Walking has been turned into a racing sport known as racewalking. Just like a running race, racewalking requires a specific shoe to prevent injuries and to add the most comfort to your foot. A good racewalking shoe has many qualities that can be provided from a running shoe, but it is important to note that not all running shoes are appropriate for racewalking. On the other hand, some running shoes make the perfect racewalking shoes.
Requirements
The best walking shoes for racing are lightweight and flexible like running shoes. AceWalker.com says that they should also be roomy in the toe area and bend with your foot around the front part of the foot rather than the middle. That's because your feet tend to swell when walking and you use your toes to push off the ground in racewalking. When you buy walking shoes for racing, they should be a full size bigger than your regular shoe size. Otherwise, make sure that you have a thumbs width of space from the front of your shoe to the end of your longest toes.
Your walking shoes for racing should also provide allover cushioning and stability. The cushioning adds comfort and helps stabilize the foot; the added stability makes it less likely that you will roll your foot while racewalking. While some running shoes meet these requirements, some do not because they provide too much cushioning in the heel area and not enough side stability.
Walking Shoes
There are several walking shoes that are perfect for racewalking. Prevention.com recommends the Asics Gel -- Kayano Walker 7 because they provide proper cushioning and stability for walkers. New Balance also has a large selection of walking shoes. The New Balance MW1200WN is another good choice because of its stability and cushioning. (The links listed under Resources have more information on these shoes.)
Running Shoes
According to AceWalker.com, certain running shoes make great racewalking shoes, too. One is the Asics Gel Lyte Verdict because they are lightweight and flexible, which are requirements for good walking shoes. You can find reviews of other good running shoes for racewalking at RunnersWorld.com.
Replacing Shoes
Prevention.com recommends that you replace your walking shoes every 300 to 500 miles to prevent injury. In addition, Racewalk.com recommends training with two pairs of shoes to prevent your shoes from wearing out too fast and to better protect your feet from blisters and bunions. Two pairs of shoes will also keep you from having to train in wet shoes from the day before.
Additional Tip
Racewalk.com recommends that you should only wear your shoes when you are working out. Additional wearing can cause the shoes to wear out faster and leave you searching for the perfect pair of racewalking shoes more often.
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