The Wide World of Walking Equipment

Your guide to walking equipment that will keep you on the road

Walking Styles and the Equipment and Gear Requirements.

Filed under: Walking Benefits,Walking Equipment,Walking Gear — Tags: , , , , , — walkin' man @ 1:38 pm

power walking

Walking is walking, right? Well walking is walking if it isn’t recreational walking, fitness walking, power walking, nordic walking or race walking. The goal of each is to get from A to B but their differences lie in why your doing it, how you get there and what kind of walking equipment you need. Each method has its’ own set of standards, methods and requirements. I’ve detailed the most common styles below.

Why?

But before I start, let me answer the question,”Why should this interest me, I’m not a race walker or a power walker?”. Boredom is the principal impediment to an ongoing walking program. It is the number one reason people give for abandoning their walking efforts. Changing walking styles can provide much needed variation to your routine, providing you with a whole set of new goals and objectives. Mastering a specific technique takes time and effort which can, in turn, help you stay active and engaged. In addition each style works a different set of muscles which results in a much more well rounded physical workout routine and help minimize the potential for injury. In short, varying your walking style can help keep you going.

Recreational Walking

This is by far the most common walking style. It characterized by a casual approach to the whole activity. The goals are simply to get out and about, breath some fresh air, stretch the legs or perhaps walk the dog. There are no time, distance or caloric burn goals you’re trying to achieve. There are no special techniques to master and no special equipment required. All you need are a pair of reasonably comfortable sneakers or shoes and a bit of time during your day.

Fitness walking

Done either fast or slow, fitness walking is the next step up. We add specific goals and objective to our walking routine. With that comes greater attention to walking techniques and the need to acquire some basic walking gear. Typically the overriding goal of the fitness walker is to improve or maintain their health and conditioning. Usually they walk to burn calories, lose weight, improve stamina or increase leg strength. As a consequence they have set up subsidiary goals for themselves such as walking certain a distance, so many times a week. These goals are set based on the speed/required caloric burn rate of each individual. To maximize the caloric burn rate and help prevent injury, proper posture become important at this level. Walk upright looking straight ahead with shoulders back and down. To insure that the walker remains comfortable and injury free and due to the fact that fitness walking is a more organized activity,done frequently, a bit more care and attention needs to be paid to the equipment employed. Minimum equipment needs would include a well fitting pair of sneakers specially designed for walking, A pair of form fitting wool and polypropylene socks, a water bottle, hat, pedometer and reflective arm bands round out the minimum walking gear requirements

Power Walking

The next step up the ladder is power walking. Power walking is an aerobic activity which not only burns calories, but strengthens and firms muscle as well. Power walking is done at a fast pace, a speed at which people usually start jogging.. Posture become even more important at this level. You should walk tall and keep your looking forward. Chins up and slightly in, chest raised and shoulders down and back . .Bend your elbows to 90 degrees using your arms to pump yourself forward as you walk. Also, take long, deep breaths to enhance oxygen and blood supply to your body. Often power walkers will use additional arm or leg weights to maximize the impact of their workout. With the exception of the weights the minimum equipment needs of a power walker are the sames as those of the fitness.

Nordic Walking

Next on the scale is Nordic Walking. This style evolved from a cross county skiing summer training regiment developed by the Fins. Nordic walkers apply pressure on the ground with poles as they walk. As a consequence, Nordic walkers make more use of their shoulders and upper arm muscles, while getting a back, chest and abdominal workout as well. Nordic walkers can walk faster and further, climb hills more easily. The result is a total body workout that burns up to forty percent more calories than fitness walking. Minimum equipment needs are the same as a fitness walker with the addition of a set of poles Nordic walking poles are available in solid one-piece design or in telescoping designs that allow for differences in height.

Race Walking

Race walkers use the Olympic race walk form, briefly define as having, at any time, at least one foot in contact with the ground and the supporting leg remaining straight from the moment of the first impact of the foot until the supporting leg passes below the body. The walkers swivel and tilt their hips to lengthen their strides. Race walkers must maintain their form at all times and are penalized for bending the knee or having their feet loose contact with the ground at the wrong time. Race walking’s goal is speed, covering a certain distance is the quickest time possible so walking equipment needs are different. Special shoes are used and since weight is critical, nothing much is carried during training or a race itself.

