“These [shoes] are made for walking. And that’s just what they’ll do.” - Nancy Sinatra
The question of if lightweight shoes are any good for walking is a hot topic. The best answer we can give is, ‘it depends’.
You see we’ve been given the highest of ratings by grilled-cheese lovers, gardening rockstars, questionable skiers and even by someone closely related (four times removed, cousin’s best-friend’s mum’s hairdresser’s dog sitter) to royalty*.
And whilst we can’t give you the categorical answer if lightweight shoes are good for walking, we can give you some of the things we consider when pulling on a pair of shoes for a bit of walking.
“I wear these all day, everyday. No blisters!” - Will, Southampton (wearing the Haven)
For the comfort factor
Lightweight shoes are comfy - no-one wants uncomfy shoes. Especially if they’re walking or on your feet all day. Traditionally made shoes can be stiff and hard, whereas ideally you want to find a pair that flexes with your foot. Finding a good light pair of shoes can help reduce pain from rubbing and weight.
Tip: Always have a peek at the reviews - have other people commented on how comfy they are? Not every pair suits everyone, but look for the majority consensus to get a feel of how comfortable your lightweight shoes are.
KickBack says: if the comments say they’re like living on a cloud nine, then it must be true. Pillow-like comfort!
Look out for design considerations
Well-constructed lightweight shoes can be great for walking in places that don’t need that extra level of ‘outdoors’. You can walk around office buildings, across the city, and even in theme parks.
Tip: Make sure when you’re searching for the right shoes, you look for a pair that has no pressure points, doesn’t close up your toes or force you to walk a certain way.
KickBack Top Tip: Don’t always trust what the cowboys say. Have you seen how pointy their toes must be to live in those boots?
Consider what you need from your shoes
Whilst lightweight shoes are good for walking, consider just how far you have to go… Walking from the beach to the local restaurants or along the promenade is a very different story to hiking up rocky terrain with your dog. Consider where you’re going and how you can find a shoe that fits your lifestyle best. Make sure you also look for the right level of support for the task at hand.
Tip: If you’re looking for a pair of shoes that can do more than one job, or are looking for a transition shoe that can do more than one task, consider a more versatile design. There are even designs that encourage you to kick down the backs of your shoes - you can’t get told off for kicking KickBack heels down.
KickBack Top Tip: So. We heard from our mate’s brother that he thought he needed hiking boots. Turned out he was just needing a pair to take him across Universal Orlando Studios. We don’t blame him for thinking hiking shoes were needed - but KickBacks did him proud.
Could lightweight shoes be your top choice?
Lightweight shoes have a lot of benefits for your average everyday walking.
Being so lightweight, you can almost forget you’re wearing them. Add in the breathable membranes and the space for your toes to stretch and you find that lightweight shoes make for an easy-walk experience.
Whilst they may not be the wisest choice for a rocky hike, they certainly can fit your everyday lifestyle.
And remember if we’ve got royalty* recommending us, they must be good.
*We cannot be held responsible for how far removed our bloodline of royals are…