There are many people who don’t know the difference between running shoes and walking shoes. This confusion may come from the fact that both of these types of shoes are designed for people who want to exercise. However, there is a subtle difference between them.
Running shoes are the most popular type of footwear among running enthusiasts. Running shoes are designed to be worn during a run or workout and will protect your feet from the elements.
While walking shoes are specifically designed for those who take long walks regularly or run short distances occasionally and are more affordable than running shoes.
Running shoes Vs Walking Shoes: The Major Differences
Although there are many similarities between running shoes and walking shoes, they also have some differences. Here is a list of the key differences that you should be aware of before making a decision.
Cushioning
Running shoe is designed for people who run on hard surfaces. Running shoes often come with a lot of cushioning to protect the feet from impact and provide comfort.
Walking shoes, on the other hand, may not have as much cushioning because they are built to provide more stability while walking, and walkers usually do not need any extra cushioning.
Flexibility
One of the biggest differences between running shoes and walking shoes is flexibility. Running shoe tend to be more flexible than walking shoe.
This means that they are better for exercises like jogging or sprinting where your foot needs to bend at certain angles as you move forward, but not so much when it comes time to take a step back.
Walking shoes on the other hand should be less flexible because their main purpose is taking long steps which require little bending at any angle during movement.
Looking for running shoes? Find out the best running shoes in India.
Support
Another key difference between running shoes and walking shoes is the level of support they offer. Running shoes are typically designed to provide more support than walking shoes because runners need ankle stability when they run.
Walking shoes, on the other hand, don’t require as much support because you won’t be doing any sprinting or jumping in them. They simply need to protect your feet from the impact of taking long steps on a variety of surfaces.
Shoe weight
Running shoes tend to be lighter than walking shoes because runners need lightweight footwear in order to run faster.
However, some running shoe models can weigh more due to their added features like extra padding and stability control elements that protect you while you run.
Price
Running shoes are typically more expensive than Walking Shoes because they have more features and are made for a specific purpose.
If you only plan on casually walking then there is no need to spend extra money on running shoes when you could just buy a pair of walking shoes instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now that you know the difference between running shoes and walking shoes, here are some questions that may be on your mind.
Conclusion
Many people look at a pair of running shoes and think that it is the same as a walking shoe. In actuality, there are many subtle differences between them which I hope you have learned from this article.
I also want to remind you about our other article on running shoes vs training shoes where you can read more in-depth information about their differences.
If you still have any questions in your mind then feel free to comment down below.
By Neha Saxena
I'm a writer and researcher for Shoes Suggester. A few years back I was overweight but now I’ve got my weight under control with the help of running! In the process, I’ve tried on countless pairs of shoes from walking shoes and running shoes to flip flops and even boots! It's been a great journey so far.