 

Each style of walking brings its’ own set of benefits and equipment needs. Walking at any level offers both a challenge and a reward. Each style demands a increasing level of discipline and commitment but in return each provides the walker with a sense of accomplishment. So add a little spice to your walking routine. As you try a new style remember to start slowly and make an effort to fully master each technique before moving on. Once your comfortable, mix your walking styles. Do a week of each one or interchange them during the week. This will help keep you engaged, interested and on the road.

 

If you’ve worked in these other styles, share your experiences. Leave your comments below.

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An Unusual Walking benefit – Higher Home Values

Filed under: Walking Benefits — Tags: , , , , , , — walkin' man @ 5:15 pm

Walkability Map Walking Equpment

Walkability Map Walking Equpment

There’s been a study making the rounds of late that has some good news for walking enthusiasts. Its’ conclusion is a bit of a surprise given the spread out/car oriented nature of the American culture. Simply stated, the study’s findings states that the higher the “walkability” of a neighborhood the higher the home values.

The Study Sponsor

The study was commissioned by CEO’s for Cities, a association of civic, educational, business and philanthropic individuals and groups dedicated to building and developing better, more sustainable cities. It examined 94,000 real estate transactions in 15 major cities across the US and compared the home value of with a “walkability score” developed by walkscore.com. It found that in 13 of the 15 markets studied, the higher the “walkability score” the higher the home values.

Wakability Score”

What is the “Waklability Score” exactly. It a process developed by walkscore.com that calculates the proximity of a specific address to nearby stores, restaurants, schools, parks, etc. using Google maps to do the plotting. It then applies its’ algorithms which assigns a value representing how many and what type of amenity destinations are located within a short distance (generally between one-quarter mile and one mile) of that location. It assigns a weight to each destination category and the result is an index ranging from 0 to 100.

90-100 – is considered a walkers paradise where everything can be done on foot and you don’t need to own a car

70–89is a bit more challenging but its still possible to get by without owning a car.

50–69 – is considered somewhat walkable with some stores and amenities within walking distance, but many everyday trips still require transportation

25–49 – car dependent – only a few amenities are within easy walking distance. For most errands, driving or public transportation is a must.

0–24 – completely car dependent : Virtually no neighborhood destinations within walking range. Think farm house

A couple of things it’s not or doesn’t do. It doesn’t measure how pleasant or unpleasant the walk may be. You could live in a crime ridden neighborhood but have all the amenities close at hand. It follows straight lines in calculating time/distance from the amenities. And it doesn’t take into account walking amenities like the availability of side walks. However despite these short comings it is a crude but telling measure of how walk enabled a neighborhood is.

Home Value

The home values were adjusted for the characteristics of individual housing units. Such things as size, number of bedrooms and bathrooms and age as well as for the neighborhoods were they were located including the neighborhood’s income level and accessibility to employment.

Results The study showed a positive correlation between ‘walkability score’ and housing prices in 13 of the 15 housing markets studied. In the typical market, an additional one point increase in “Walkability Score” was associated with between a $700 and $3,000 increase in home values. If You want to read the complete study click here. All in all good news for those of us who enjoy walking. Not only does it improve our health, fitness and well being, it may make us a bit wealthier as well. Not bad. If you wold like to check you neighborhood’s “Walkability Score” click here Interestingly, of all the cities studied Las Vegas was the only one with a negative correlation. Surely has something to do with gambling but for the life of me I can figure out what it might be. If anyone has any thoughts, put them in the comments section. I’d love to hear them.

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Walking Equipment – Socks

Filed under: Walking Clothing,Walking Equipment,Walking Gear — Tags: , , , , — walkin' man @ 1:16 pm

walking equipment socks

Why worry about something so mundane as the socks you wear when walking? Believe it or not socks are the second most critical component (behind shoes) of your walking equipment assortment. It has that honored position because the consequences of ignoring your socks can be quite difficult and painful.

The following is a list of maladies that can be directly affected by the type of socks worn.

