When going through a sports or shoe store, you will generally find yourself overwhelmed by the many shoe choices. You walk up to the shoes and can’t decide which to choose – they all look the same. You may pick a pair that seems to be the best option, but do you know anything about it? Is it a running shoe or walking shoe? You need to know the answer to that question before making your purchase because you need a shoe that fits the exercise you are doing. What’s the difference? This blog is going explore how walking and running shoes are different, helping you choose the best shoe for you.
1. Walking and Running Shoes Offer Different Cushioning
When we run or walk, we use our feet differently, and our body weight is spread out in a different manner. When you run, the impact of hitting the ground with your feet is three times the amount of your body weight – sounds painful, doesn’t it? Runners need quite a bit of cushioning in their shoes, especially at the front of the foot and the heel, but walkers only need slight cushioning. If a walker purchases a running shoe with much cushioning, he or she will notice more foot fatigue because the extra cushioning adds extra weight. If you plan on running, purchase shoes with decent cushioning, if you are walking, purchase shoes that only have minimal cushioning.Â
2. Heel Height Needs To Be Different Between Shoes
Take a close look at walking and running shoes – do you notice how the running shoes have built up heels, and the walking shoes hardly have any? This is because when running, we tend to strike with our heels or midway on our feet, meaning we need a higher, built in heel in our running shoes. Sometimes, we might hit with the balls of our feet, which means we need less of a heel in our running shoes, but we still will need one. When you are using walking shoes, you should look for one the smallest difference between the toe and heel to ensure you get the best shoe. You don’t need as much shock absorption when walking as you do when running.Â
3. Flared And Not Flared Shoes?
Again, take a close look at walking and running shoes, but this time make sure you are looking from above. Do you notice how the heel of the running shoe has a flare and the walking shoe does not? That flare helps give runners more support, as they will need a wider heel so that they do not roll their ankles when running. You mainly see these flares in running shoes that are for trail running. If you are looking for walking shoes, make sure you find some that do not have that flare. Because you strike your heel when you are walking and roll forward to the ball of your foot, the flared shoe will keep you from doing this. This can cause significant pain when walking with shoes that are only for running, not walking.
Choose the Best Walking and Running Shoes For Yourself
Always make sure that you choose the best walking and running shoes, depending on how you plan to workout. You can find a number of great walking shoes here at The Orthotic Shop, as well as some incredible running shoes. Take a look around and purchase some wonderful walking and running shoes for yourself, today!