So you decided to take on walking. And you took those shoes out. You could be making a mistake if you are walking in thin-soled tennis sneakers, high-tops, or athletic-looking footwear designed for fashion, not function. Wearing the wrong walking shoes can cause pain, injury and irritate the skin and could make you decide never to go for walking ever again.

Walking shoes are specifically designed for how we walk. Walkers land on their heels. So the heels of walking shoes are often slanted to increase stability. That stability is also important when you roll forward and push off with your toes, as you do when you walk. And you'll be less likely to trip because the soles of walking shoes are smoother than those of running shoes.

THE FOOT TYPE
Every foot has a type; neutral, rigid and flexible.

Neutral Foot
Your feet are well balanced you have the rotation movement merit. Your feet lengthen and spread out about a half-shoe size when you stand; they absorb shock well and have good stability. You are the lucky one because yours is the easiest foot to fit therefore many styles are designed for your type. Make sure you buy a pair that feels comfortable.

Rigid Foot
Your arch is so high. Your feet tend to roll inward only slightly, so you walk more on the outsides of your feet Rigid feet are stable, but they don’t absorb shock well because they're very stiff. You need shoes that are well cushioned to absorb shock and flexible enough to allow your feet to roll more. Go for a roomy upper to accommodate your high arch.

Flexible Foot
Your foot is flat and has a low arch. Your feet roll inward too much when you walk. They’re unstable but they absorb shock well because they spread out: They change an entire size when you stand. Your feet tend to flatten; you need a pair of shoes that has less space between the laces and the sole. You don't need a lot of cushioning, but you
do need good arch support so your feet don't completely flatten when you step. Also, lower-heeled shoes will help keep your feet more stable.

Make sure you buy a pair that feels comfortable when you try it on-mere should be no rubbing or pinching. While you are shopping for walking shoes, bear the following in mind:
1. Buy the shoes in the afternoon as the feet tend to swell later in the day.
2. Try the shoes with socks on and with sports socks if you are buying
sports shoes.
3. Walk around with the shoes on for five minutes in the store. The toes should not touch the front of the shoe and rub against the surface of the shoe on any spot as it will cause irritation and long term use of faulty footwear can cause other foot problems like bunions and corns.