Walking is one of the easiest ways to be more active. Sometimes overlooked as a form of exercise, walking briskly can help you build stamina, burn excess calories and make your heart healthier.
You don't have to walk for hours. A brisk 10-minute daily walk has lots of health benefits and counts towards your recommended 150 minutes of weekly exercise.
Cosyfeet’s Stanley shoe is 100% waterproof and is ideal for walking
A joint report by the Ramblers and Macmillan Cancer Support in 2012 concluded that walking could transform people's health by decreasing the odds of heart problems and stroke as well as making a difference in conditions such as type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's and many cancers.
In some cases, walking can be more effective than running. Scientists at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California found that brisk walking reduces the risk of heart disease more effectively than running. They observed participants aged between 18 and 80 over a six-year period and found that walking reduced the risk of heart disease by 9.3%, while running reduced it by 4.5%.
And there's even more good news: 30 minutes of brisk walking over five days could help you sleep better, according to research by Oregon State University. Their study showed that walking helped participants sleep better and feel more alert during the day.
Regular walking can also help you to:
- Burn calories and increase your metabolism
- Improve your heart rate and blood pressure
- Improve your mood and help you feel brighter
Get yourself kitted out
Ideal for walking, whatever the weather, our CosyTex™ boots and wide fit shoes for men and women are 100% waterproof so your feet stay warm and dry. Specially designed to fit swollen feet, their cleated soles offer good grip underfoot and are shock-absorbing which helps take the pressure off your joints. To complete your comfort, team them with our Wool‑rich Softhold® Seam‑free Cushioned Sole Socks. Made with a high percentage of soft Merino wool, they have a cushioned sole, toe and heel for extra comfort and are naturally breathable to keep feet fresh and dry.
If you need some extra cushioning under your feet when you walk, try our Shock-absorbing CosyCushion™ Insoles. They’re made from a special material which reduces impact on your feet and legs and helps prevent ‘step-shock’ which can cause tired feet, a bad back and even headaches. They’re only 3mm thick so they fit into most boots and shoes and have the added benefit of being antibacterial to keep your footwear smelling fresh.
If your feet and legs are weary after all that walking, why not treat them to some well-deserved pampering with our Botanical Foot Soak. It contains B5 (a renowned moisturiser and skin softener), Tea Tree Oil (for its antiseptic properties), Lavender Oil (to cleanse and soothe) and Geranium Oil (for its soothing effect on all skin types). Extracts of Calendula, Sunflower and Rosemary combine to give it further cleansing and moisturising benefits.
We have something for everyone in our Walking & Exercise collection.