...to ask your opinions on a ‘walking commute’.

[LemonsLemonsLemonsLemons]

Background: new job, terrible public transport to new workplace. Scared to cycle, and can’t drive.

I need to be at my new work place fairly early each day (before 8). I figured it would be around a 45 minute walk door to door at a leisurely pace. Is there anyone out there who does a regular daily walking commute? Would 45 minutes of walking early every morning be miserable or invigorating?! And then of course 45 mins home again at the end of the day.

I’m curious to hear other experiences, and maybe tips from anyone who does a walking commute.

It's fine in summer but prepare for it to be grim in the winter months. Walking to/from work in the dark, cold, wind and rain is no fun and gets boring pretty quickly.

Make sure you have waterproof shoes, trousers and long jacket - especially on your way in. You don't want to spend the day with cold, damp feet!

I have a 30 min walk to and from work. I go through ballet pumps in the summer really quickly. It wipes out 100 calories each way and I save money on a train or bus fare so I think I save about £800 a year. I like fresh air and not that bothered by the wind/rain. On occasion I take the bus/train by choice but that's rare.

Yeah, be prepared to wear out shoes a lot quicker than other people! Also, be prepared for people questioning why you walk - some people seem to find it very odd behaviour for some reason. I've been questioned on why I do so, so many times. Even by people who can see their house from work and still drive - you'd think they'd be the ones being questioned, haha.

Dont walk in your work shoes. Buy a waterproof backpack and a lightweight waterproof coat for wet weather (you get very warm walking). I would have clothes to walk in tbh in crappy weather so your work stuff doesnt get sweaty or rub or whatever.

I do!
Absolutely love it and there is no such thing as bad weather just bad clothing choice
Get proper waterproofs and layering is the way to go.
In the winter ensure you have lights and a torch .

Yes. I did that in Londonderry n on days I didn’t want my bike with me (going out to drink after work).
Invest in a beautiful protected species coat (expensive but a fraction of a travel card cost) and sketchers or similar shoes and a smart backpack (mine is Herschel).

Have you thought of an adult scooter? You could halve the time in good weather

I actually preferred it in winter to summer!

Used to do a 45 minute walking commute each way through central London and loved it as it kept me really fit and meant I avoided rush hour tubes. Currently not in a London but I do around the same length of walk to drop DC at nursery and then on to work. As others have said above, definitely think about your choice of footwear / waterproof clothing in bad weather. I used to take an umbrella in London and it was fine. Also, for a 45 min walk, maybe leave 60 mins to get there in your first week or so, as you don’t want a panicky walk-run in to work if it takes longer than you’d thought it would.

You’ll need this for the rain...

I used to have a 25/30minute walk to work and I loved it.

Except on the rainy days. I’d sometimes take a change of clothes (or at least tights/leggings) on the days when I knew my umbrella and coat wouldn’t cut it.

It’s so great to hear that so many people love doing this. I’m really looking forward to the improved fitness that lots of you have mentioned. I hadn’t really considered an adult scooter before but I will check them out and have a look. Thanks so much everyone! I’m definitely bookmarking this so I can read it for inspiration on some of the drearier mornings.

I tried this before but it was unbearably sweaty, even in winter! I'm not usually a sweaty person and I'm not overweight at all, and not too unfit, but I found even at a leisurely pace by the time I got to work (35-45m) I was dripping with sweat. With nowhere to shower, I couldn't bear being sat in dried sweat all day. So I went back to driving (takes six minutes)

It's enjoyable in itself if you don't have to sit and work all day after the walk though. I found that even when it was really cold outside, the exertion of walking for such a distance (with inclines) meant once I got going I didn't need a jacket and it was a hassle to carry it so I'd just set off in regular clothes minus a jacket and I'd be fine within minutes.

Haha mishfish - I love that.

I walk 20 minutes to school, then 20 minutes from school to work every morning and the reverse in the evening. When the weather is really bad it's miserable.

The worst thing is getting to work to find my trousers are sopping from the knee down and my socks are wringing wet. Sitting in wet trousers and socks and shoes all day is really uncomfortable.

If you do it then I would keep spare trousers, socks and shoes at work permanently so you can change.

It'll be a nice start and end to the working day. My commute is walk-train-walk, with about 30 mins of walking each way. I listen to podcasts or music and played Pokemon go for a while. There is a bus I can get when it's pouring or I'm a bit ill but not ill enough to take a sick day, but I rarely take it.

I agree with the recommendations for backpacks and coats with hoods. Also good grippy footwear - pavements can be quite slippy in the wet and for my commute I tend to power along!

Definitely do the adult scooter, it's just as beneficial exercise wise and quicker.

Please don't do the adult scooter!

They are a menace on pavements for other pedestrians and they are too small to go on the roads safely. It's illegal for adults to cycle on the pavements, I wish it were also the case for scooters

also you look like an idiot

I sometimes walk between the mainline station and office instead of the tube. It’s about 30-40 minutes and I always feel better for doing it. My favourite days are either glorious sunny days or bright crisp cold autumn and winter days. However it’s a choice and I can always jump on the tube so I think I would definitely agree with other posters that taxi days should be factored in as flinging down rain on a dark morning would be grim.

I have a 45 min walking commute to work (10 minutes in opposite direction from work to take DCs to school, then 35 mins to work). It's 30 minutes home uphill

I did a 40 minute walking commute, each way, in my old office. Managed this until I was 37w with my first baby

Sadly I am neither slim nor fit

Mine is an hour and I love it. When I started I knew I'd arrive at both ends a bit sweaty and flustered at first, but that it would wear off as I persevered and got fitter. I walk faster now and with no sweat (unless it's high summer, which is also lovely as long as you have a sturdy pair of walking sandals.)

The best thing about it is that I never get home at the end of the day thinking "Oh god, I've done nothing but sit all day, I'll need to faff around putting lycra on and go to the gym ..." No guilt about sitting on my arse all evening if I want to, as the exercise has automatically been incorporated into my day anyway.

I did this for a year - loved it! Brilliant way to wind down in the evening. Make sure you have really good wet weather gear/change of socks/tights etc at work. It was a very stress free job and pre children- not sure if I'd have liked it if I was in a rush to do pick up/dinner etc

I love a walking commute!

My last one was just under 7 miles and I walked / jogged it so did it in about 75 minutes. I only went one way though as I could get a lift most of the way back. I'm not sure I'd have wanted to do both ways!

But 3-4 miles each way would be perfect. I use a good rucksack (a women's Osprey), wear trainers and wear a really good waterproof coat if needed. Carrying a brolly will leave you tired or in a rage with the bloody thing!

I used to do a 45 minute walk to school - and the same back obviously. It would have been two awkward and unreliable buses otherwise. Surprising how you get used to it, and it really set me up for the day before school and helped me wind down afterwards.

You can put the money you save from not paying for transport into a collection of good walking shoes and waterproof coats (you will need something a lot better than a pac a Mac and an umbrella).

I used to do 60min each way, in a city known for being cold. I loved it. I walked every day, in rain or snow. I lost weight and eventually started running both ways instead.

I didn't even own waterproofs. When it rained I got wet. I kept a set of spare clothes at work. I really miss it.