this post was submitted on 10 Jul 2026
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Thank you. I'm debating. I like the Vans cause I like the feel of the ground, but age is a thing.
Trust me, check some other shoes as well. Your knees deserve all the support. And you deserve some pampering, just try one a few pairs. Depending on your region, i'd recommend something like Salomon, Hooka, Brooks, On or Dynafit, all of them gave more casual stuff next to the super sporty things. And then get a pair of Vans as well!
We shall see. I want to hit the store early in the morning and get whatever works for me.
I've been trying to walk a lot more too, as I've found it's better for my mental as well as physical health.
Have gravitated toward "trail" shoes, for a nice mix of padding and being able to feel the ground.
Current pair are these: https://www.newbalance.com/pd/dynasoft-nitrel-v6-gore-tex-/MTNTRGV6-47467.html
I also hate buying shoes (which is its own whole thing), but have found the people in the sports stores also seem to be monumentally less interested in bugging you compared to a shoe store, so can be left in peace to try some things.
Best of luck on the hunt!
(also if I did my maths right, 5 days * 4.5 miles between Jan 2 and today is damn near 1000km / 600mi, so congrats on that!)
FYI Goretex is an awful chemical that is probably best avoided for future shoes
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gore-Tex#Environmental_and_health_concerns
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polytetrafluoroethylene
Or if videos are more your thing: https://youtu.be/-ht7nOaIkpI
I hadn't done the math like that, but dang, that is a lot. Its the best thing to do. I walk, clear my mind, solve problems, talk to myself, be one with my maker, and just have me time. If I don't go, I feel weird. Walking is the best. I highly recommend. My best was to try keep a solid 4 miles in an hour, but that is no longer feasible. I do maybe an hour ten minutes so the whole walk is around one hour twenty minutes if I am struggling.
Once you find a brand and make of shoe that suits your feet, check online for stores that hold previous models. In the UK there's sportsshoes and startfitness. Previous models will be as good (unless you're a competitive athlete), and can be half the price.
If you want to stick with Vans, they make versions of most of their classic shoe styles with a "pop-cush" insole that's pretty springy and adds a lot of shock absorption. I also really like the less structured feel of the classic Vans, but the difference in how my middle aged joints feel with the extra shock absorption is totally worth not being able to feel quite as much of the ground.
@the_abecedarian@piefed.social
Padded shoes are worse for your joints. This is a common misconception from poor studies of 10+ years ago. You're better off with thinner soles to build bone density and strengthen tendons.
That being said, better shoes are still a thing. Shoes made for walking and running, like zero drop Altras, may be a good transition from the Vans.
In any event, congrats on the extra years of life!
I had vans slipons. Love em But my back doesn't. Walking a lot in them really makes you feel the impacts.
If you don't want walking or running shoes, proper skate vans have better cushioning