Why the difference between walking and running shoes matters

Regular walkers understand the importance of a decent pair of shoes, and in many cases will tend to use the trusty old pair of Nike shoes they have in the closet anyway. Because those are good shoes, aren’t they? Our society’s seemingly insatiable appetite for running shoes also far overshadows the actual availability of walking shoes on the market. Here’s why it is important to get walking shoes if walking is your preferred activity. Did you know walking has seven benefits?

But everyone else is doing it!

Of course you can walk in running shoes, but that is not the point of this discussion. Essentially, walking is a very different biomechanical process to running, and as such, you will be better off wearing a pair of shoes that is specifically designed for supporting this purpose.

Two different kinds of movement

I have already touched on the way that the biomechanical processes between walking and running differs. This variation in movement is the primary factor that affects what type of shoe to look out for.

When you run your foot hits the ground in a different way than it would have if you were walking. When you run your gait changes, and the impact created by multiple landings, every time your foot strikes the ground, can put as much as two to three times your body weight’s worth of pressure on your feet and ankles. Although running is a natural movement, it does create a huge amount of strain on these joints. This is why it is important to ensure that your feet are adequately supported and protected for running.

Now compare this to the movement created by walking. When you walk, your foot tends to naturally land on the heel first, and then roll over, shifting your weight to the toes. The pressure created by this movement is almost less than half of the impact created by running. It is unlikely that both your feet will be airborne at any point while walking, while this is a strong possibility during running. Walking creates a far more even distribution of pressure on the feet.

So what makes walking shoes different?

Even the best-looking, most well-designed Nike shoes for sale won’t do you any favours if you wear it incorrectly, like for walking. Many stores that stock sporting shoes offer a service where they will analyse your foot and the way you walk and run. This is a great way of ensuring that you buy a shoe that is the perfect fit for you. Stores that offer foot analysis are often a great starting point to ensure that you don’t end up with any generic, one-size-fits-all make of shoe.

As a final word of advice, don’t get too obsessed with brand names and labels. Even if you’ve never heard of the brand name before, a solid and sturdy flat shoe which keeps your toes in line with your heels can be a far better walking shoe than a trademarked running shoe used incorrectly.