Chavez finally settled on a pair of Columbia cross training shoes

Tag : comfortable walking shoes

Joseph Chavez started walking three years ago. He walks the AlpinePedal Path from the East Boat Launch Ramp to the Big Bear DiscoveryCenter five times a week. “It’s very difficult to findgood shoes,” he said. Some sneakers are too tight and othersmake your feet hurt after long walks, he said.

“Nylon sneakers don’t break in and tend not tostretch,” Epting said. Nylon sneakers need to fit the firsttime you wear them, he said.

Chavez finally settled on a pair of Columbia cross training shoes.“These are really comfortable,” he said.

Mike Clifton’s shoes look like he has owned them for years.“It’s because I coached softball in them,” hesaid. Don’t be fooled by the dirty Reeboks’ appearance,Clifton swears by his sneakers. “I believe you get what youpay for in shoes, but there is a point where you spend so much youdon’t get any more out of it,” he said.

“People buy $60 shoes and expect to run in themeveryday,” Epting said. The key is to know how much youintend to do in the shoe. “You never want to run in walkingshoes, but you can always walk in running shoes,” he said.Walking shoes are made for older consumers who are less likely tospend a lot of money on sneakers. The trade off is cheapermaterials that don’t hold up, he said.

Jack Watson swears by his New Balance sneakers. The sneakersaccommodate Watson’s wide heels and are a perfect fit, hesaid. That’s important because Watson is a diabetic.