Toenails: subungual hematoma, onychomycosis, onychogryphosis

Skin: friction blisters, hyperkeratoses, heloma dura/molle

Infections: dermatophyte, yeast, bacteria, viral  (verruca)

Mechanical or Shear Induced Injury of Subcutaneous tissue: capsulitis, bursitis, calcaneal fat pad atrophy

Mechanical or Shear Injury Against Bone Prominence: retrocalcaneal exostosis, sesamoiditis, hallux valgus, tailor’s bunion, accessory navicular, tibial crest periostitis, medial and lateral malleolar contusion

(Source: American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine)

Wow quite a list, no? While most of these pathologies typically befall amateur or professional athletes, even the those of us who fall into the category of casual walker need to insure that his/her exercise regiment is not interrupted by a painful and debilitating blister.

There are three conditions that contribute to foot problems: Pressure and shearing forces generated during a walk and the presence of moisture from sweat, all applied in combination to a specific spot on the foot. In the case of the most common foot problem, blisters, the presence of these issues, pressure, shearing and moisture, combine to generate heat which in turn causes the top layer of skin to separate from those below it and the gap to fill with lymph fluid.

A proper walking sock address these negative forces through its’ overall design and the type of materials used in its’ construction. The primary characteristic of a good walking sock is its’ ability to wick moisture away from the skin, helping keep the foot dry. The materials employed in constructing the socks will determine how effectively it performs this task. Contrary to generally accepted wisdom, cotton is the least effective wicking material. Cotton retains three times the moisture of acrylic and when exposed to air will take ten time longer to dry. Cotton fiber socks, when wet stretched and lose their shape. This lead to bunching and wrinkling, increasing the negative pressure and shearing forces. After multiple wash-wear cycles, cotton socks become abrasive leading to potential irritation to the skin. In terms of superior wicking properties, polypropylene is the best followed by acrylic and then wool. Given wools ability to maintain heat even when wet, it, in combination with polypropylene or an acrylic, make the best walking sock.

A sock’s design and fit also have an important impact on continued foot health. The most commonly employed design element is the addition of padding to further cushion areas of the foot prone to blistering, namely the toes, forefoot and heel. Also popular are double layer socks which are designed to shift shearing friction away from the skin to the area between the sock’s layers. For those individuals who frequently suffer from blisters between toes, toe socks can minimize the friction and rubbing . These may be a bit uncomfortable at first and often require some getting use to.

When purchasing a pair of walking socks they should be examined carefully. Special attention should be paid to the fit, durability, cushioning, elasticity, support and moisture control. Avoid socks with obvious pressure points. Inspect a new sock on the inside. Look for potentially injurious seams. When considering a sock select only those with flat knit toe seams and a Y-heel. Socks, like shoes, are sized to the foot. Buying them undersized will make them too tight tending to bind the toes,. Socks that are too loose can lead to bunching, capable creating blisters. Socks that are thinner over the instep and under the arch. or have ventilation panels under the arch and/or base of the toes help dissipate heat and moisture generated during walking activity.

It’s important to keep you socks clean. While most of today’s walking socks can be machine washed and dried, it’s important to check the packaging to see if there are any special care instructions you need to consider. When they begin to lose their elasticity, cushion or develop a hole it’s time to get rid of them or demote them to more mundane tasks.

As with all the walking equipment, gear and clothing you consider, you should spend a bit of time and effort in inspecting and selecting the right product for the job. With socks it’s all about fit and moisture control . Because of it critical application, a proper fitting and constructed walking sock will help keep you injury free, comfortable and most importantly of all …on the road.

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Google Maps as Walking Equipment

Filed under: Walking Benefits,Walking Equipment,Walking Gear — Tags: , , , , , — walkin' man @ 10:09 am


At home you have your walking route all planned out. You know where your going, how long it’s going to take and how far you will go. But now your on vacation or traveling away on business. Your in a new city and unfamiliar with your surroundings. You don’t want to hang up your walking gear for the duration of your stay. What do you do? You could just head out and “play it ear” without any idea of where or how far you’re going but that’s difficult at best. But hold on there is a better way….Google Maps.

