You’ve probably heard the quote: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” A lesser-known translation puts it even better: “A journey begins beneath the feet.” And it’s true: your feet do all the work. It’s worth taking the time to get your footwear right.

Before you buy new kit or sign up for a gym membership, the first thing to do when preparing for a long-distance walk is to find your why. Why do you want to walk a long way? Is it something you’ve always dreamed of achieving? Something to prove to yourself (or maybe others)? A step toward a more active, healthy lifestyle? Or perhaps a way to process or recover from something difficult?

I have not always been a runner or even a walker, and certainly not someone who enjoyed endurance or long distances. I started out in my late thirties in a couch to 5K group, who became a slow runner who entered a few races, who then set herself a few challenges, who fell in love with the trails who met a community of runners who surrounded her with positivity and encouragement, who then decided to combine it all ...