When buying shoes for physical activities, many people are drawn toward running shoes without really thinking about it. This makes some sense, given the wide varieties of running shoes available at any shoe store, but it’s important to consider how you’ll actually use the shoes you buy before investing all that money in a pair.
As you browse the selection of women’s shoes in Rochester Hills, MI at your local shoe store, you might wonder what the best shoes are for your physical fitness hobbies. Read on to find out how walking and running shoes differ, and why that matters for your feet.
Walking shoes
When most people walk, they strike the heel of their foot on the ground first, and then roll their weight through the middle of the foot, the ball and finally the toe. This motion is much gentler on the foot than running is, and it also spreads body weight more evenly on the foot.
Walking shoes are specifically designed to reflect this type of motion. The heels and toe boxes are not as flared or wide as in running shoes, and they also are more flexible near the ball of the foot. Finally, they use less cushion than running shoes and have a flatter, thinner sole because the foot’s impact on the ground is less than in running.
Running shoes
Though everyone’s running stride is different, most runners will land on one part of the foot and then not roll their weight evenly through the entire shoe. You might consider how some people run mostly on the balls of their feet and barely touch their heels down at all. Because of this different motion and the higher speeds involved in running, when a runner hits the ground, the feet absorb around three times the runner’s body weight.
Running shoes are built to withstand this higher impact and the different foot action that takes place during running. They are often much more cushioned than walking shoes and have more flexibility in the arch, along with being made out of more breathable material.
To find the right shoes for your favorite physical activities, you’ll need access to a large selection of women’s shoes in Rochester Hills, MI. Where can you find this selection as well as an exceptional sales staff who can identify all your shoe needs? Look no further than Haig Shoes! For three decades, we’ve offered the best in customer service and the best footwear in the Rochester Hills area.
Haig Shoes offers a wide selection of both running and walking shoes from many premium shoe brands, and can outfit all feet sizes, from narrow all the way to the widest of wide feet. We are a certified dealer of SAS shoes, but we also carry brands like New Balance, Birkis, Ecco and many more. Stop by to browse are selections and talk with our knowledgeable sales staff. We look forward to helping you find the right pair of women’s shoes in Rochester Hills, MI for walking or running!