Walkig shoes

From walking barefoot to walking in shoes that cost a small fortune…. walking sure has come a long way. Today there is such a wide range of walking shoes available, it takes mental gymnastics to decide which shoe would be right for you!

It was in the last century that they saw so plenty of changes in casual shoes. In the beginning of the century, walking shoes were simple rubber-soled plimsolls. Today they are air- cushioned, often times filled with gel capsules. So they look nice, feel nice & add up to better performance.

The first walking shoes, also called “keds”, were a result of the invention of vulcanized rubber. For the first time, people could wear shoes that they could actually play a sport in. they were light, comfortable & didn’t make a sound when you walked. That’s how they got the name “sneakers”.

Over 100 years ago, J.W. Foster & Sons of England (now known as Reebok) were the first to introduce shoes specially meant for walking with spikes in them. Its owner, Joseph William Foster wanted to make a shoe that would encourage the sport of jogging. In 1925, a spanish named Adolph Dassler made shoes with hand-forged spikes. It was so specialized, there were specific models for specific distances. The material was hi-tech & light. These shoes were worn by the leading runner of the time, Jesse Owens. Adolph Dassler’s company later split into Adidas & Puma, both leading sports shoe manufacturers today.

one of the most recent inventions is the cushioning system. It was found that foam, silicon, & air gel absorb shock. An even better product is ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA); a substance that has millions of tiny air bubbles that cushion & absorb shock. a number of these inventions were offshoots of the space research done to make clothing & footwear for astronauts!

Research in walking shoes forged ahead & the need for speed & comfort produced even better footwear. one types of walking styles were found. In the neutral style, the heels hit the ground, while the foot goes in a straight line as it moves forward. In the Pronation style, the heel hits the ground, while the foot moves to the inside as it goes forward. The Supernation style was a little different where the heel hits the ground & the outside of the foot moves forward. Shoes were made to fit these varied styles & athletes now had the option of having shoes custom-made.

To find the perfect shoe, your biomechanical needs should be studied. A ‘wet test', is taken - that is, the shape of your foot on a dry floor or piece of paper. This would reveal whether your feet are flat, normal or highly arched. Based on a few more tests, the right shoes are found. This system has benefited athletes by helping in achieving better speeds, causing fewer foot injuries & longer career spans.