Walking kits
The short list for what you are starting.
Walking shoes
On the wall today, in store.
Which shoe do I need?
The evening walk, the step goal, the long day on your feet. Three different shoes, and why a running shoe is not one of them.
A proper walking shoe: rocker sole, light, cushioned for an hour, easy to put on so the walk happens.
Look for
- Rocker sole
- Light weight
- Slip-in or easy entry
- Width options
Not this
- Old running shoes (they flex in the wrong place)
- Heavy, stiff soles
On our wall
Comfort over eight hours, not one. Cushioning that does not pack down by the afternoon, and room for feet that swell.
Look for
- High cushioning that stays soft all day
- Roomy toe box, width options
- Easy on and off
Not this
- Narrow lifestyle shoes for long days
- Flat, thin soles
- Running shoes (built to flex in the wrong place for standing)
On our wall
Something light you can slip on. A clog or sandal is honest here; a running shoe is overkill.
Look for
- Light
- Slip-on
- Washable in the monsoon
Not this
- Calling it your walking shoe if you also do the daily walk
On our wall
A light walking shoe with a firm roll-through. If you walk fast enough to break into a jog, ask to try a light running trainer alongside it in store.
Look for
- Light
- Flexible forefoot
- Good roll-through
- Grip for wet pavement
Not this
- Max-cushion running shoes (too tall and soft for walking)
- Clogs and sandals for timed walks
On our wall
What matters
Walking is the category most people actually keep — the morning round of the park, the evening after dinner, the ten thousand steps on a phone. It deserves proper shoes, not leftover running shoes. Walking shoes roll differently, flex at a different point and need to be comfortable for an hour, every day, for years.
In store
Digital foot measurement
The walking wall: ASICS, Skechers, Crocs.
Cushioning, explained in one wall
Firm to soft, low to tall. Every running shoe sits somewhere on this scale, and the right place depends on the run, not on the price.
Size check: measure at home, fit in store
Most people wear the wrong size in at least one brand. Here is how to get close at home, and why the final answer is a fitting.
Compare: how Marathon puts two shoes side by side
Only a multi-brand store can compare across brands. Twice a month we do, on the same facts, and we never name a winner.