--By Kim Moshtaghi
With warm weather just around the corner, it’s time to throw away your old sneakers and replace them with a brand new pair. Sneaker shopping can be very overwhelming, but it needs to be done! With many choices in different sporting arenas it is easy to get discouraged… and get the wrong pair, making your whole body more achy than usual. Although I have found 3 sneakers that are great for walking, running and the gym, keep in mind that everyone has different arches and different feet. So, please remember this when making your purchase. I based my recommendations on stability, flexibility, whether the shoe is breathable and whether the shoe is lightweight.
The first pair of sneakers I recommend was also awarded best shoes by Shape Magazine in 2008. These
Saucony ProGrid Ride sneakers are known to be very comfortable and have an excellent fit with maximum flexibility. I have narrow feet, so I’m not sure these would be the best for ladies with wide feet. But, the cushioning makes these shoes a great choice for avid walkers and people who jog a few days a week. I definitely wouldn’t recommend these for marathon runners, but rather for moderate exercising. The durability allows you to go far with no discomfort.
The next pair is also made by Saucony. These
Grid Sinister sneakers didn’t win an award (yet), but I love the lightweight feel of these shoes and how the shoe naturally propels you onto the forefoot. This is a great jogging shoe. They have great cushioning and a great fit, which helps with stability during a jog. The soles are an extra perk for me, preventing me from slipping onto the rocks when I hike. Besides being a smart and dependable purchase, I love the looks and color options on these shoes. It’s always nice to get ready for a workout and like the gear you have on.
Lastly, I have found the perfect sneakers for runners. These Nikes have an awesome reputation when it comes to enhancing durability and spring. The
Nike Shox Navina running shoes are known to be for people “who want to measure and monitor their progress toward their goals,” according to Nike’s site. The “shox” are a great cushion and impact protection from all surfaces, protecting not only your knees, but your whole body. These shoes are designed with highly resilient foam to be energy efficient and effective without draining with your knees with the extra impact, and have the cushioning to optimize comfort and your workout. The neatest thing about Nike’s website is that you can design your own shoes, and order them according to your foot type, which really personalizes them and gives you extra comfort.
I know I only covered general sneakers, and didn’t get into specific sports, but this should be enough for the average gal to get started on picking out a new pair of sneakers. When it comes to exercising there is limited advice I can give in one page. So, get yourself motivated and buy some new sneakers that fit your lifestyle and I’ll guarantee you will be one step closer to a better body!
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Kim Moshtaghi is a contributing writer for Adventures in the Stiletto Jungle. Born in Germany, Kim is currently based in sunny Del Mar, California, where she also serves as Stiletto Jungle's Director of Sales and Promotions. Kim has a communications degree, a third degree black belt, and a totally covetable Gucci handbag collection.