Google Maps enables you to plot out a walking route around your current location and calculate its’ millage. It gives you a street level view of route enabling you to avoid potentially troublesome areas and provide you with landmarks along the way. You can email or print it, even create a hyperlink.
 

How do you take advantage of this great walking aid? Lets take it step by step. First get a Google account if you don’t already have one. Next sign in and get into the Google Maps application. Put the full address of the starting point of your walk in the box at the top of the page. The click on “search maps”. That will bring you to a closeup map of the location, identified by a red balloon.

At this point you can begin creating your customized walking route map. Start by clicking on “My Maps” in the upper left. Then click “create a new map”. Give it a name and description. You can make it public or private as you wish. Next locate the three symbols at the upper left hand corner of the map. They are a hand, a balloon and a crooked line, The hand is used to move the map about and the last two are used to create your route. Click on the blue balloon which will create a placemark and then click on or near the red balloon. This will set a reference point to which you can return if needed. Next step is to hover over the crooked line and select “draw line along roads”. A cross hair will appear. Place the cross hair near your blue placemark and click. This creates you starting point. Slowly move the cross hair along a particular route that looks appealing. When you get to you first four way intersection click again. A second small circle along with a box will appear. You’ll see a distance number appear inside the box. Continue to move the cross hair slowly along the streets you are considering walking. You’ll see the distance number changing as you do. Continue on until you have reached about half your targeted walking distance and click again. Another small circle will appear. Now you can begin to plot your way back to your starting point. Once you’ve return click again and hit “Done” to the left of the map and your finished.
 

The Google Maps application is designed to plot the shortest route, so it may automatically try to change your route along the way. If you don’t want it to re-plot just click at the point where it starts its’ re-plotting process. That will establish another set point (small circle) and you can go on from there. Using it may take a bit of getting use to but with a little practice you’ll be able to get your routes planned and plotted quickly and effortlessly.

Once you’ve got your route saved you can then examine it in detail from street level view, a satellite view, get an idea of terrain, email, print it or create a hyperlink. Google Maps is really an amazing and highly useful piece of software that should take it’s place alongside your shoes, socks and other pieces of walking equipment.

 

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Pedometer the Commitment Creating Walking Equipment

Filed under: Walking Benefits,Walking Clothing,Walking Equipment,Walking Gear — Tags: , , , — walkin' man @ 3:19 pm

Walking Equipment -- PedometerOne of the more useful pieces of walking equipment you can acquire is a pedometer. But what exactly is a pedometer and how does it work?

A pedometer is an ingenious little devise that can actually senses your body movements and determine when you take a step. The pedometer then uses stride count and stride length to give you a reasonably accurate measurement of the distance you’ve traveled. There are a number of styles and features to chose from at a variety of prices. For simplicity’s sake, I’ll limit this discussion to the most common model, the simple step counter/clip on.


The typical pedometer attaches to your belt or walking clothing, placed on a direct line with the center of your kneecap parallel to the ground. They are a bit forgiving but the closer to this alinement the better. If too far out of line they will not generate accurate readings.  Once you’ve found a likely spot and aligned it properly ,the next step in the process is to measure your stride length. Methods to establish a stride length vary and you will need to follow the instructions that come with your specific unit. Once this data is imputed, the unit needs to be calibrated. That’s accomplished simply by taking a short walk, counting your steps and comparing it with the reading on the pedometer. If the count is too high, move the pedometer a bit toward you navel and away from your hip. If too low, reverse that, moving it closer to your hip. If it still isn’t giving you accurate information you may need to remeasure your stride. Keep in mind that your stride length may vary from a step taken from a full stop position to one made as part of a sequence of steps during a walk.


A peodometer gives you a standard which in turn allows you to set goals and measure your performance against those gaols. With many people setting goals and working to achieve them is a key component in keeping them focused on continuing their walking benefits and activity. Whether the goal is a daily one of 6,000 steps per day (recommended for health maintenance) or a weekly or yearly total, a pedometer will give you the information you need to monitor how well you are doing. Many people wear them all day long to help them understand their overall level of physical activity.  A second use, a pedometer can convert your walking activity into a caloric burn measurment.  Roughly speaking it takes about 2,000 steps to burn 100 calories.  So if you have that extra piece of pie, you’ll know how many steps you are going to have to take to burn it off.

