Walking, especially Nordic walking, has become more and more a popular sport in recent years. Walking is suitable for young and old. You actively move in nature and unlike jogging or hiking, the upper arm and shoulder muscles are also stressed during Nordic walking. Due to the very fast way to go, Nordic Walking is an endurance sport. Nordic walking is also a sociable sport that you can do well as a couple or in small groups. Despite the physical activity you can consciously perceive and enjoy the nature and verbally exchange without any problems.

Good footwear is required

During one hour of Nordic Walking 5,000 to 6,000 steps are taken. It has been calculated that the shoes have to withstand a load in the double-digit tonne range during such a march. A good walking shoe therefore has to be robust, but also lightweight, so that it does not burden the runner with its own weight. A walking shoe must also be breathable and well ventilated, and support the rolling of the foot by a flexible nature. On the sole profile special requirements are also made. The choice of a suitable walking shoe also depends on which terrain you prefer to move. Those who do their walking in parks and on paths need a less pronounced lug profile than in rough and changeable terrain. When walking the heel part is particularly stressed, which must be processed particularly stable and should give a safe and comfortable feeling while running. The sole in the front foot area must be flexible. A walking shoe must be flexible overall and support the repulsion of the foot. If you are more likely to move on uneven terrain, you should make sure that the shaft supports the foot and prevents sprains. A walking shoe has rather a broad sole. Such a sports shoe must be able to adapt well to the shape of the foot.

Popular sport from the north

But where does Nordic Walking come from and what has made this type of travel so popular with us? The training method of Nordic Walking was first described in 1979 by the Finnish coach Mauri Repo. The concept of this training had been developed as a summer training for skiers. Mauri wrote a whole book about the type of training that included exercises but mental and anatomical reasons. Only in 1997 did the Finnish company Exel produce for the first time special, especially light sticks for Nordic Walking in series. The name for the endurance sport was established two years later as part of an advertising campaign for the product. Gradually, Nordic walking gained international fame. Nordic Walking is just as suitable for laymen as for professionals. The technique and proper attitude of the sticks must be learned. Due to the additional load on the upper body muscles, the joints are particularly stressed. Originally it was claimed that the poles contribute to the relief of the joints. Those who have particularly sensitive joints should therefore prefer to practice conventional walking. To suitable Walking Shoes that makes the same demands.

Walking shoes in comparison and comparison

Apart from the personal requirements and the external circumstances of the walking training were 11 different Walking Shoes tested. The winner of the competition was a women’s walking shoe made by Reebok. The Reebok Premier Flex GTX VI Womens Walking Trainers received a very good rating. It followed models of different manufacturers with good reviews. In second place was the Asics 8.0 Women UK Gel, which is certified to be a perfect fit and water-repellent. The Circle Unisex by Bruetting with high-quality cushioning CME outsole and gel cushioning system in the back foot area, the City Cross by Salomon in microfibre and low profile, and the Circle anthracite and orange also by Bruetting follow with similarly good ratings. Also on the next rank a model of Bruetting can assert itself, the Hiker V for men. The men’s Guggen Mountain trekking shoe, which is breathable, water-repellent and extremely hard-wearing, also performed just as well. The Cannonball Mountain Kids Hiking Shoe with padded ankle area and suede upper got just as good a rating. The models Gel Mission walking shoe for men by Asics, the Guggen mountain walking shoe for women and the unisex walking shoe by the manufacturer of Sitaile complete the range with only a few minor drawbacks. The latter impresses with a particularly well-balanced price-performance ratio.