I walked 3 miles a day, about 1,000 miles a year, before the pandemic. For me, two things are important for walking:
1. Environment - I need a quiet & safe path. You can find this in most cities with enough trial & error. Try different streets at different times. You will eventually find a way to walk wherever you want, whenever you want, without much traffic noise or street-crossing risk.
2. Equipment - Great shoes, better socks, water, and protection from wind, sun, cold, and rain. Here's what works for me:
- Darn Tough Hiker Boot Sock Full Cushion, https://darntough.com/collections/mens-hike-trek/products/bo... . You can get 6-packs on Amazon for $20/pair. My pairs last me about 750 miles, far longer than all the other socks I've tried.
- Columbia Men’s Newton Ridge Plus II Waterproof Hiking Boot - Wide, https://www.columbia.com/p/mens-newton-ridge-wide-1594732.ht... . This is a waterproof sneaker with ankle protection and grippy tread. The shoes are flat on the inside, great for walking not running. I've gone through six pairs. They last me about 750 miles each. I went most of my life wearing shoes that were too narrow. Walking suddenly became comfortable when I got wide enough shoes.
- Thermos Intak 24 bottle, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002VJX4C4 . I own 8 of these, grab a clean one each day, and wash them in the dishwasher. You can remove the ring seal with a fork. You can order replacement parts from Thermos customer service.
- Tortuga Outbreaker Daypack, https://www.tortugabackpacks.com/products/outbreaker-travel-... . The side mesh pockets are perfect.
- Tilley LTM6 Airflow hat, https://www.tilley.com/us_en/ltm6-airflo-hat.html . Super durable, floats, non-adsorbent, ventilated, lightweight. I've crammed this in my backpack nearly every day for 3 years and it still looks nice. Walking takes time, so you will get more UV exposure. Protect your skin to avoid looking old.
- Patagonia Torrentshell rain jacket. It's light weight. It blocks the wind and rain. It rolls up to a small package. Mine is wearing out after 3 years. It fits well in an Eagle Creek Pack-It Spectre "Sac" medium. Get a bright color to reduce evening street-crossing risk.
- Uniqlo merino sweaters. Soft, warm, light weight, don't pill, and last forever. I wash mine in a front-loading washer, on the delicate warm cycle, with standard detergent, and hang them up to dry. I own 4. The oldest has been worn about 100 times, washed about 10 times, and still looks great.
- Cheap synthetic beanie hat. This can warm you as much as a sweater. Buy a bunch so you always have a clean one, and have extras for friends.
Happy walking! :)