If you haven’t been traveling, you might underestimate how long you will be walking when you explore another country. Most people would easily walk over 20,000 steps a day when they travel in Japan. So, unless your itinerary is filled with cafes and restaurants, a good pair of walking or even hiking shoes is essential to ensure your trip is pleasant.
The Benefits of Wearing a Good Pair of Walking Shoes
When you travel, the last thing you want is foot and ankle pain or even blisters resulting from long walks. Thus, a good pair of footwear that supports arches and heels is important to reduce stress and cushion your feet and knees. The shoes will also absorb shocks in the heel and under the ball of your feet.
Factors to Be Considered When Choosing Your Walking Shoes
- Fit: No matter how well the shoes are made for comfort and durability, they have to be a good fit for your feet for you to get the maximum benefits.
- When wearing shoes, a good fit means a finger’s width should be between the heel and the end of the shoe. Ensure you can wiggle your toes, too.
- If your feet feel cramped or bulge over the sides of the shoes, consider getting a pair of wide-fitting shoes.
- Ensure the shoes are suitable for your orthopaedic needs and foot shape.
- Arch support: Understand your arch type. The shoes and the insoles need to match it.
- Cushion: Only the toe area should bend when the shoe is pushed up on the forefoot area. The arch shouldn’t bend. Moreover, wear it to see if your feet feel supportive.
- Traction: The shoes should grip the surface properly.
- Take terrain into account: Road shoes have cushioning designed to absorb shock from the harsh surface and durable rubber to withstand abrasion. Trail shoes have lugs on the outsole to add traction on uneven surfaces.
- Check for removable insoles: A great feature if you want to add custom orthotic insoles into a shoe.
The Top Three Walking Shoes to Wear While Exploring Japan
Here are the brands we go for when we need another pair of good walking shoes. Many of them are recommended by orthopaedic surgeons. Our feet would still be fine after walking for 8 hours during the day. We have also tried them on rainy days and rough pavements.
In addition to the brands we will discuss in more detail below, here are a couple more that are the go-to for hiking and long walks.
- Merrell has great heavy-duty shoes albeit usually heavier. The company is good at making well-padded walking and hiking boots/shoes and offers wide-fit shoes.
- Keen offers great all-rounder shoes that are great for long walks.
- Allbirds are great for casual walking shoes.
- On is most known for its CloudTec cushioning, made with lightweight EVA foam.
- We especially recommend the On Cloud series for everyday walking and running.
- Frankie4s offers comfortable and stylish women’s footwear that is good for their feet (i.e. prevent and relieve heel, arch, and forefoot pain, as well as plantar fasciitis).
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Hoka
Exceptional Cushioning That Appeals to a Wide Range of Foot Types and Ages, Lightweight, Superior Support, Slip-Resistant, and Design Variety
Hoka is the brand we often opt for for long trails. The shoes are exceptionally lightweight, albeit with plush cushioning. But this doesn’t mean the shoes’ stability is compromised. In fact, Hoka shoes provide remarkable shock absorption, reducing the strain on the feet and joints. So, your feet are well-supported even while walking on uneven surfaces.
Moreover, the brand offers a variety of designs that cater to a wide range of preferences, allowing you to express individual styles in comfort.
While founded in 2009 in France, Hoka is a leading shoe brand recognized by the American Podiatric Medical Association. The company’s products have been reviewed by APMA’s podiatrists to ensure they promote foot health. Engineered to provide superior support for your feet, most people find Hoka’s shoes comfortable to wear for long walks.
If you work in the front line of the healthcare industry, you might also want to get a pair of Hoka. The brand is loved by nurses and clinical staff whose work requires physical strength and endurance. Hoka’s comfortable shoes will reduce fatigue from long shifts on foot.
Hoka Arahi Series: Long runs and Flatter feet
If you need a pair of shoes with extra stability, consider getting Hoka Arahi.
The shoe’s firm foam would wrap around your heel and line the medial side of the shoe. The feature creates additional support when you land. Hoka Arahi is great for those who have flatter feet.
