Cross-trainers are designed to be an all-purpose shoe used for sports or a variety of workouts, both indoors and outdoors. Air walkers are designed for people who want to walk as the main part of their exercise programs, thus include features specifically designed to make walking more comfortable and efficient.
Function
Cross-training shoes are the most versatile type of athletic shoe available and are the most economic choice for a person who participates in a variety of activities or sports, or who varies their workout routine often, according to CBSSports.com. Air walker shoes are designed to accommodate walking. Thus many air walkers are lightweight, breathable and designed to be water-resistant or waterproof.
Cushion
The cushioning in cross-training shoes is moderate. It's primarily located at the shoe's heel and forefoot. To enhance shoe stability, cushioning often is dense and durable. EVA is a more lightweight cushioning sometimes used in cross trainers. It can be made more durable by compressing it. Polyurethane is often used to add weight and stability to cross trainers, and is a denser and more durable cushioning material, according to CBSSports.com. Shock absorption is less of a requirement in walking shoes than for shoes designed for high-impact activity. Air walkers frequently feature added "air cushions" at the midsole to improve comfort and support. Air walkers also have "air units" in the heel to help with impact, as the heel is where the most forceful impact will occur. Air walkers frequently use EVA as well.
Outsoles
Cross-training shoes have multi-purpose outsoles that are typically durable. These can be made of carbon rubber or of a combination of blown rubber and carbon rubber and blown rubber. Walking shoes are designed with a low-profile heel and often have a slight bevel on the outer side of the heel. This is meant to keep the foot and ankle steady, help walkers achieve an efficient foot strike and accommodate a walker's natural roll-through motion. Walking shoes will have softer soles that are often cut horizontally in places to aid the foot in bending and flexing properly, and can be made of carbon rubber.
Stability
In air walkers, stability is emphasized at the back of shoe surrounding the heel. You should not be able to push the shoe's heel easily with your finger, according to RunThePlanet.com. Walking shoes should have low-profile heel along with a slight bevel on the heel's outer side. Cross-training shoes are designed to meet basic cushioning, comfort, stability and durability requirements for many activities and sports. They have low-profile midsoles. The bottom of a cross-training shoe is usually wide to help with stability in side-to-side motions.
Running
Cross trainers should not be used for people who are running regularly as they don't offer the needed flexibility and cushioning. The shoes may help people who tend to pronate, or have their feet roll inward, when running or walking, according to CBSSports.com. They are heavier than typical running shoes. Air walkers are lighter than typical running shoes. They are not a good option for regular running, either. The low-profile heels in air walkers have less cushioning in that area than running shoes will, and will not meet a runner's cushioning needs.
Member Comments