Faithfully employing a pedometer as a key compoetent in your walking equipment arsnel can be extermely useful, helping you understand your level of phyiscal activity, keeping you committed to you walking activities and integrating you walk into your daily rotune

 


 Here are a few articles and sites that you may find of interest:

 

 

  • walking magazine english edition | The Books – walking magazine english edition autumn 2008. Contents. magazine project. magazine studies 4-7 artist’s gesture 8-13. If I ruled the world 50-55 abscence of expression 58-60. artist project. Jae-Oon Roh: Warp point is still a long way …

 

 

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Essential Equipment — Proper Walking Technique

Filed under: Walking Benefits — Tags: , , , , , — walkin' man @ 11:11 am

 

Proper walking form is as important as proper walking equipment and gear. Proper walking form maximizes the positive benefits of your walking routine while minimizing the risk of injury. There are several walking techniques specific to the style of walking engaged in. For example nordic and race walking have differing walking forms that helps maximize performance in that specific style. Although there are many commonalities. This post will focus on the form employed by most casual, exercise oriented walkers. We’ll break it down by body parts.

 

First what to do with your arms? Your arms should be bent at a 90 degree angle, no more. As you walk, they should “pump” backwards and forwards, not criss-cross across you mid-section. The more you engage your arms while you walk, the greater the aerobic impact.

 

Your should walk erect with your spine as straight and elongated as is comfortable . Your shoulders should be pulled back and down. Don’t swing them front to back excessively. Keep them loose and relaxed during your walk. Swing them in a circle if you feel them begin to tighten up. Try not to hunch you shoulders or lean forward or back as you walk. Keep you stomach sucked in to aid in keeping you erect and to engage additional muscles in your walking routine.

 

Lift you chest slightly. Breath deeply, expanding your stomach rather than your chest. Develop a step rhyme to your breathing. If you can maintain a verbal conversion with a real or imaginary partner without gasping, your breathing pattern is probably OK

 

Head erect and eyes looking straight ahead, not down. On rocky terrain or where footing is uncertain, keep you head erect and glace down every few seconds plotting out a course for your next few steps.

 

Your chin should be slightly pull in and pointed down. This will help keep your neck and head in a firm, erect position

 

When plating your foot it should be on the heel and push off form your flexed toes.

 

Try to keep your stride length moderate, not too long or too short

 

If, like me, find your current walking style simply awful in comparison to the above. Don’t try and change everything at one time. Take one element at a time. Once you’ve mastered that move to the next and so on until you got it down pat.

Mastering a good walking technique, like breaking in your walking equipment, takes a bit of time and effort. But with a little practice and patience it will become second nature and help you increase and maintain the effectiveness of your walking activities comfortably and injury free.

 

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Walking Equipment and Blister Prevention

Filed under: Walking Benefits,Walking Clothing,Walking Equipment,Walking Gear — Tags: , , , , , , , — walkin' man @ 11:31 am

 

The most common injury (other than the occasional sore muscle) that walkers experience is the blister. They are usually the result of improperly fitted or maintained walking gear and/or walking equipment and can therefore be easily avoided by taking a few simple precautionary steps.

First what are blister and how do they develop? The skin has three layers: the epidermis, dermis and Subcutaneous. A blister occurs as the outer layer, epidermis, of skin separates from the inner layers and the space between fills with lymph fluid. This fluid is nature’s way of providing a cushion, protecting the dermis and subcutaneous layer from damage and possible infection.

Blister can develop in several ways: through heat generated by friction, a reaction to harmful chemical or environmental (sunburn) exposure, the result of certain insect bites and medical issues such as allergies and disease The blisters generally associated with walking are caused by friction. Friction from shoes or clothing which rubs repeatedly on a spot on the skin generating heat and causing the skin to separate and the lymph fluid to collect. Friction blisters are usually not serious and can be easily treated, but can get infected if left unattended.

