Deciding between walking shoes and cross trainers can be a difficult decision. Knowing how you are planning to use the shoes is the key to help you make the correct choice. If you are merely walking, a walking shoe may be the most appropriate. However, if you like to mix up your exercises and do a little running mixed with walking, the cross trainer could be better for you.
Function
Shoes are designed around a specific function: to keep your feet comfortable and pain and injury free, while providing stability and support. To do this, the shoe must conform to the correct length and width for your foot. Also important is the shape of the arch and how well it forms to you. According to MayoClinic.com, you should bring your old shoes with you, or supply a shoe professional with a footprint, so they may evaluate your arches and help pick a shoe that will function correctly.
Shoe Build
Walking shoes are built with the ball of your feet as the impact point and with flexibility in mind. When you walk, you lightly step on your heel, roll downward, and push off firmly at the ball of your foot. Cross trainer shoes are built for the purpose of more than just walking. According to New Balance, the cross trainer is built up around your ankles to maintain the needed stability when running or stopping suddenly.
Benefits
Cross trainer shoes offer an overall functionality to support your many activities. This means you only have to buy one pair of shoes to get you through whatever you intend to do. A walking shoe offers you more specific features in the make-up of your shoe. For example, the toe box, or area your toes are in, offers more room for your toes to flex up when you plant your heel down. Designed for a specific purpose, walking shoes can be tailored to provide you the best support, comfort and safety to avoid injuries.
Cons
Cross trainer shoes offer only the basic performance features. While this allows your shoes to adapt to the many activities that you put them through, this means you are not offered the best support a shoe has to offer. Walking shoes, as the name suggests, are designed for walking. If you want to indulge in running or other activities, you need to buy shoes that are made for those activities.
Considerations
The decision lies with what activities you do. This may sound simple enough, but choose the wrong shoe with the wrong activity, and injury can result. In fact, MayoClinic.com states that wearing the wrong shoes can lead to blisters or calluses. In extreme cases, they can aggravate other foot injuries and possibly alter the rest of your body. If you still do not know what is best for you, speak with a shoe professional or a podiatrist. They can help you decide which shoe is best with which to travel down the beaten path.
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