Well it's a new year and I decided I need to get out every day and start walking again.
At one point I was walking a minimum of two miles a day around my neighborhood Tuesday thorough Friday and for some reason I stopped in the beginning of 2024.
So it's time to start walking again.

I normally wear Merrill hiking shoes, however I will wear them down so there is almost no tread left on them. I usually get about a year out of them.

I was told years ago, you are only supposed to wear shoes for about six months. The reason, the inside of the shoes break down and they can cause problems in your feet, leg's and back, not sure how true this is though.

So what does the Sig Forum recommend?
I live in central Florida so most areas I walk in are somewhat flat, however there are some areas in my development that do have some slight inclines.
All of the walking is on asphalt so no trail walking.

So what do you all recommend.

Thanks

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 71 TRUCK,

I cannot speak highly enough of Salomon shoes. I've worn a version of their Quest line for close to a decade now, spread across 3 different pairs. Hiked Germany, toured Disney, walking multiple miles per day (as many as 20) sometimes. They're light, have better waterproofing than most (if you like that), hold up well and have excellent support. For a general purpose "edc" type shoe that will do everything above average I don't think there's a better shoe. That said - they do run a bit narrow, which may or may not work for you. For me it works great right out of the box, but as with all shoes it depends on how they fit you.

I would rather use running shoes.. lighter and cooler.

If I was forced to wear so walking shoe it would be a higher end new balance or a brooks addiction walker. They quit making them for a while but brought them back. very comfortable

Sketchers brand of slip-on sneakers. Best I've ever worn, better than Italian hiking boots or Brooks long-distance running sneakers. Not for hiking or running of course, but just walking, going to work, etc. For my left hip and my ability to walk without problems it's the only thing that has worked.

I have been walking 6+ miles per day for the past few years (thanks Afib)

I wear Brooks Adrenaline as they fit me very, very well. I have worn the Adrenaline 21-24's. I will buy an older model if they are on sale, as the generation does not appear to impact me much.

At one time, I tried the Brooks Ghost platform. The Ghost apparently has a little different shaped toe box and it chewed my feet up. Brooks was extremely helpful and sent me a new pair of Adrenaline 21's in place of the the Ghost.

I would recommend going to a local shoe store and have them measure you.

The right shoe will make all the difference in the world, trust me.

I wear mine until they have holes in them. Usually 600+ miles.

My shoe size greatly limits the availability of the shoes I am able to find.

YMMV.

Shoes are a highly personal thing. What’s great for one person will be terrible for another.

I would suggest going to a store that specializes in running footwear. They have the expertise to properly fit your footwear. I can highly recommend Fleet Feet. They have locations in Florida…

https://www.fleetfeet.com/locations

I went through this process earlier this year because New Balance discontinued my favorite trail runners. I run and walk between 4 and 8 miles a day, and usually get less than a year out of a pair of shoes. I ended up finding these and have been very happy with them for the price (especially if you can find them on sale):

Kohl's

They're very lightweight and extremely breathable so your feet don't sweat and get blisters. I run daily in them and have done a couple of multi-day backpacking trips in them with no foot pain or fatigue. They do let water in if you're running in the rain or wet grass, but with good wool socks they dry fast. When these wear out I'll be buying another pair.

Hokas.

I've used New Balance, Brooks, Hoka and everything else. and I keep coming back to the Hokas.

I tend to over-pronate so I use their Gaviota 5. About $170 but for a walking and everyday shoe, it's cheap.

My last pair lasted about 1 year. You should replace any exercise shoe after a year. They'll look great on the outside but the foam will have broken down by then. I was doing boot camp for a while and replacing shoes every 6 months but for walking like what you're talking about and everyday use, a year is doable.

Brooks Beast.

Pricey, but they're the most comfortable walking/running/gym/casual shoes I've found for a overpronator with extra wide feet like me.

I have like 4 pairs in different colors.

Thank you everyone for the recommendations.

I’ve been very pleased with the American made New Balance 990v6. A little pricey but durable and well made.

quote:

Originally posted by Flashlightboy:
Hokas.

I've used New Balance, Brooks, Hoka and everything else. and I keep coming back to the Hokas.

I tend to over-pronate so I use their Gaviota 5. About $170 but for a walking and everyday shoe, it's cheap.

My last pair lasted about 1 year. You should replace any exercise shoe after a year. They'll look great on the outside but the foam will have broken down by then. I was doing boot camp for a while and replacing shoes every 6 months but for walking like what you're talking about and everyday use, a year is doable.

I will second Hoka’s I was guilty of holding on to shoes that appeared to be in “ good shape” externally for far too long, and paid the price with tired feet and aching back. I work in a medical profession up on my feet for extended periods, and my wife ( always smarter than me anyway) convinced me to try hoka. Dramatic improvement in all day comfort. I have several styles, and each fits a bit different. I went to a local independent hiking store in my town, and the people there really understood how to properly fit shoes and match them to the customers demands. Each of my Pairs is a different size based on the stores recommendations and will definitely replace my current hoka with new ones when it is time

I wear Keen hiking shoes and boots with Pinnacle Powerstep Max insoles.
I have those insoles in any of my shoes that have removable insoles. Not cheap but they make a big difference in my joints from my feet to hips.

https://goodsstores.com/produc...rOPjh7IaApsuEALw_wcB

https://www.google.com/search?...sclient=gws-wiz-serp

OnCloud

I went to Fleet Feet and tried on a bunch of different brands.
Mizuno, Hoka, Brooks, some Fleet Feet brand.

The OnClouds fit me best and felt great.

Brooks Adrenaline or if you’re okay replacing them more often, a New Balance Fresh Foam version.

I've been very happy with Merrell Moab 3

Used to wear New Balance, Keen, etc.

First summer of Covid our neighbor was walking on lunches, and I joined him and his wife. He was talking about how much better his feet felt.

I tried Feelgrounds Zero drop barefoot walking shoes. Within a couple weeks my hips and knees no longer hurt. I bought Xero Alpine boots for winter. Again, felt great and warm feet.

There are lots of options as far as zero drop (no heel higher than the forefoot), minimalist (usually meaning super thin and flexible soles), and barefoot (foot shaped toe boxes).

quote:

I was told years ago, you are only supposed to wear shoes for about six months. The reason, the inside of the shoes break down and they can cause problems in your feet, leg's and back, not sure how true this is though.

Never heard of that with a quality and appropriate shoe. To my knowledge, not even "Big Shoe" says that, and hundred-dollar-plus shoes every 6 months would certainly pad their bottom line. And my experience (on my feet in work boots on concrete floors all day) doesn't bear that out.

quote:

I was told years ago, you are only supposed to wear shoes for about six months. The reason, the inside of the shoes break down...

This depends on a lot of things: body weight, kinds of surfaces, running vs walking, foot issues such as over/under pronation.

If your insoles wear out, they're easy to replace. It's nearly impossible to wear out the outsole (i.e., bottom tread) before the midsole (i.e., primary cushioning material). Most shoes wear out because of the upper (holes, stitching breaking, or upper separating from the rest of the shoe) or the midsole becoming permanently compressed.

I have a lot shoes. When I think a pair of shoes is past its prime, I can put on a fresher pair to compare against. When I find a shoe I like a lot, I'll buy an identical pair that I will gradually rotate in. When I wear them side by side, I can get a feel as to how worn the older pair is. Older pairs will get relegated to yard work duty and very casual errand wear. The newer, fresher pairs take over for serious exercise.