How to treat one if you get one? According to the Mayo Clinic, if you aren’t experiencing any pain try not to break the blister. The epidermis is a natural barrier to bacteria and if left in tack will greatly reduce the risk of infection. If it’s small, cover it with an adhesive bandage, if large use an appropriate size gauze pad, one with the plastic coating. This will allow air access to the wound and promote healing. If it’s painful and/or keeps you from walking properly you may need to drain the fluid . If you have diabetes or poor circulation, check with your doctor before you attempt this procedure. Drain the fluid while leaving the epidermis intact. First wash your hands and the blister with soap and water. Clean the blister with Iodine or rubbing alcohol. Next sterilize a clean needle with rubbing alcohol. Puncture the blister near its’ edge and let the fluid drain. Cover the blister with an antibiotic cream or ointment and cover with a gauze pad. Change gauze and antibiotic cream as necessary. Check occasionally. If you find any signs of infection give your doctor a call.

Blister prevention is fairly simple and straight forward. Friction blisters are prevalent where heat and moisture is present. Heat from the rubbing and moisture from the perspiration generated while walking. Eliminate those two conditions and you prevent a blister from forming.

The heat./rubbing issues can be addressed in a couple of ways.

  • The first and most important is to use comfortably fitting shoes and socks during your walk. Take you time when purchasing a pair of walking shoe. Try them on, walk around in them. Be sure they are not too tight or too loose. Wear the type of sock you’ll use on your walk to ensure a proper fit.

  • Break in your shoes before your first outing. Properly fitted but stiff shoes will cause blisters. If you notice a problem with the fit, even thought you may have had them for a while, take them back to the store and get a new pair. Don’t try and “:work through” a fit problem.

  • Proper walking shoe maintenance will aid in blister prevention as well.

  • If you are plagued by blisters in a specific area you can apply a bit of tape the spot to cut down on the effects of the rubbing.

  • Finally there are friction management patch. These self adhering patches are applied inside the shoe to cushion an affected area.

Moisture is the other culprit and it too can be easily addressed

  • Wear clean, proper fitting socks made of a wicking materials. There are many synthetic wicking materials around but wool still works well. Be sure that the socks are specifically designed for walking with extra padding at the toe and heel. Lose the tube socks. They have tendency to bunch and cause rubbing.

  • As a short term measure talcum power could be used for increased moisture absorption and friction reduction but continual use may actually increase the propensity to develop blisters.

Blisters can be a problem on may levels. Aside from the medical issues, blisters can interrupt your walking routine and be a real de-motivator. So it’s important to take the steps necessary to prevent them from occurring. Proper care and maintenance of all you walking equipment is an important step in preventing injury and keeping your walking program on pace and you on the road.

 

 

 

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Walking Equipment Care and Maintenance – Sneakers

Filed under: walking sneakers — Tags: , , , — walkin' man @ 5:22 pm

We spend a great deal of time talking about your walking shoes and there’s a very good reason for that. Walking shoes are an essential piece of walking equipment gear. It’s important that they are the proper shoe for the task i.e classified as “walking shoes or sneakers”. It’s important that they fit properly and provide adequate cushioning and support. Its’ important that they be checked periodically for wear and tear. And it is important they they be properly maintained. You spent a bit of time and money to select and purchase just the right pair so it’s to your benefit that you spend a little time and money to properly take care of them.


With leather shoes or boots the first thing you want is to apply additional weatherproofing. Moisture is a shoes worst enemy. While most outdoor shoes claim to be “weatherproofed” the quality and durability of that feature will vary greatly. Therefore, it’s a good idea to go the extra step and apply an additional coating just to make sure. Weatherproof sealants are readily available at most athletic shoe or outdoor gear stores. Apply the sealant per the instructions on the product. Pay extra attention to the stitching and stitching holes. Those are usually the first things that rot. If your shoes are suede or fabric, there are waterproofing sprays that will do the job. Be sure to select the right product to your shoes material. One more tip…after you’ve got your new walking shoes waterproofed, wear them around the house for a day or two to break them in. Your shoes will thank you and so will your feet


