There are many aspects of a shoe that can determine whether it will be comfortable for walking. Most people simply slip it on while in a shoe store and perhaps spend a minute walking back and forth on the carpeted floor. They may guess how the shoe will feel with a different pair of socks, or how much the shoe may "give", but this is the extent of analyzing the shoe's comfort.

However, the majority of shoppers reject many shoes without even trying them on. They may decide that the heel is too high, the material isn't appropriate, or the toes are too pointy. These choices are usually correct; folks often reject styles that aren't visually appealing -when in fact, shoes frequently look differently on feet than in a shoe box! It takes self-education to find the best walking shoe for one's needs to realize long-term satisfaction with the purchase. Mephisto Shoes wants shoppers to have a basic understanding of what to look for in shoe construction and features. As proud designers of quality walking shoes, they believe that those who are seriously interested in walking should have seriously comfortable footwear! First, the old rule of utilizing natural fabrics holds true for shoes as well as clothing: plastic or vinyl can't offer the response to sweat and temperature like canvas or leather, and can abrade skin after awhile. However, some synthetics do a good job of providing durability, and several "wonder" materials provide excellent shock absorption. Some linings (such as Gore-tex) allow for outstanding heat conduction, moisture protection (both from inside and outside) and "breathability". These features allow a walker to cover a great distance before experiencing any sense of burning soles or clamminess, which can quite annoying, if not actually uncomfortable.

Second, shoes with a construction geared towards flexibility often can make walking feet feel as cradled and cushioned as tennis shoes or moccasins when new, but soon become stretched out. This leaves the user with the disconcerting feeling his feet are slipping around. Although the fit may change only a half inch or so, it may be enough to form painful calluses and bunions. Mephisto shoes make excellent use of every resource in the industry to keep this from happening to their products. Their styles utilize padding, elastication, supports, reinforcements; goring and ventilation …all which help the shoe conform to the shape of an individual's foot, without becoming too soft.

The next requirement the buyer should consider is where his walking will be taking him. It's obvious that the terrain of an indoor mall differs from a street, which differs from an outdoor trail, so it's clear that different types of shoes are needed. No matter how well made a shoe may be, if it's not suited for the walking environment, it may not be totally comfortable. (For example, a low-cut, lightweight sneaker wouldn't offer ease of walking on uneven forest ground like a sturdy hiking boot would, especially a style with toe caps and appropriate soles or heels.) Worrying about slips and injuries due to improper shoes can definitely lower the comfort level of any walker.

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