Hoka Bondi Series: Superior cushioned, High-arch support, and Good for wide feet
The Bondi series is known for its comfortability. If you have high arches, the Bondi 8 would be perfect for you because of the softer foam footbed and increased stack height. The shoe is also great for those who suffer from conditions like metatarsalgia and those who have lost the fat pad on their foot.
Most people found the Bondi 8 extremely cosy to wear. You can expect zero discomforts from the very beginning. Chafing, blisters, or sore spots would be a very unlikely experience with the Hoka Bondi 8. Because of its shock-absorbing cushion, your feet wouldn’t be tired after a long day walking. Even your knees are protected, too!
The best news is the shoe is designed to prevent your feet from getting too hot!
Hoka Clifton Series: Long walks
For a pair of neutral running shoes, go with the Hoka Clifton. The Clifton is lightweight. That said, it offers great cushioning and support with its Achilles heel tab, lighter, more responsive midsole, and extended heel crash pad. These features allow you to walk longer without knee or hip pain. The shoe’s shock absorption feature means your steps are smoother.
Compared to Hoka Bondi, the Clifton is lighter and has a lower stack height. It is also more flexible and suitable for long and easy runs.
Brooks
Outstanding Breathability, Wider Range of Widths, Relatively Inexpensive, Excellent Stability
The best choice for those with flat feet needing extra stability and support is Brooks. It is another brand recommended by Podiatrists. The shoemaker also has a wider range of widths. With narrow, wide, and extra-wide shoes on offer, the brand is also recommended for those who find regular-sized shoes uncomfortable. But note the Brooks tend to have a narrower toe box. So, if you have a wide foot or toe deformity, try the shoes first to find out which width suits your feet better.
Brooks usually has a more traditional look than Hoka. But don’t be deceived by their ordinary look. Brooks is one of the top biomechanical shoes you could come across. Some even said they feel like a part of them when worn.
Brooks Adrenaline Series: Flat feet
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 will save your life if you have flat feet. The shoe is equipped with outstanding polyvalences, such as the thicker and wider cushion designed to maximize stability to ensure flat-footers the impact of landing is evenly dispersed. Furthermore, sizable ventilation holes throughout the upper side of the shoe mean your feet can breathe properly even on a hot summer day.
However, just note Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 isn’t ideal for forefoot strikers as the forefoot cushioning is less than the average for running.
Brooks Ghost Series: Do-it-all shoe
Brooks’ Ghost series is loved by Brooks fans because of the exceptional support and stability the shoe provides. It is a great choice for those who have a neutral arch and neither overpronate nor supinate. You are unlikely to get blisters or foot pain from wearing it.
The series is known for neutral support, breathability, a soft midsole, and a segmented crash pad for smooth running transitions. Thus, many people wear Brooks Ghost for workouts and long-distance walking. It is also good for recovery runs.
Note the series is optimal for heel strikers. This means it probably isn’t ideal for mid-to-forefoot strikers as the forefoot cushioning is less than the average for running.
Brooks Glycerin Series: Corrective shoes and Long runs
Consider the Glycerin series for a pair of extremely comfortable shoes that can push the limits over long distances. The Glycerin provides a truly adaptable fit but has plenty of room in the toe box. The long lacing helps keep the foot securely in place with the ankle locked properly. The outsole offers incredible grip on wet floors and light trail paths.
For extra comfort, go with the Glycerin Stealthfit. It would be like stepping on a mattress, and the shoe is a part of your foot. The shoe would gently nudge your foot into the right position. Instead of a feeling of wearing shoes, the upper would feel more like wearing socks. The heel padding ensures your heels are wrapped comfortably. Its airiness is a lifesaver in summer. In addition, it has a heel and ankle tab, so putting on the Glycerin Stealthfit is a breeze! Moreover, the Glycerin feels lighter and more plush than the Ghost series.
Note that the sock-like upper doesn’t fit everyone. If the shoe is too tight or loose, go for the standard Glycerin.
