MD Podiatrist Provides Tips on Selecting Walking Shoes

To find reliable shoes that can bring fun and comfort back to your adventures, Dan Michaels, recommends you choose a shoe with a rubber outsole and make sure that it has “adequate traction for proper gripping of the walking surface. “Choose a midsole made from ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA),” suggests Dr. Michaels. This material “provides shock absorption and cushioning, which helps to make for enjoyable walking and … to prevent injury. [It is] highly recommended for the midsole.”
 
Giving plenty of thought to the insole is important, especially if you have custom or favorite inserts you like. “Some insoles are removable,” says Michaels. “[This] is preferred, as it allows for the placement of a custom-made orthotic (if necessary).” When it comes to the toe box, “mesh material is preferred to allow for the exchange of air to prevent increased temperatures.” Not only does that air exchange make for happier and more comfortable feet but “if the foot becomes very warm and sweaty,” he says, “tinea pedis, onychomycosis, and verrucae may develop.”