There comes a time when you need a new pair of athletics shoes. But quite honestly, the number of options that are available to choose from can be positively overwhelming. Luckily, most shoes stores have a very well-trained staff complement, who will be able to assist you with any queries. However, if you are able to do enough research before you go, you will be saving yourself a lot of time and effort in the long run.

Why are Walking and Running Shoes considered different?

Although the two activities are, by their very nature, related, the small nuances are where the main differences come in. Of course, support, flexibility, breathability and cushioning are important in any shoe of this nature. But it is HOW it is applied that sets a purpose-bought shoes apart from any random pair of Nike shoes on sale. As a rule, walking shoes should be more flexible across the back. Whilst running shoes should provide support across the middle.

The perfect pair of walking shoes, and when to run

The motion of walking should give you a sense of freedom across the front of your foot, while providing support across the arches. They should be sturdy enough to handle long walks. However light enough so as not to cause fatigue for the wearer. Although many people tend to just default to their trusty pair of Nike shoes to double up as walking shoes. The ideal situation is that your heel and the ball of your foot should be positioned at equal levels in the shoe. This ensures even distribution of weight. You might also find my earlier post on the best shoes for the theme parks a useful read.

Running, on the other hand, creates far greater impact to the feet. For this reason, decent padding in the heel area is crucial. If you’ve ever bought shoes in one of the many Nike shoes sales that come around in malls every so often, you might have seen a lot of mesh incorporated into running shoes. This is because it helps with ventilation and cooling action, as a lot of body heat is created by running.

What is Pronation?

As a rule, low arches mean flatter feet. This might make one prone to overpronation, and therefore, a higher risk for injury. Luckily, it is easily remedied by wearing shoes that provide support, solidity, and stability.

However, if you have high arches, you will likely notice that more wear and tear take place around the outside edges of your soles. This can be indicative of under pronation, which will require shoes with thicker and more stable soles to support the arches and lighten the pressure on the ankles and toes.

A proper fit

Ill-fitting shoes can give rise to a host of secondary issues, like misalignment or injury to the spine or feet. A great tip is to buy your shoes near the end of the day, when your feet will be at their maximum level of swelling, ensuring that any sizing issues are already factored in before you buy them, preventing you from buying shoes that are too small.