Cross-trainers are designed to play multiple roles. You can use them in the gym for almost any activity --- lifting weights, your yoga class, using the elliptical machine, stretching, basketball or a Zumba workout. Running shoes, on the other hand, are specifically designed for people who pound the pavement, the track or the trail. Consequently, there are several main differences between the two types of athletic shoes.
Cushioning
While cross-training shoes provide cushioning, running shoes go much further in protecting your feet from impact with the ground. As a result, regular runners are advised not to use cross-country shoes. They simply don't provide enough cushioning and support, whether you are running outside or inside on a treadmill. Using a cross-trainer for running leaves you susceptible to foot, knee and back injuries.
Weight
Running shoes, as you might guess, are much lighter than cross-trainers. Obviously, it's easier to run in a lightweight shoe, especially when you are piling up the miles. If you walk regularly, you might consider a running shoe for that purpose as well. The heavier weight of the cross-trainer is necessary to provide extra durability and extra control for lateral movements. Runners rarely make the sharp cuts and lateral movements that are standard on the basketball court or a dance class.
Sole
The sole of a cross-trainer is wide and stable, giving you more support for lateral movement. The tread in running shoes is smooth, which provides less traction, but because runners are essentially moving straight ahead, traction is rarely an issue.
Considerations
Runners in particular require shoes that can be fitted for the particular shape of their foot. Models of running shoes are designed for people who overpronate, rolling their feet inward when they stride, or underpronators who generally have flat feet. You don't want to run hundreds of miles in shoes that don't cradle your feet properly.
References
- Dick's Sporting Goods: How to Buy Cross Training Shoes
- Shoe Capital: What Is the Difference Between a Running Shoe and a Cross Training Shoe?
- WorkoutResults.net: Top 5 Cross Training Shoes for Men
- "Fitness": Shoetopia --- The Best Sneakers for Every Workout
- Running Shoe Reviews and Ratings: Finding the Best Running Shoe for You
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