Each year ‘fitness walking’ grows and is currently the number one exercise for people trying to get fit and keep away from the health dangers of the 21st century. The long list of health benefits from walking cannot be overstated. It is a low impact activity suited to all age and fitness levels, with as little as 30 minutes a day delivering major pluses to health and well being. It’s also a great way to socialise, while being outdoors and getting your heart rate going. From a technical and product perspective, walking shoes are significantly different from running shoes. Forefoot flexibility is paramount to allow you to progress to the next step with less effort, while the central beveled heel delivers appropriate cushioning for the first point of ground contact when walking. These shoes also need to be very light, meaning little energy is used for each stride. If you walk regularly for exercise, it’s critical you use footwear developed specifically for walking - as opposed to running shoes or cross trainers.