How to Choose Comfortable Walking Shoes

Jun 02, 2021

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1
Try the shoes on at the end of the day. Everyone’s ankles and feet swell at least some over the course of the day, so it’s better to try on shoes in the late afternoon or evening than in the morning. It’s better to get a shoe that feels a touch loose sometimes than one that’s too tight on your foot.^[10]

If you’re elderly, it’s especially important to get a shoe that fits a little looser to compensate for arthritis pain, bunions, and other growths and types of foot pain.

2
Bring a pair of your own socks. In order to get a true idea of how a shoe fits, you’ll need to try it on with whatever kind of sock you usually wear, whether that means high, low, thick, or thin socks.

3
Measure your feet. Each time you go shoe shopping, you should measure your feet. The size of your feet can change slightly over time. Either measure your feet yourself with the shoe sizer that’s in the store or have a friend, family member, or store employee help you. Measure both feet while standing up.

If one foot is larger than the other, look for a shoe that fits the larger foot well.^[12]

4
Do the wiggle test. When you put a pair of shoes on, wiggle your toes and see if you have enough space in them. You should have at least half an inch of room between the tip of your longest toe and the front wall of the toe box. If you don’t, try going up a size.^[13]
5
Walk around the store in the shoes. Once you’ve found shoes that are really feeling comfortable and supportive, take a walk around the store in them.^[14]Walking is primarily what you’ll be doing in the shoes, so it’s important to test out how they feel when you add in the movement factor.