It is a common thing to see people taking morning runs around your neighborhood. It is an activity for those who want to keep fit and start the day on a healthy note. Nevertheless, there are those who decide to start the day with a low impact activity, like just walking.
When you see people taking their morning jogs, you will notice that there are specific shoes worn for that activity. There are also shoes designed essentially for long walks on different terrain. If you enjoy taking walks early in the morning or in the evening, you might not be aware that you have the wrong footwear for the exercise.
You might assume a walking and running shoe is one and the same thing. If you go to your local sports store, you will notice that there is a difference in these two types of sports shoes. Since each shoe is actually used for different purposes.
The key difference between these two kinds of footwear is the cushioning at the bottom. For the running shoes, the cushioning is thicker compared to walking shoes and the width of the cushion is even all across the sole. This is because while you run your foot lands flat on the ground and the whole foot will exert force on the ground. Therefore the cushion needs to be present all across the sole of the shoe, to withstand and conserve some of this force.
In the case of walking shoes, the shoes are designed to have more cushioning on the place that makes contact with the ground first. So when you walk, your heel touches the ground first before any other part of your foot. The walking shoes therefore have a thicker cushioning at the back to cater for the shock absorbed in this area. This cushioning, however, reduces as it slopes towards the ball of the foot. This is to improve your stability and make the shoe flexible so that you can push off.
With these modifications, you should keep in mind that you should not use walking shoes for running, since it will not offer the same comfort you need. However, you can use running shoes for walking since the cushioning can accommodate the shock emitted during that exercise. Here are some things you should know about walking shoes;
- They should be made of leather.
These types of shoes are made out of either leather or fabric. Sometimes some brands could design walking shoes for women that are a mixture of both the materials. Although you should be aware that walking shoes that are made of suede and mesh will be lighter and more breathable than the traditional type.
Before you take a walk you should know if you are going on a terrain that is wet or dry. If the walk is a place that is dry, then you can opt for a lightweight shoe. If the walk will be wet, a waterproof walking shoe or a hiking boot will be best.
Footwear is generally a very important area for any wardrobe, whether you are planning to do an activity or not. Your footwear plays an even more important role if you plan to do extensive movement from one place to another. Therefore, with these tips you will be able to know which walking shoe is best for you.
Bio
James Sneek is an experienced tailor and also a business man. He has worked with major fashion brands in designing clothes for both men and women. He also has his own clothing line where, he is able to make tailored clothes for his clients and design walking shoes for women.
