Shoes for walking long distance on concrete

[TooNice]

I have applied (darticipants are decided by lottery so I won't know if I got in until next week) for a 120km hiking event (done over two days, so 60km per day). Though it is called a hike, this is not some kind of cross country hike through natural hiking trails. Instead, I expect most of the walk to be on concrete road. As such, I am thinking that hiking boots are unnecessary, and even undesirable due to the weight, I could probably find trainers more suited for this.

I think that I'll go with trainers rather than walking shoes because chances are, people are going to run during the final stretch (even though this is not a race). What I am not sure is what kind of trainers would work best to minimise foot fatigue. Is it more important to have something that is lightweight or well cushioned?

Also, I think that I am an overpronator. Would the usual advice applicable for running shoes also apply for a very long walk?

[kalniel]

Can only suggest going to a specialist/shop to get personalised advise. There are walking trainers for overpronators, Brooks walking trainers have been recommended in the past, but I'd get a personal recommndation and your gait actually checked or you may end up 'correcting' into a worse problem.

[g8ina]

I agree entirely. Took me several trips to several specialist footwear retailers before I found the right shoes with a high enough instep. I dont suffer with pronation issues, just a VERY high instep, and my old shoes were not supporting my arches at all. It took me another year to get rid of my Plantar Fasciitis but now it's completely gone.

[snedger]

Personally, I go for minimalist/barefoot shoes - requires an adjustment to walking technique - no heel strike - less impact
Only disadvantage is that stride is shorter, so speed is slower.
Just got some INOV8 BARE-XF 260 - barely feel that I am wearing any footwear.
60k is the longest I've walked in a day - would rather have a lie in on the next day than repeat.
Good luck if you get in!

[ik9000]

North Face Hedgehog GTX. Walked miles along the south downs way, airports, london streets etc in them. They're great. Lightweight, breathable, fine in the snow, JFDI

ps most people overpronate. Unless you do so really badly these will be fine for you. IIRC Walking does not incur the same impact induced pronation as running. check out treadmill vids of walking vs running and you'll see what I mean.

[Ttaskmaster]

I don't even know what 'overpronation' is, though it sounds like someone being too much in favour of a country... Over-Pro-Nation, geddit!

For me, lightweight combat boots from a decent Army surplus shop did me just fine for over 23 years.

A lot of CRW/FIBUA guys also favour the Hi-Tec Magnum type, as they're light and soft like trainers, but still offer the strength and support of combat boots. They also don't seem to require any breaking in from right out the box.

[Lanky123]

I've done the Nijmegen Vierdaagse a few times now (walk 50km a day for 4 days) and the most popular choice there seems to be running shoes. I've never done it in anything else so can't offer a personal comparison, but they've never given me a problem. The military groups who make their memebers do it in boots seem to end up with no end of blisters.

I would say just as important as the actual choice of footwear is to wear them in and get a lot of practice walks in with them - you may only notice a sore spot rubbing after 20km or so, or after your feet start sweating on a hot day or get wet from rain etc. From talking to others on the walks blisters seem to be a more common issue than pronation, possibly the less forceful impact compared to running sways things in that direction - but doesn't mean it shouldn't be considered of course!

[Ttaskmaster]

For blisters, or rather against them, I've always found wearing a thin pair of socks inside your normal hiking ones does the trick, along with simply making sure your boots are the correct size and not laced overly tight or loose.

[TooNice]

Thanks for the replies so far. I'd be happy to get advice, I am actually not too sure what are good stores to get my gait checked etc. in Tokyo, and while I am also not sure if I will be able to follow a conversations involving "gaits" and "pronation".. in Japanese. Well, I'll have a go.

In the past I have done about 50km in a day (125km over three days). That was a pretty desperate push and my feet was in utter agony especially at the end of the first day. The only thing that made me go forward was because I needed to find a place to lay down a sleeping bag at the end of each day. But that was carrying roughly 17kg worth of luggage and it wasn't all flat (though much of it was). At the time, I was wearing hiking boots, and while it provides lots of grip and support (needed because I wasn't always on concrete and carried a fair load), the biggest problem I had was how much it constricted my feet as the day went. My feet starts to swell/grow in size at around 20km, and by around 30km I had to completely loosen the laces.. and it still got worse. The issue with hiking boots is that they are stiff so if your feet starts to swell, you are in a world of pain. Blisters on the other hand wasn't too much of a problem. I am not completely immune, but I don't feel them too much especially if under the foot.

The biggest difference with this event with the aforementioned experience is this time I won't need to carry days be carrying a large bag packed with sleeping gear, food, camera with a bunch of lenses, and some spare clothes. It is only for two days and the organisers will make sure we have a roof at the end of the first day. I'll take my camera with a single lens, drinks to hydrate, and *maybe* my tripod. That is over 10kg less weigh to carry. So I was thinking that trainers will do, but I am still not sure if cushioning is more important than light weight..

[Splash]

I'd expect that any decent running gear shop would be able to do gait analysis for you, though they might be a little confused for walking rather than running. Maybe try one of the places listed at http://www.namban.org/index.php?/resources/gear

Asics also have a list of stores around Japan, including some Asics Walking Stores (sorry, my Japanese geography is non-existent but you might find somewhere reasonably local at http://corp.asics.com/en/about_asics...ion/own-stores )

[fuddam]

Since it's walking, I don't think gait analysis is going to be of much worth.

Just have a comfortable pair of trainers that you're used to, and wear non-cotton socks if it's going to be hot and sweaty.

Boots are highly overrated/unnecessary for anything other than alpine stuff with a heavy pack.

[shaithis]

I find scaters shoes good for relentless walking. Vans, DC, Adio. They have good side support, loads of padding and they give.

They have very little grip on wet grass/mud though.

[b0redom]

IMO go for something with plenty of cushioning. Doesn't have to be uber- expensive. I usually run in Saucony Progrid Triumphs. I'm a mild over-pronator too.

Lightweight/minimalist trainers are all well and good, but take a fair amount of getting used to, and are not for everyone.

Hiking boots are probably overkill.

[Zak33]

I find scaters shoes good for relentless walking. Vans, DC, Adio. They have good side support, loads of padding and they give.

They have very little grip on wet grass/mud though.

and to go along with this I'd say Supra Sky Boots. Invented for skateboarding but actually.. just great boots.

You don't have to lace them all the way up, they're immensley comfortable, waterproof (it rains on tarmac you know ?) and after you've done the walk.. you can still use them for hills and grass, towns etc...

I've got some.. I have the cheaper waxed canvas ones, not the all leather, and I adore them. Mine are now too scruffy and dirty to wear in town, but if cleaned them up, I'd happily wear anywhere... and they're not heavy.

I DO like trainers.. I have many pairs.. but these Supra Skyboots are quite something else. They don't feel like "hiking boots".. cos they're not. Mine are half a size too big and as with most of my shoes I put a padded insole in and change it every 6 months.

The ONLY thing I'd say is.. they need wearing in.. you have to get used to a sensation around your lower shin/top ankle area. The tongue of the boot is stitched in and you can feel it... it's odd for half a day.. then it becomes second nature.

Distance so far... probably only 8 to 10 miles in them per session.. though that's many times. I wear them shooting and (when not chainsawing,) I wear them in woodland a lot. Nothing to do with tarmac... true.. but 10 hours, or 8 to 10 miles, with no sensation or knowledge of the time and miles tells me they're fab

Geniune review that... truely from the heart/sole