Oxfam Trailwalker Shoes
Picking the right shoe is very important when it comes to successfully completing Oxfam Trailwalker Melbourne. Having the right pair of shoes can be the difference between finishing blister free and not even making it to the 50km point due to blisters. It can also be the difference between getting an injury and finishing injury free.
Having your shoes professionally and properly fitted to your foot is one of the most important things you need to do if you are going to participate in Oxfam Trailwalker this year. The shoe needs to be the best fit for your foot. It should be the right length and width for your foot. A shoe that is either too tight or too big for you will cause you big problems. If the shoe is too tight it will rub and cause blisters, if the shoe is too big your foot will slide back and forward in the shoe, which will also cause blisters.
There are many different shoes on the market that are appropriate for Oxfam Trailwalker Melbourne. You will need to try on a few to find the right one for you because they all fit slightly differently and everyone’s feet are a different shape. This is why I always recommend that you have your shoes professionally fitted.
If you have had your shoes professionally fitted an you are still experiencing problems such as blisters, arch pain or sore ankles it is advisable that you see a podiatrist When it comes to choosing appropriate shoes for Oxfam Trailwalker there are two shoe categories that I would consider:
- trail walking/running shoe
- hiking shoe
Hiking shoes are generally heavier than trail running shoes and less flexible but tend to provide a lot of support for your feet and ankle. Paddy Pallin has a great range of hiking shoes and trail walking shoes in their Melbourne store http://www.paddypallin.com.au/ and their staff are well trained to fit you with an appropriate shoe.
For me personally I prefer to wear trail walking/running shoes for Oxfam Trailwalker. Last year when I took part in Melbourne Oxfam Trailwalker the team I was in all wore Asics Gel-Fuji Sensors.
Asics Gel-Fuji Sensor: Is a neutral trail walking shoe which is designed for people who require some support but generally do not pronate (rolling inwards of the foot and ankle) heavily or have flat feet. The shoes provide good balance of support and cushioning and are suitable for most people.
Asics Gel-Kahana: Is similar to Asics Gel-Fuji Sensor but is a more supportive trail walking shoe and is designed for a moderate to heavily pronated foot type.
