Reshod shoes for faster walking

January 27, 5:45 AMPortland Walking ExaminerWendy Bumgardner

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Portland Walking Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Carmen Jackinsky of
Reshod Walking Shoes

Carmen Jackinsky wasn't satisfied with her shoes for racewalking.  She began to tinker with them and modify them until they would help her walk faster and more efficiently.  The result was a patented rocker sole that uses teeter-totter action to help the walking foot roll through a step from heel to toe.

Carmen now owns Reshod Walking Shoes and modifies customer shoes with her patented rocker sole and other custom elements for a perfect fit.  Her customers send her their favorite shoe.  Her cobbler removes the original sole and replaces it with the Reshod rocker sole.  Carmen works with her customers to ensure they get a good fit and their shoes work with any orthotics or shoe inserts that they need.

Reshod shoe top, original on bottom

Rocker soles have many advantages for walkers.  A common walking mistake is to wear stiff shoes and be unable to roll through a step from heel to toe.  Flexible athletic shoes solve that problem, but they do so by flexing in the forefoot, which can put pressure on the bunion area and cause pain.  The Reshod sole provide a stable, low heel for a firm heel plant, then a teeter-totter action to ratchet the foot forward through the step.  The shoe doesn't have to flex at the forefoot, and provides a stable platform for a good push-off with the toe.

Walkers feel the difference immediately in their calves, thighs, and buttocks.  The shoes enforce using all of the walking muscles for a powerful stride.  Fitness walkers can walk faster and racewalkers have an edge in competition.

Reshod sole left, original sole right

I had a pair of my favorite walking shoes, the New Balance 825, turned into Reshod Walking Shoes.  I was very pleased that the rocker sole was as lightweight and thin as the original sole.  The shoes still had the great fit I need to combat bunion pain.  But I could tell the difference as soon as I started walking.  The rocker sole action forced me to stop being a lazy, flat-footed walker and use the muscles of my calves, thighs and buttocks to walk.  Proper walking form will lead to faster speed and better body mechanics for walking.  I am very pleased with the Reshod Walking Shoes.

Carmen Jackinsky has many years of experience in the athletic shoe industry in the Portland area, including supervising the fit and wear testing department of a local athletic shoe company.  As a racewalker, she builds shoes that are appropriate for fitness walkers as well as competitors.  Carmen is a longtime member and current president of the Racewalkers Northwest club.