To walk is to stay in control of your day. Lose the walk, and the city begins to shrink — the barista who greets you, the neighbour on the corner, the familiar face at the market. Walking carries emotional, physical, and mental benefits and is one of the most powerful social connectors we have. Physical health, mental wellbeing, and belonging move together.
Walking is also one of the most powerful preventative health tools we have — with growing evidence of its role in dementia prevention. But when knee pain, back pain, or fear of falling enters the picture, people quietly walk less. The design world has not kept pace. When great ideas have emerged, there has rarely been a serious commercial effort behind them. We want to change that.
What does confidence feel like in your hand? Shape, surface, ergonomics, sweat, pressure points.
Where the pole meets the world. Cushioning, surface response, weight distribution, weather adaptability, longevity.
What should it be made of to feel considered, not clinical? Carbon, wood, composites, 3D printing, recycled.
What already exists that gets it right? Furniture, Japanese craft, running shoes, hiking poles, dance, robotics, fashion, yoga, neuroscience, AI.
What should your body feel after a walk? Balance, posture, pain reduction (knee, back, hip), muscle activation, shock absorption.
What does it mean to be seen using one? Shame, pride, comfort, trust, style, identity, independence, motivation, trends, retail as culture.
Does it fit your life when you're not walking? Carrying, folding, packability, rain, GPS, hands-free moments: groceries, dog walking, daily life.
A live research session with specialists, designers and everyday people. Come with questions, leave with insights. Limited spots.
Hi, I'm Mikella — a life-long walker who never owned a car. I walk through cities and feel connected, grounded and curious. I am a design researcher and producer, curious about how we support longer living in cities.
Keep That Walking started with random talks with people holding walking sticks or hiking poles and has become a passion project. A space for questions, talks, experiments, observations and learnings.
It is dedicated to my mum — dearest friend and the original walker who I sadly lost last year. You are invited to join this exploration space.
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