Eager’s ‘Curved’ Strolling Footwear Are a Delight for Toes

Not-so-fun reality: You are most likely carrying the mistaken strolling footwear. Whereas over half of Individuals are strolling between 1-5 miles extra every day than they have been pre-pandemic (thanks, Sizzling Lady Walks!), almost 70 % are doing so whereas carrying ill-fitting footwear, apparently. This is not best: be it from incorrect sizing or improper help, strolling within the mistaken sneaks could cause a litany of foot well being points. Plus, it could simply really feel actually uncomfortable.

Which is why we’re *eager* on Eager’s new strolling footwear, the colourful WK400 Strolling Footwear ($165). The legacy outside footwear model that podiatrists advocate for climbing and recreation simply made its debut within the strolling class with sneakers which are—get this— good on your toes. It took three years, 10,000+ hours of R&D, and 5,000 miles, however the Eager WK400 sneakers are right here and we’re already large followers. So are podiatrists, because of the footwear’ distinctive, curved design that propels you ahead with each step, making strolling really feel extra like rolling.

“The curved design can act as a rocker-bottom which assists in ambulation,” explains Bruce Pinker, DPM, a foot and ankle surgeon in Nanuet, New York. Wanting on the WK400 Strolling Footwear, he says the rounded outsole helps propel the foot, making it simpler to stroll ahead. “This curved design is paying homage to the MBT footwear, popularized over a decade in the past, which had a number of therapeutic qualities.”

Shoe design

As Dr. Pinker mentions, this “rocker outsole” has been round for greater than a decade and has lately been adopted in lots of latest walking-specific designs (assume: Hoka’s Bondi 8 and Asics’ Walkride FF) because of its results on the strolling movement. Eager’s know-how—aptly named the Eager.Curve™—follows the pure curve of the foot mid-stroll, swapping a flattened outsole for an arced one. Mixed with a high-rebound, cushion-y midsole and a propulsion-based plate, the WK400 strolling footwear give wearers momentum as they stroll, taking stress off the foot and joints (aka, what a correct strolling shoe ought to do). “This could probably be useful for a lot of walkers, particularly for many who expertise widespread foot illnesses, resembling plantar fasciitis, arthritis, and metatarsalgia,” says Dr. Pinker.

The MK400s are chock stuffed with different options podiatrists say to search for in a supportive strolling shoe. Samantha Landau, DPM, MPH, medical teacher and doctor and the New York Faculty of Podiatric Medication, says that the Eager’s sneakers have a formidable outsole, which is constituted of a high-traction, all-terrain rubber for grip on all types of surfaces. The athletic match is supportive and contoured, stabilized by the addition of offset lacing (which additionally takes stress off the highest of your foot).

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“Typically, strolling shoe ought to have a stiff counter across the heel, minimal torque, and bend solely on the forefoot,” Dr. Landau says. “I’d keep away from ‘delicate’ footwear and footwear that bend on the midfoot versus the forefoot, as this gives much less stability to the shoe.

It is clear that Eager has poured their blood, sweat, and tears into making a purposeful strolling shoe—however does it maintain up? After testing the MK400s for greater than two months, it is a resounding “sure” from me.

My expertise carrying the Eager WK400s

Eager was variety sufficient to ship me a my very own pair of WK400s for testing, and at first look, I had large doubts. Out of the 4 girls’s colorways, I acquired the brilliant yellow/black combo which I used to be hesitant to lace up. The yellow is loud. Rather a lot louder than the black, delicate fawn/peach whip (a lightweight pink) and crisp vapor/azure blue (white) shade choices.

Coloration apart, I might inform these have been going to present me severe raise. This was the primary walking-specific shoe I had in my quiver, and in comparison with my different flat-soled sneakers—most of which have been designed for operating and understanding on the gymnasium—I might inform the curved, rocker backside and thick, mattress-like outsole was going to be a welcomed improve.

On my toes, the Eager.Curve™ makes a large completely different in sustaining momentum. Whether or not I am strolling round my neighborhood, across the lake, or on close by trails, the power return is important and, in comparison with my different sneaks, makes strolling a lot simpler. These footwear actually put a spring in my step, simulating the feeling of a fluid roll against a staggered, disjointed step. I like the how comfortable the soles are, particularly in opposition to laborious surfaces like pavement and sidewalk. I additionally love how grippy the outsoles are. I reside in Lake Placid, NY which is regularly coated in snow and ice. The high-traction soles are secure in slick, slippery circumstances (sure, even black ice, which I’ve gingerly strolled over after an in a single day freeze). On nowadays, I simply put on a thicker sock. (The WK400 Strolling Footwear aren’t insulated.)

As for the higher, I discover the “athletic match” to be snug and contoured to my toes. The offset lacing (which is a footwear function I’ve by no means come throughout as a commerce editor) appears to present my slender toes higher help than conventional laces.  I additionally love the two-finger loop pull behind the heel since they’re a bit tighter and require a bit extra oomph to get on.

I do discover the stacked heel can be just a little a lot at time, particularly when strolling up or down steep inclines. I do not ever run in them—that is most likely a recipe for catastrophe. You should not both—Dr. Landau mentions that the destructive heel might probably trigger instability, particularly if heel strike will not be exact. “The upper one is off the bottom, the more durable one can fall if there’s unsteadiness or an uneven floor,” she says. “Forefoot rockers are nice for arthritis or ligamentous accidents. The destructive heel, or rearfoot rocker, can probably result in unsteadiness.” Moreover, the low ankle is considered a bit minimalistic, too. As somebody who severely over-pronates, I like my footwear to have a excessive, sturdy ankle collar. The WK400s are positively on the low facet, which is one thing to bear in mind when you additionally want one thing extra supportive.

However as my first-ever pair of strolling footwear, I get why walking-specific footwear—the best ones, at that—are such a factor now. (And absolutely personal that I have been within the 70 % strolling within the mistaken pair group this complete time.) The bouncy, energy-return of those sneaks makes strolling so enjoyable and fewer tiring than any of my different footwear. It is taking me a bit to get used to the brilliant, bumblebee yellow, however in any other case, the Eager WK400 Strolling Footwear make strolling a delight, the way in which it must be.