OK you’ve taken your first walk, they feel great and you’ve taken them off. Now what? Don’t just throw them under the bed and pull them out again tomorrow. How you treat you shoes from this point will have a huge impact on how long they last and the level of comfort and support they provide. Moisture is the enemy of shoe, regardless of the material they are made of. First thing you need to do after your walk is clean your shoes of all mud, dirt, grass and any other type of grim you’ve pick up during your walk. With leather shoes a rag and brush usually will do the trick. With fabric shoes it may be necessary to use a little soap and water on the uppers to get out all the grit and grim. Never, never throw them in the washer and /or dryer. Don’t soak them either. Hand wash with a rag, a brush and a bit of soap and cold water. Let them air dry. With a suede shoes it’s best not to get the wet. Simply use a toothbrush to clean away the dirt and grim. Difficult stains will usually require a special stain remover. Nubuck and durabuck leather should be treated the same way as suede with regular brushing and an appropriate stain remover when necessary. Never put your walking shoes next to a heat source wet or dry.


Next either stuff them with newspaper or invest in a pair of cedar shoe trees and allow them to completely dry out. It’s really a good idea to have two pairs of walking shoes. This will allow you to alternate and give each pair time to completely dry out between walks. As the shoes age take a quick look at the soles and heels to check for excessive wear. Weatherproofing doesn’t last forever. It’s a good idea to occasionally reapply the weatherproofing materiel. Don’t over do it, follow the instructions on the can or bottle. If you’ve gotten caught in the rain and your shoes are soaked, allow them to air dry completely before you do any cleaning or polishing. Again NO DRYER.


With the popularity of fabric shoes, the art of polishing leather seems to be in decline. So for those who are unfamiliar with the process we offer the following. First buy a polish that contain both wax and conditioning agents. Don’t use liquid polishes. They dry out leather and cause cracking.

Use a brush or damp cloth to remove any dust and dried mud from the uppers, heel and sole. Next remove the laces. Apply the polish with your applicator brush in a circular motion. Be sure to work the polish into all the nooks and crannies .Once you done applying the polish let the shoes set for 15 minutes. After the wax has dried. brush them with a polish brush, soft bristled, and then buff them to a finished shine with a buffing cloth, Re-lace them and your ready to go.

.Just remember, moisture will shorten the life of your walking equipment and that’s especially true for shoes. A little time spent in proper care and maintenance can potentially increase the life of you walking shoe and provide you with undiminished comfort and support.


 

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When to Replace Walking Equipment – Sneakers

Filed under: walking sneakers — Tags: , , — walkin' man @ 5:25 pm

 

As has been mentioned several times in various blog posts, your walking shoes are the most critical part of walking equipment assortment. Improper fitting or worn out walking shoes can and do lead to any number of injuries, everything from blisters to stress fractures. So how do you know when it’s time to toss or demote those old shoes and look for something new?

Often times you hear that you should replace your shoes every 2 to 6 months or every 500 mile. But everyone’s walking pattern and style is different so these broad guidelines are not especially informative or helpful. The only way to really get an idea of whether or not to replace your walking shoes is to look carefully at wear patterns on the sole and heal. Here are some things to check.

 

  • Place the shoes on a flat surface and look at it from the heal. It should lay flat. If it leans or there is a gap of more that a 1/8 of an inch between heel and surface, it won’t proved your foot with the proper support and need to be replaced.

 

  • Place the shoes on a flat surface and place downward pressure on the heal and toe. The rock the shoe in toward the instep and back out again. If there is excessive rocking with the downward pressure being applied, it’s time to replace the shoes.

  • Push into the shock absorbing pad on the heal and instep. They should be firm and resilient.

  • Examine the tread, if worn through or smooth it is time for a replacement

  • How do they feel? Are your feet or legs sore? Time for a replacement

  • Have wrinkles appeared on the side of or in any indented part of the heel. The shoe will not provide support and should be replaced.

Remember, too, that moisture wears out shoes. A wet shoe cannot stabilize the foot as well as a dry one, and the shoe will stretch out. In addition, wet shoes cannot absorb shock as effectively and will tend to over compress. Rotating pairs so they have a couple of days to dry out before running in them will help. An additional reason to have two pairs of walking sneakers is to have a comparison. By alternating between to sets of shoe, you’ll be able to more easily identify which pair is not giving you proper support and cushion.

One final tip. Take your old shoes along with you when shopping for a new pair. Look for a replacement that has good support and tread in the areas where your old pair shows the most wear.

