Essential Walking Gear: The Top 4 Items for Beginners

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Now that the kids are getting ready to back to school and the temperatures will (hopefully) start to cool a bit in the coming weeks, it’s the perfect time to think about starting a new walking routine!

One of the wonderful things about walking is that it’s a form of exercise that it’s so easily accessible.  As long as you’re able to walk, you can start a walking routine—and you can keep it up wherever you are and whenever it fits into your schedule.  There aren’t any special skills that you need to learn.  You don’t have to sign up for classes with a special instructor.  And you don’t need any special equipment.  You can walk through your neighborhood in the morning.  You can walk around your office over your lunch break.  You can walk on your favorite trail in the evening.  You can walk at a park, through city streets, or even around your living room while you’re catching up on your favorite TV show.

Oh, sure, I love my walking gear.  I love my goodr sunglasses and my Balega socks, and I’ve got a whole shelf of different hydration packs and vests, which I choose depending on my mood, my walk, and the weather conditions. And you know I’m picky about my walking shoes and my leggings.  But the fancy stuff isn’t important.  For me, it’s just the result of me being passionate (okay…maybe obsessive is more the word) about my walking.

I’ve had a few new walkers join me on walks, to help them start up their own walking routines, and as we’re starting, we talk about the basic necessities of walking.  So here are the things that I recommend picking up (or pulling out of your drawer) to help you get started.

Walking Shoes

Admittedly, I’ve seen people walking the track at the gym in Crocs.  I’ve seen people out on the trail in cheap canvas sneakers.  And if you’re just walking to your friend’s house on the other side of the neighborhood, that’s fine.  But if you want to start walking on a regular basis, you need something better for your feet than your everyday casual shoes—or the running shoes that have been collecting dust for the last 15 years. 

There are a lot of high-end brands out there, but I’m not going to tell you that spending $200 on a pair of top-of-the-line walking shoes is a must.  Would they feel amazing on your feet?  Maybe.  But if that’s not in your budget, don’t take out a loan for fancy shoes.

I do, however, recommend taking the time to find the right shoes.  If you end up with shoes that hurt your feet, you’re not going to keep walking.  So do some shopping around.  You can check out your local running store or a sporting goods store.  You can try a shoe store or explore the options at the outlet mall.  Before I picked out my first pair of dedicated walking shoes, I spent a day just trying different brands and styles and walking around shoe stores.  And it was so worth it.

Sure, I have a lot of pricier shoes that I love, but some people swear by Sketchers walking shoes.  I’ve always been a fan of Rykas.  Or if you’re looking for a good deal on a more expensive shoe, keep an eye out for end-of-model sales—or check out places like Sierra or Relay.  But find something that fits your budget and works for your feet—because you’re about to spend a whole lot of time in these shoes, and you want to be comfortable.

Appropriate Clothing

Can’t you just walk in anything?  Well, technically, yes.  You can go for a walk in jeans and your favorite t-shirt.  But you’re going to want comfortable clothing that’s appropriate for the weather.  Look for gear made of synthetic fibers like polyester and spandex because they’ll move with you—and they breathe better than cotton, so you won’t come home in sweat-drenched workout gear. 

For women, I recommend picking up a comfortable sports bra, some polyester t-shirts and tanks, and some leggings or yoga pants in various lengths.  For cooler times of the year, you’ll want some long sleeves, a comfortable hoodie or jacket, and maybe some additional cold-weather gear (we’ll talk more about that later!).  And don’t forget the socks!  If the backs of your socks aren’t high enough to cover the backs of your shoes, you’re going to come home with some nasty blisters, and you may end up side-lined.

Hydration

Staying hydrated on your walks is so important.  So before you start a regular walking routine, be sure to think about your hydration options.  If your cupboards are full of gigantic (and super heavy) Stanleys, I recommend picking up something lighter and more portable—and possibly even hands-free if you don’t want to carry a water bottle through your entire walk.

Hydration gear tends to fall into three different categories: handheld, pack, or vest.  For most of my daily walks, I go with a handheld flask with a small pack that attaches to my hand, so I won’t accidentally drop it.  For longer walks—or if I want to bring a little more water—I’ll take a waist pack that holds a water bottle or two.  And for extra-long walks, I’ll go with a vest, which has a pouch to hold a bladder and also plenty of pockets for snacks and/or larger water bottles.

You can spend a lot of money on different hydration options, but you don’t have to.  You can find plenty of affordable options from Sierra or Amazon or Temu.

Sun Protection

“Sun protection” means a bunch of different things.  It means making sure you’re covered in sunscreen before you head out on your walk (and don’t forget the tops of your ears and the back of your neck!).  It also means things like hats and/or sunglasses to protect your head and your eyes from the sun.  These are things that you might not thing about when you head out for a quick walk, but they’re definitely important for keeping you protected.  If you’re a hat person, go for something light and breathable.  If you’re a sunglasses person, you know I love my goodr sunglasses, but anything that’s lightweight and comfortable will do.

If you have these four things covered, you’re ready to go.  Get out there and enjoy your walk—and then keep enjoying it!  And be sure to share your adventures with us along the way!