Best Shoes for Walking In Sand

Walking on sand whether at the beach or other loose sand areas can be quite challenging, and particularly if you are going to be walking longer distances a proper shoe will be required.

Most sandy areas tend to be hot, such as desert areas or the beach, which we normally visit in summertime, so a good sandal or water shoe that is designed for sand walking should easily do the trick.

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Why is Walking in Sand So Difficult?

Well, in reality, it is pretty difficult to walk on any consolidated and loose material, not just sand. Sand is loose because it has much more pose space in between the sand grains, and if pressure is applied to it, and has a tendency to realign itself in order to minimize the porosity.

So Why does it take so much effort to walk on sand? Because half of your pressure energy is stolen by the sand so you have to put in twice as much energy in order to walk on sand. To put it plainly sand is difficult to walk and run on because the shifting solid underneath your feet makes it feel like the earth is moving underneath you.

Because the ground beneath you moves less force is rebounded back towards you which is the opposite with a steady solid surface, and when you push off when walking or running on sand most of the surface area that is supposed to support you get pushed away rather than staying in place, taking away force so you do not get as far.

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Benefits of Walking on Beach Sand

• View – Most sandy areas are usually at a beach, desert or natural setting with is interesting and calming to look at. So, taking a stroll on sand can be a fun and amusing recreational activity.

• Better Exercise – Walking and running on sand takes much more effort, and your muscles and tendons work much harder, which means the exercise routine is much more effective.

• Vitamin D – You can soak up natural Vitamin D from the sun as you walk or run on a sandy beach or area.

• Burns calories –
  

• Cushioning – Running or walking on hard surfaces pounds on your feet knees, back and hips and causes much damaging impact. This is not the case with sand, sand actually cushions the impact and causes less strain on your body and feet.

• Slower Pace – You can walk or run at a much slower pace on sand and still get the same exercise and energy, or calorie burning effect, as the effort is doubled on sand.
  

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Features of a Good Sand Walking Shoe

There are a few things to consider when walking on sand, the first and most important is that in summer sand can get very hot and burn the soles of your feet, secondly sand can slip and cause injuries because it is so uneven.

Here are some features to look for in shoes for walking and running on sand;

• Sandals – Look for a sandal with a rubber outsole that has slight patterns, open upper design that allows sand to fall off, and non-irritating materials that will not chafe.

• Water Shoes – Water and Boat shoes are ideal for walking in water as well as on dry or wet sand, they keep the sand out, have a flexible design and are very lightweight with a thin rubber sole for excellent grip.

• Fisherman’s sandals – The Fisherman’s sandal has a protective closed design with open gaps to allow ventilation and sand or water to escape from the shoe, it likewise has a rubber outsole for good grip and non-irritating upper design, which usually offers an adjustable fit.
  

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Reviews: The Best Shoes for Walking in Sand

These are a few of our top picks in shoes that are ideal for walking in and on sand;

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Index Table: Top Rated Shoes for Walking in Sand