The age and condition of all your walking equipment is important in keeping you comfortable and injury free while you walk. There’s always the temptation to put off replacing worn out gear but it’s usually a false economy. So always take the time to inspect your walking gear and replace what’s necessary

 

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Walking Equipment — What Do You Really Need?

Filed under: Walking Clothing,Walking Equipment,Walking Gear — walkin' man @ 4:45 pm

walking equipment -- fanny pack

Well what sort of walking equipment do really need to take a walk? The overall benefits of any walking equipment list is to keep you as comfortable, safe and injury free. However. a lot will depend on what type of walking you are engaged in, where you live and what time of year it is. If you occasionally walking to the store or around the block, you really don’t need anything special at all. But if your walking is part of an fitness routine or are simply enjoying a 2 or 3 mile hike, you really need to think a bit about pulling some “stuff” together to ensure that your treks are pleasant and/or productive. Since I’m writing this in early fall, we won’t concern ourselves with hot or cold weather conditions. Save that for another post.


With that in mind, the following is a list of walking gear that you may want to incorporate into your walking program:


Walking Clothing: Again assuming that you have relatively warm weather conditions, you’ll need to consider the four basic clothing items; top, shorts, socks and shoes. We needn’t be too fussy about the first two. Something lose fitting of cotton should be fine. Depending on the length and bulk of your final equipment list , you may want to consider shorts with some extra and/or extra large pockets. Shoes and socks are another matter. It’s critically important that these two items fit properly and are design appropriate to the task at hand. Socks first. The should be fitted. No tube socks. They should be made of moisture absorbing material. There are some synthetic fibers available but to me good old wool seems to work best. They should have extra padding at the heal and ball and there should be no seams at potential pressure points like the toe, ball or heal. Next shoes. Reams have been written about how to get properly fitted for walking sneakers or boots. The smartest thing to do…visit you local athletic shoe store and try some on. Stick with shoes specifically designed for walking. When you visit be sure to bring along a pair of walking socks to insure proper fitting. Find a pair that is snug but not tight. Walk around a bit. They can be expensive so be certain they feel right. Pay careful attention to the width. Many manufactures make only three widths and actual sizes can vary between manufacture and shoe model. In addition to a good fit they should be light weight and well cushioned at the heel and ball of your foot. If you can’t find anything that fits right, don’t compromise or fall for a salesman’s pitch. Move on to another store, The key here is to take your time. Additional clothing items to consider are a hat and bandana. My personal preference is a full brimmed hat that protects the ears and back of neck from the sun. I’m one of those people who perspire at the drop of a hat, so I wear a bandana for extra moisture absorption.


Fitness Monitoring Devises: Two items to consider here a pedometer and a heart rate monitor. A pedometer is a devise that measures the distance you travel during you walk. A heart rate monitor, usually in a watch configuration, does just that, monitors your heart rate. A pedometer is useful when you’ve set specific goals (ie walk 20 miles a week) and you need to monitor your performance against those goals. A heart rate monitor is useful if you are interested in measuring and maintaining the intensity of your walk.


Safety and Security Devises: This lists includes light reflective armbands. A cell phone, a pen light, whistle, a bit of money ($5 should do) and perhaps a container of pepper spray ( to ward off stray dogs of all types).


Comfort Items: A water bottle, a light-weight plastic sheet rain poncho, some sun block, sun glasses, a couple of band aids or blister treatment pack, and finally a MP3 player or I pod to help pass the time and miles. I would also include a fanny pack as part of this assortment. Preferably one with a water bottle holder. Not only does it keep you hands free when walking but also keeps all your walking gear together in one place.


As you evaluate this list you need to match it with your specific walking goals and conditions. Not all items will be necessary in all cases. Keep in mind that when assembling your assortment that weight and size is always an issue. So think light and small when making your final selection.


As I mentioned above the objective of this list is to keep you safe, comfortable and injury free and most important of all, to keep you on the road.

 

 Additional info on starting a weight loss exercise program

  • Walking For Weight Loss And Fitness – Other walking accessories you might like are a pedometer to keep track of the distance you have walked or a calorie burn counter to measure just how effective your walking for weight loss program is. …

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