Keep It Light When Choosing Shoes

Question: Could you give me more information on what shoes I should wear for walking?

--GILLIAN COHEN Jersey City, N.J.

Answer: Here are some guidelines for choosing your walking shoes:

* Choose a light shoe. You need enough cushioning to make your walking comfortable, but you don’t want extra weight on your walk.

* Look for a shoe that has a supportive heel cup so your ankle doesn’t move much from side to side. This is absolutely essential for people with ankle problems.

* The forefoot of the shoe should be flexible. You should be able to bend the toe of the shoe back toward the top of the heel. You’ll need this flexibility when you push off on your toes. If the shoe is too stiff in the forefoot the shoe won’t flex with your foot and you could develop lower-leg pain.

* Make sure the heel of your shoe is not significantly higher than the forefoot; otherwise it could affect your stride.

* The bottom of your walking shoe should have a smooth surface from the heel to the toe. When we walk, we roll our foot from heel strike to push off. (If you’re walking on a smooth surface, you’ll have less resistance.)

Of course, everyone has different feet, different body builds, different leg lengths, etc. When buying shoes, shop at a reputable store with knowledgeable sales people. Try on several pairs. You know your body better than anyone else, and you should buy a shoe that feels comfortable and works for you.

Also, realize that a “walking” shoe might not be best for your feet. Many people are more comfortable with running shoes or cross trainers to walk in.

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Stephanie Oakes is the fitness correspondent for Discovery Health Channel and a health/fitness consultant. Send questions by e-mail to: stephoakes@aol.com. She cannot respond to every query.