Walker's Opinions Please

[windwalker]

As everyone knows by now I'm purely a walker who does races, not a fitness walker and not a run/walker. As such I put in a lot of miles, normally 20 to 30 a week and during training for marathons I get over 40 miles some weeks.

There are hundreds of thousands of walkers like me out there, several are right here on the WISH site. I'm part of the fastest growing sport in the fitness world.

Now the problem: Not one of the shoe companies markets to us. We have unique needs in shoes. Running shoes with their high and cushioned heels are not good shoes for a fast walker. The shoes the copmpanies market as "Walkers", are heavy and designed for mall strolling. There are some good shoes out there but it's a struggle to find any as most stores don't carry them. The racing flats are some of the best but again most stores don't carry them. We need a little cushion and a lot of flexability, a wide toe box is often needed as well. You can try spend a small fortune trying to find a proper shoe. New Balance came up with a racewalking shoe, but it's to high on the sides and causes pain on the underside of your ankle bones with any decent miles. So they discontinued it instead of improving it.

Wouldn't it be nice to see shoes designed for endurance walkers? Tested by walkers and marketed to walkers?

I'm going to try and get a shoe company to listen to me on this. The market is wide open because there are hundreds of thousands of potential customers and no competition.

I want to see what some of you other walkers thought about this idea and get any feedback and others ideas you might have. I'm going to approach Nike, New Balance, Mizuno and Brooks to start. You guys know I don't mind asking the questions, it's just hard to get anyone to listen.

If I can get anyone to listen would anyone like to be a tester? It would be nice to have some testers linned up if a shoe company were to be interested.

Walker Panda

 

[Steffwalks]

Count me in!

 

[windwalker]

Count me in!

Cool. I just finished emailing Brooks.

Baby Needs New Shoes Panda

 

[funwalker]

Wouldn't it be nice to see shoes designed for endurance walkers? Tested by walkers and marketed to walkers?

Walker Panda[/QUOTE]

What a great
Not sure If I walk enough miles to be considered, but I am willing also.

Enjoy His 'Son' shine!
~Margie

 

[DianeL]

Susan is a walker who has a horrible time finding shoes that work for her. She had a pair of those clunky more for hiking than marathoning walking shoes that did see her across the finish line in Jan 2007. I can't remember what she wore for the ToT. but I know when we got home she went shoe shopping again. I won't even hazard a guess as to how many shoes she's tried this year and she's still searching.

I'm going to let her know about this thread.

Good luck with the quest Dave!!!!

 

[nepatsfan73]

I'll volunteer to be the "Big Man" walking shoe tester. It would be good to have a walking shoe designed for the portly set. I can't run because of my artificial hips, but larger people in general could use a good distance walking shoe as the impact of running isn't necessarily good for larger people's joints even when healthy.

 

[perfectmatch300]

Me too! I especially have a problem with lack of flexibility in shoes. Either I don't have enough support or not enough flex. I usually go for the support, but the stiffness of the shoe then makes it hard for my little feet to do anything like a proper rolling motion so I slap a lot when I walk which is not good at all. I also am right there with you about the wider toe box without making the heel too wide as well.

 

[monte]

Dave, I hear ya. I have a terrible time finding the right shoe/fit especially since I developed PF. I recently bought a pair of Brooks, Gs5 MoGo, and so far they feel wonderful. The sales rep. really worked with me in finding the proper shoe with just enough cushion and support. I'm very happy with them.

 

[windwalker]

The more I thought about this today the more it ticked me off. As far as the shoe companies are concerned we don't exist, we are just walkers after all, who cares what our needs are, the question is how to get us noticed.

You can pick up any sports magazine and see ads for "Running and hiking" shoes, when have you seen an ad for a marathon walking shoe? Have you ever heard of a shoe designed for the marathon walker?

Soap Boxing Panda

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Dave I think you have a great idea. Don't give up that would be the only thing I could offer.

Someone has to be out there that will be able to listen and be able to get it to market!

 

[nepatsfan73]

**Dave** Do you think it would help if I wrote a letter about distance walking shoes to Pearl Izuma (sp?)? I could include a picture of myself as well and offer to be part of their advertising campaign.

 

[sassparillo]

I think it's a great idea. I'm a heavy walker so I bet I bring in a whole new set of issues. I'd try some shoes out

 

[ohMom]

count me in as an endurance walker needing neutral shoes to fit my orthotics and maybe i won't have shin splints, tendonitis, and bursitis

seriously..count me in

 

[gatorphipps]

WOW Dave! I just cannot believe there are no walking shoes out there! Lots of luck!

As you know, I am not a walker...heck, I hardly even take walk breaks during a run...but anyway...my mom is a walker and she may be interested in testing.

Thanks for doing this! I say, you are the "cool Panda"!

 

[windwalker]

I got an answer. This is the answer I got from Brooks Shoe Company:

Hello Dave,



Thank you for updating us on your product footwear request regarding racewalking shoes. Your message did promote some discussion with our footwear development team, and will forward this link to them so they can check out this dialog. Thanks again and please let us know if we may be of additional assistance.


Regards,
Brooks Sports Inc

 

[nepatsfan73]

Dave-- I have been somewhat happy with the Brooks Beast shoes, which are what I currently wear. They seem to support my size and hold up well (which is important to me as a big guy with joint issues), but as the walking distances increase, they just don't feel right. I think it is because of the sole design/heel thickness, which makes landing on the heel and rolling to the ball of the foot slightly challenging and I generally end up with more of a slapping type/flat landing. Of the few types of shoes I've tried so far though, they seem to be the best for me overall to this point.

 

[westcliffemom]

I'm in! I'm using Asics right now, but would love a specially designed walking shoe! Brooks would be great!

 

[KelNottAt]

I'm in. I've gone from NB to Asics to Saucony to Brooks and still can't find anything right.

 

[perfectmatch300]

Dave, it's encouraging to hear that you at least got a response! Now let's hope it gets beyond the discussion stage! Maybe you could tell them how many testers you have already lined up? Think that would help?

 

[windwalker]

Dave, it's encouraging to hear that you at least got a response! Now let's hope it gets beyond the discussion stage! Maybe you could tell them how many testers you have already lined up? Think that would help?

I even emailed John Bingham today to see if he had any ideas to pass along. Since he was the one who made it ok to be a slow runner.

Walking Panda