Walking FAQs

Health benefits:

Is walking good for you?

Yes! Walking is a very easy, and free, way to get regular exercise into your routine – and the health benefits of regular exercise are immense. Walking can help you lose weight and reduce the risk of serious illnesses relating to weight, while the calming effects of walking are also proven to improve mental health. The best thing about walking for exercise is that you can do it any time, any place – whether you're walking to and from work, going for a casual stroll with friends or taking time out of your day to walk in the fresh air on your own, you will certainly feel the benefits.

Can you lose weight by walking?

Many health organisations recommend at least 150 minutes of exercise per week, and walking contributes towards this. If you're wanting to lose weight, you should increase your walking to this level and beyond, as walking burns calories, assisting in losing weight. It is also important to maintain a balanced and healthy diet whilst increasing exercise, to ensure you lose weight healthily and give your body everything it needs to function. Put simply, yes, you can lose weight just by walking!

Why is walking good for your mental health?

Walking in the outdoors is scientifically proven to help your mental health. At a very basic level, walking can put you in a more positive mood, improve your mental-alertness and increase your energy. Additionally, walking is proven to reduce and relieve stress - research has shown that active adults are also far less likely to experience stress. Walking can have a similar effect in reducing the symptoms of anxiety and depression, too. Finally, all forms of exercise, including walking, will help you to lose weight and so improve the self-esteem issues that often come with weight gain.

Can walking reduce belly fat?

Walking is a form of low intensity exercise, especially when compared to running and cycling, but just walking can reduce belly fat - walking burns fat and burns calories. Having less fat in your body has many health benefits and significantly reduces your chance of suffering from illnesses like diabetes and coronary heart diseases. Any form of exercise, including walking, will burn fat, reduce belly fat and improve your physical health.

How many calories does walking burn?

How many calories you burn while walking depends on your speed, weight and fitness level, but a good estimate is that 30 minutes of walking can burn between 100 and 200 calories. Of course, the faster you walk and the further you walk, the more calories you will burn.

Time and distance:

How Long Does it Take to Walk a Mile?

How long it will take you to walk a mile varies by person, but a rough estimate is that it takes between 15 and 22 minutes to walk a mile. The average walking pace is between 2.5mph and 4mph, depending on your fitness, size and various other factors. If you're just getting into walking, it is likely it will take you around 20 minutes to walk a mile, but as you walk more and become fitter, that time will reduce, and you will also feel able to walk further.

How Long Does it Take to Walk 10,000 Steps?

You will often see that a target of 10,000 steps per day is a great way to improve and maintain your fitness, but the length of time and distance it will take to achieve that can vary dependant on stride length, speed and size. The average stride length is between 2.1 feet and 2.5 feet and, with those measurements in mind, 10,000 steps is around 5 miles of walking. As we have earlier established, a mile can take between 15 and 22 minutes to walk, so it is a likely a beginner will take an hour and 40 minutes to walk 10,000 steps and a more experienced walker could finish 10,000 steps in around an hour and 15 minutes.

How Many Miles Should you Walk a Day?

There are various different suggestions for how many miles you should walk a day to stay fit, but the most common is around 5 miles and that's why you often see people attempting to get to the rough step equivalent – 10,000 steps. According to data, the average adult walks between 1.5 miles and 2 miles per day, so the jump up to 5 miles a day can be quite daunting. We recommend building up your walking in increments until you find walking 5 miles or 10,000 steps relatively easy.

What is the Average Walking Speed?

The average walking speed is between 2.5mph and 4mph, dependant on your stride length, weight and level of fitness. This can vary between men and women, but the fitter and lighter you are, the faster your average walking pace is likely to be. Walking beginners are likely to be walking at between 2.5mph and 3mph, but that speed will increase as you walk more often and further.

Walking shoes and boots:

Which are the best walking shoes for me?

There's no definitive answer as everybody's needs are different. That being said, generally the best walking shoes are walking shoes that offer high levels of support and cushioning, as they help to reduce the chance of injuries to the feet, ankles and lower legs. Cushioning is essential as it lessens impact on your feet, while high support will help keep your foot in the right place and at the right angle, so you don't suffer with injuries. Put simply, the biggest thing to look for when choosing your walking shoes or boots is comfort. Browse our extensive outdoor footwear range to find the ideal walking footwear for your needs.

Are walking shoes or walking boots better?

On long hikes, walking boots will provide more protection and more support, which your feet and ankles will need over a long distance and any tough terrain. Walking boots hold your feet and ankles in place more securely, but they are heavier than walking shoes. Walking shoes are best for walking on easier trails and footpaths. The reduced weight will allow you to walk faster. For a wide selection of both walking boots and walking shoes, check out our outdoor footwear range.

Are walking shoes better than trainers?

For walking and hiking, walking shoes provide extra support, cushioning and grip. Walking shoes protect your feet from injury and keep them feeling comfortable for much longer. Trainers are adequate for everyday walking and sports training, but if you are planning to do a lot of walking and hiking, you will need a proper pair of walking shoes or boots – lots of which can be found here.

Are walking boots waterproof?

Some walking boots, and shoes, are waterproof, some are not. If you are going to be trekking through streams and in wet weather, waterproof walking boots are an absolute must. Always check the product description when buying your walking boots to ensure they are waterproof and will keep your feet dry. For expert waterproof walking boots, look no further than our extensive collection.

What should I look for in a walking boot?

What you need from a pair of walking boots depends on what type of walking you are planning to do. For instance, if you're planning on trekking across rocky terrain then you need some heavier walking boots with the most support and protection available. If you're not put off by wet weather, you certainly need some waterproof walking boots. Generally though, the number one thing to consider when choosing walking boots is comfort. Find lots comfy walking shoes in our outdoor footwear range.

How often should I replace my walking boots?

Although the condition and lifespan of walking boots is very dependent on factors including terrain, weather conditions, walking speed and distance, there are a number of signs to look out for that will tell you when to replace your walking boots or walking shoes. Make note if you start to experience pain during or after wearing your boots (aches, blisters, lower leg pain, back pain) - this may be a sign that your footwear is worn and are no longer giving you the support, stability and comfort they once were. You can also notice aesthetic changes that suggest your boots are worn, or you may even realise you're getting wet feet. Luckily, you can pick up your new walking boots right here in our outdoor footwear range.

How should walking boots fit?

As a simple rule of thumb, your walking boots should fit snuggly around your heel and the mid-section of your foot, but with a little room around your toes. We recommend leaving about a finger's width of space between your toes and the end of the boot – enough so that they can move around freely. It's really important to ensure your walking boots are not too tight around any part of the foot, but equally you don't want any room around the heel counter. Don't forget you could add an insole to get a slightly snugger fit or improve the underfoot cushioning of your walking boots. Our walking boots range will have a pair to perfectly fit your needs.

Are walking poles worth it?

Walking poles are certainly a valuable hiking companion if you are planning on taking regular walks or have an especially steep climb. Hiking sticks particularly come into their own when hiking in wet weather or across rugged terrain, as they help you maintain stability and balance. Additionally, trekking poles will assist you in maintaining a consistent walking rhythm throughout your hike, as well as reducing the amount of stress on key joints and muscles in the legs and lower back. If you come to a steep incline or decline, hiking poles can also be used as an anchor point to keep you moving in the right direction. Pick up a pair of hiking/trekking poles from our walking poles section and feel the benefit.