want to take your old sports shoes along (in a sealed bag!), particularly if they have tell tale signs of wear.

Range is good When you’re facing a huge range of shoes on display, things can seem a little daunting. However, the wider the range the more likely you are to get shoes that suit. It really is a process of elimination, so try and think outside the Nike swoosh, and venture into less known brands—you never know what you might find. For example, Ryka footwear are especially designed for the shape of women’s feet, and Etonic footwear (designed by podiatrists) cater to walkers with bunions and other problems.

Describe your style Be prepared to discuss your workout routines. If you’re a walker, is it indoors or out? Do you walk on smooth footpaths or grass at the local park? Do you combine walks with a cardio or spin class at the gym? Do you occasionally go bush on the weekend? What about that occasional round of indoor soccer? The more detail you provide, the more informed of a decision you will make.

Make or break Armed with all of this info, your salesperson should be able to show you a more select range of shoes. They should describe how the shoes’ internal and external support features work to your personal advantage. If it’s a hard choice between two or three pairs, consider the price, and then try to make your decision based on the fine details. How are the shoes fastened? Are you a laces or Velcro person? Make sure that your chosen pair has replaceable insoles. And of course, last but not least, the style and colour. Do they match your purple lycra bodysuit, or not?