Salomon
Exceptional Durability, Lightweight, Grip, Long Hikes, and Gore-Tex
Salomon is another brand we love for walking shoes and trails that are good through rainy days, long walks, and rough pavements. Many experienced backpackers love Salomon because of its comfortability. Many of Salomon’s trail shoes are designed for rocky and mountainous terrain and provide plenty of cushioning.
Furthermore, it is another brand recommended by those working in the physical therapy field.
But if you have a wide foot, remember to go with their wider-width model, as Salomon’s fit can be narrow, depending on the series.
Salomon Speedcross series: Exceptional traction, supportive with arch support and wide shoe box
The Speedcross series is one of Salomon’s top-sellers. The Speedcross 6 is known for its arch support feature and is great for wide feet. The shoes are lightweight and comfortable to wear, making them the perfect shoes for everyday life or running on trails. These shoes have a sticky grip that you can wear on rough surfaces. Your steps are grounded when walking through mud and creek.
You will be impressed by the Speedcross 6 dirt and rocks prevention design. Its lugs are spread widely apart, so the shoes won’t pick up much mud and debris. The anti-debris mesh used to make the upper also help prevent dirt and rocks from getting in. Moreover, unlike typical trail shoes, Speedcross 6’s midsole provides responsive cushioning and energy return.
Like many other Salomon shoes, the Speedcross 6 has a Quicklace system that easily fits your foot into the shoe. The laces won’t come your way when kept in the lace pocket.
Just note while the Speedcross 6 is great in cold weather, you won’t want to wear it on a hot summer day. The shoe’s breathability isn’t its strength. Furthermore, these shoes won’t suit midfoot to forefoot strikers.
Salomon X Ultra series: Supportive shoe for backcountry hiking adventures
If you plan to hike during your trip, consider getting a pair of shoes from Salomon X Ultra series. The series is one of the top favorite among hikers. The X Ultra provides an outstanding combination of comfort, on-trail performance, and durability for various purposes. The shoe’s high stability and support that can handle moderate to challenging terrain. It has proper underfoot support, durable traction, and usually fits comfortably. Those with a high arch could find these shoes comfortable to wear as well.
Salomon X Ultra 4 Gore-Tex is probably the most popular shoe in the X Ultra series, especially for more rigorous terrain. You will find the traction the Salomon X Ultra 4 Gore-Tex provides incredible. The outer lugs can bite into loose terrain, and the soft rubber handles the rocky surface well. Thanks to the ADV-C chassis, you will have a strong base when walking on uneven, loose, or slippery terrain. With so many functions, the weight is surprisingly light, albeit not the lightest in the lineup.
You might think the Gore-tex feature means the foot can get hot and have a wet foot stuck in the shoe. However, this assumption isn’t true based on many’s feedback.
The drawback is the width remains narrower than other models. Also, try not to wear low-cut socks. The extended heel tab can rub.
Salomon Genesis series: Good for short to medium walks/runs
The series is best known for its versatility. Genesis’s 4.5mm lugs grip and transition well on many surfaces. These shoes can handle snow and thick mud terrain. Compared to many other Salomon’s models, the shoe’s Energy Foam is lighter and softer, and more accommodating. With 4.5mm lugs, these shoes grip on all surfaces, even on snow and ice. In addition, these shoes have a feature to protect your toes from bumping into hard surfaces. It also has a quick lace system. The quick lace will secure your foot into the right position without much effort.
If you have a wider foot that doesn’t fit Salomon’s narrower models, you might find the Genesis fits well as it is roomier. It has wide room through the midfoot and heel. However, if your forefoot needs more space, try the Genesis on before purchasing.
The last thing to note is that some found the Genesis pinchy at the toe box. So try the shoes on and walk downhill to see if your toes scrunch.
Planning Your Next Japan Trip?
Japan, where traditions, culture, and history meet with the most advanced technology and modern conveniences, also has the most picturesque landscapes! It is no wonder why Japan has been voted one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world!
So if you are planning to travel to this beautiful country, refer to our article, Plan Your Next Japan Trip – When and Where to Start, for some helpful information, advice, and tips to keep in mind when planning your visit.
