The Best Skechers For Walking, According To Podiatrists And Tested By Editors


The Best Skechers For Walking, According To Podiatrists And Tested By Editors

To help find the best Skechers for walking, we consulted with Lockwood, as well as Richard H. Graves, DPM, a podiatrist at Sol Foot & Ankle Centers in Longwood, California, for advice on what to look for in these shoes. We also put six pairs of Skechers to the test by wearing them during daily walks, workouts, and leisure to see how well they held up.

What To Consider

Because Skechers offers so many walking shoes, you can really find specifically what you need in a sneaker. Keep these factors in mind as you shop.

Weight

The weight of Skechers shoes ranges from six to 12 ounces, and all the sneakers on this list have a breezy, lightweight feel. That’s a helpful feature in walking shoes when you’re constantly raising and lowering your feet, says Lockwood.

Stability

Walking shoes should have a strong level of stability, and Lockwood says “the more the better” with this feature. She recommends giving sneakers the “twist test,” where you hold the ends of the front and back of the shoe and try to bend it. “The more resistance, the better,” she says. Meaning, you shouldn’t be able to fold your walking shoe like a taco.

Heel-To-Toe Drop

Heel-to-toe drop is the difference in height between the heel and forefoot. Having a drop of at least three millimeters can help accommodate tight Achilles tendons, prevent injury, and keep you comfortable as you stride, says Lockwood and Graves. “Most people function better in a shoe with a mild to moderate heel rise,” he says. “It’s what we’re used to and it’s what prevents injuries.”

Cushioning

Cushioning and stability don’t always go hand-in-hand. “More stability—a stiffer shoe with a firmer midsole—usually means less cushioning,” Graves says. “You want to have the best combination of both, but what’s ‘best’ varies from person to person.” If you have flat feet foot is flat or on the flatter side, you usually need a more stable shoe, Graves explains. But, most people enjoy at least some level of cushioning, which gives your shoe that soft, slightly springy feel. Ultimately, you want a good balance.

Arch Support

Everyone’s arches are slightly different, and some people need more arch support than others. If you have high arches, you’ll likely enjoy having more cushioning or arch support under them to lower the risk of pain and discomfort in your feet, Graves says. If your arches are lower, your arch support should also be lower.

How We Chose

The shopping team is experienced in testing sneakers for every need and purpose, so we know what to look for. For this story, we put six pairs of Skechers to the test by wearing them during daily walks, workouts, and leisure to see how they held up. We consulted two podiatrists for important features to consider, as well as potential pain points to look out for. Each shoe was evaluated based on cushioning, comfort, stability, and overall style. Let’s stroll.

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