If you're like me, you usually do not use a walking shoe for walking – whether on vacation or for exercise or even at work. Why? Because most walking shoes are too stiff, especially in the forefoot, and they're generally too heavy; the latter makes walking feel more like a chore than a pleasure, especially when one's feet are already sore and achy.
.jpg?t=20130312185252)
I've often wondered why athletic shoe manufacturers do not make a lightweight and extremely flexible walking shoe. Well, it seems that a Korean company, PROSPECS, may have done just that. PROSPECS has been in business in South Korea since 1981, producing athletic equipment, clothing, football shoes, running shoes, tennis shoes and what they call "sport walking" shoes. The PROSPECStors at the company's USA headquarters at Incline Village, Nevada, provided a pair of new walking shoes for me to test.
The PROSPECS Cool Walk 405 shoes weigh just 7.7 ounces in a size 7 and come with an 8.5mm heel-to-toe drop. The men's version comes in a cool color scheme of near-denim blue, accentuated with neon green and white. They're more than a bit reminiscent of the Nike Air Pegasus+ 28 running shoe (the version prior to the current model), which is a plus based on positive comments about the appearance of the Pegasus. However, the Cool Walk has a much straighter form than the Pegasus running shoe. Like the Pegasus, it runs narrow. I was able to fit my narrow feet into the Cool Walk a half-size larger than my normal walking shoe size. Some individuals may have to try a full size larger.
These shoes are clearly well designed and manufactured. No apparent flaws were visible. In use, it holds its own as an all-terrain shoe. On concrete, I felt as if I was wearing a pair of late '80s to early '90s racing flats from Nike or Asics. This translates into an almost "barefoot" feel, something that was a stated goal for PROSPECS. The comfort level increases when walking on a natural trail, and the walk feels surprisingly comfortable on asphalt. If I had to walk a long distance on asphalt, I'd choose these shoes instead of a pair of running shoes.
Article comments
1 - Bonnie @ Prospecs
Thanks Joseph, this is a great review! We appreciate your candid comments and obvious true test of the shoe. I would never have thought to use them as a trail shoe, so it's nice to know they performed well for you! I am a "jogger" and I, too, find they perform well because the heel strike pattern of a jogger is quite different from the strike pattern of a fast runner. So the Prospecs are awesome! We're glad you liked them! www.Prospecs-USA.com