Sneakers may all look the same but they are specifically made for certain activities and the demands on your body. Aerobic shoes, also known as cross-trainers, are made for the individual who participates in many different activities, without a focus on running. Running shoes are made for the individual focusing on a running regimen. Wearing the wrong kind of footwear can lead to injury, so it is important to choose the appropriate shoe.
Outsole
The outsole is the part of the shoe that touches the ground when you walk, and depending on the type of activity for which the shoe is made, this can vary. Running shoes typically have a blown rubber or carbon rubber outsole; blown rubber is more flexible and better cushioned, says Dick's Sporting Goods website. There are usually flex grooves along the forefoot to allow the shoe to flex while you run. Conversely, aerobic sneakers have a wider outsole and are made of carbon rubber or a mix of carbon and blown rubber, to allow the sneaker to function in a variety of settings and activities.
Midsole
Above the outsole is the midsole, which provides much of the cushioning of a shoe. Running shoes have either EVA or polyurethane cushioning to withstand the pounding that occurs during running and stability running shoes have stiffer materials in the midsole, along the inner side of the shoe, to prevent the foot from rolling inward, states Dick's Sporting Goods. Aerobic shoes tend to have a dense midsole with moderate cushioning, which adds to the stability of the shoe.
Upper
The fabric that encloses your foot in the shoe is called the upper. Running shoes are generally made to allow your foot to breathe and stay cool while running, and the upper is meant to be flexible. The upper is often made with a combination of fabrics, like mesh and leather, with a roomy toe box to let your foot and muscles move while running.
Aerobic shoe uppers may be made completely of leather or from mesh and leather. Dick's Sporting Goods explains that leather uppers provide more ankle stability, which is important when participating in aerobics or other sports.
Considerations
When buying sneakers, it is important to consider the type of activities in which you will be participating. Aerobic and cross-training shoes are heavier and made for more stability for a variety of movements, like side-to-side motions. Running shoes are lighter and made with the biomechanics of running in mind. Try on sneakers at the end of the day, as your feet swell during the day and during exercise; this will give you a more accurate fit, suggests the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
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