Walking is one of the best ways to keep yourself healthy and fit. It is something you can easily do without the need for expensive equipment. As an accessible activity, walking can greatly improve your confidence, stamina, and lower your stress.
You can also benefit from having reduced weight and a longer life expectancy with consistent walking incorporated into your daily routine. Just like any other physical activity, walking requires a good set of footwear. In choosing the best pair for your daily walking needs, there are things you need to consider.
Can training shoes be used for walking?
Training shoes are designed for gym enthusiasts. A good pair provides a seamless transition from jogging to doing aerobics and lifting weights. Wearing training shoes for walking short distances is fine but is not recommended. It doesn’t offer much arch support and may result in foot fatigue if you wear them specifically for walking.
What are the differences between the different types of shoes?
If you go to a retail chain of the most popular sneaker brands like Nike, Adidas, Reebok, or New Balance, they have designated isles for each type of footwear that they offer.
You won’t notice it at first glance, but once you take a nice look at it, you will see that running shoes, walking shoes, and training shoes all have different uppers and outsoles because they cater to specific needs. They also have diverse lace-ups and insoles which add to their variations.
What is special about running shoes?
Running shoes generally have more cushioning in the heel because it is often the point of impact. Since the amount of heat is greater as you move in a running motion, this type of footwear has more amount of mesh. This keeps your feet cool as you exert more physically.
What makes walking shoes effective?
When walking, your body is distributed more evenly compared to when you run. Your body moves in a gentle ‘rocking chair-like” motion. Your feet carry much of the brunt with each step to absorb shock that is one to two times your body weight.
This means that a good pair of walking shoes usually have greater arch support than other footwear because it provides better protection where the force is heaviest on the foot.
What is so special about training shoes?
Training shoes are designed for impact and traction. They offer more ankle support than other types of footwear for both lateral and forward movement.
Trainers are used for a variety of workouts like running, weight lifting, and other types of HIIT (High-Intensity Impact Training). Training shoes are fine for shorter runs but are not recommended for half-marathons or full marathons.
It is always best to wear running shoes for better cushioning in the heel.
Can running shoes be used for walking?
If you’re an avid runner or frequently jog as a form of exercise, you’ll immediately realize that running shoes provide more support on the feet than a standard walking shoe.
They have excellent arch support and they can be worn for both running and walking. For comparison, think of a walking shoe as a normal car while a running shoe is your top-of-the-line sports car itching to drive the distance.
Having a pair of running shoes may also save you a few extra bucks. You won’t need to buy an extra pair specifically for walking.
How do walking and running dictate the shoe that I wear?
A lot of people will say that walking and running are basically the same and that your shoes shouldn’t matter when you’re doing these two things.
However, the two activities have a few slight differences. They also have very specific demands. There are points where both of your feet are placed firmly on the ground when you’re walking, effectively dividing your bodyweight equally.
Running meanwhile has moments where neither foot is on the ground. When choosing a pair for either of these two activities, it is important to choose one that has excellent arch support for good measure.
How important is wearing the correct shoes for your overall health?
The first thing you have to remember when asking why there are many different kinds of shoes that cater to specific needs is that they greatly reduce the risk of injuries.
The right kind of shoe also prevents issues on your back and knee. Wearing the correct kind of shoes for activities like walking, running, or working out at the gym also improves your overall performance. It gives you the best chance of performing at the highest level.
What are the things I should look out for when choosing the best walking shoes?
The upper of your walking shoe should be breathable to keep you cool and dry at the same time. It should also contribute to the overall durability and longevity of your shoe.
The outsole of your walking shoe should have anti-slip features to protect you from slippery surfaces and reduce the risk of you falling or skidding.
Most walking shoes have a wide outsole as they provide stability. Since walking shoes are meant for use all day, they should have contours that naturally conform to your feet.
The shoes should be able to give you comfort for long hours to prevent foot fatigue and pain. Also, ensure that your pair has considerable arch support to absorb shock and adequate cushioning to prevent unwanted blisters.
Conclusion
Shoes are meant to protect your feet and provide cushioning as you move. There are a lot of shoe variations for a lot of activities and they are different from one another.
Although wearing training shoes for walking is fine if you don’t have any other choice, it is not recommended in the long run as it may cause foot problems.
Wearing appropriate shoes and taking note of the things we have listed in this article should help you make a better choice for when you choose the best pair for your walking needs.