Walking in Running Shoes

[TrekChick]

Is it "okay" to walk in your running shoes? I was thinking that since the foot strike is different when walking than running, if you walk in running shoes, would you wear them out "wrong" for running? (Pretty philosophical, huh??)

~~~~~TrekChick

[Tri Girl]

Hmmmm... that's a good question. My orthopedic doc told me to only use my running shoes for running, and different shoes for walking. I have 3 pairs of shoes I rotate, depending on if I'm walking, running short distance, or running long distance. I rotate them, so each time I get a new pair, they become my long distance runners, the long distance shoes become my short distance shoes, my short distance shoes become my walking shoes, and my walking shoes become the "yard" shoes. Confused??? hee hee. It's really pretty easy, and my shoes last a lot longer that way. :D

[Nanci]

I would only use my running shoes for running, and it's optimal to have two or more pairs that you rotate. You mean exercise walking, or just walking around in daily life?

Nanci

[TrekChick]

I do mean walking for exercising. I normally walk the dogs in my hiking boots, but my running shoes are so much cushier! I have also noticed that I feel my shin splints more in the hiking boots than the running shoes, when I'm just walking. So, I was thinking about walking in my running shoes, but upon further thoughtful reflection, figured it might not be such a good idea unless I got some shoes ONLY for walking.

~~~~~TrekChick

[Grog]

Well one thing I know is not to walk on pavement with hiking boots. They're way too stiff, even for gravel or packed dirt trails...

[Nanci]

Well, you know you're supposed to rotate your several pairs of running shoes, and write the dates in them, if they are all the same, so you know who's the oldest- then when you retire a pair, they still have plenty of miles left for dog walking.

I have about six pairs of running shoes in my rotation right now- a pair of trail shoes, (but all I do is run on trails, anyway) a pair of cushy really expensive Asics for long runs where I expect my knees to hurt eventually from hills, and for recovery runs after my knees hurt, and four pairs of my beloved Asics Gel Lites in various stages of wear, plus in two different sizes- I wear the larger size, which is a whole size bigger than normal, for long, long runs when I know my feet will swell. Then there is a smaller, super-dirty pair for mud and rain. You get the idea...

Nanci

[KnottedYet]

Whatever feels good. We put a lot of folks into Brooks running shoes for walking. My all-time favorite walking "shoes" are my Chaco Z-1 sandals. I even ran in them (back when I was running).

You'll get evil shinsplints in any shoe that makes you crash onto the sole of your foot after heelstrike, because your dorsiflexors will be struggling to deccelerate your tibia. For some folks that could be running shoes. For most folks that'll be hiking boots. New Balance makes a shoe specifically for walking that reinforces the heelstrike-toeoff roll. That shoe makes my feet hurt.... And my Technica hiking boots don't cause me any trouble walking on pavement....

Walk in your runners if they feel good. If you're not happy with them I'd say go to a very good run/walk sports shoe store and try out lots of stuff. Make sure they watch you walk and look at the wear patterns on your old shoes.

At one point I had 3 pr of Brooks Addictions: one for running, one for walking, and one for wearing around.

Do what works!:D

[mimitabby]

I bought some NIKE-free running shoes for my trip to Italy (5 km+ walking every single day for 2 weeks)
I had the same thought. i don't run, do i have any business wearing these shoes?
the answer: yes yes yes.
After 2 weeks of heavy tramping on my feet, i have no sores, blisters or sprains or strains. My feet DID get sore especially the first two days, but they got stronger as the days progressed.
I love these shoes!
mimi
ps i'm 54 and have been through a lot of shoes!

[Nanci]

There are a lot of anecdotes about people wearing those Nike Frees for backpacking and doing very well in them.

[TrekChick]

Well, I went and saw the local "authority" on running shoes today - Jane at Soccer Warehouse. Seems that everyone in town has seen her for a custom fit for running shoes. First, she had me walk away and towards her, just in socks. She knew immediately that the shin splints are worse in my left leg, just from watching me walk! I have a very narrow foot, with a high arch, and typically wear out shoes on the outside of the heel, before anywhere else. I figured that I did not have an overpronation problem. By watching me walk, she did confirm that I do overpronate a little bit. She had me try on three different "stabilizing" shoes, and then watched me run in them out in front of the shop. (That was fun - people to left were pigging out on lunch, and people to the right were snarfing down ice cream, and here I was running up & down the sidewalk - hee hee!). Anyway, her first-choice of shoes for me are the ones I ended up buying. So, I will be giving them a try on a real run tomorrow night, and hopefully those nasty shin splints will be gone, gone, gone!

Oh, and the answer to the original question: It is okay to walk in your running shoes. They'll just wear out a little sooner.

~~~~~TrekChick

[runner2]

I rotate them, so each time I get a new pair, they become my long distance runners, the long distance shoes become my short distance shoes, my short distance shoes become my walking shoes, and my walking shoes become the "yard" shoes. Confused??? hee hee. It's really pretty easy, and my shoes last a lot longer that way. :D

Oh my, I have the same way like Tri Girl, in fact, I still have my first pair running shoes from 10 years ago, they're trail running shoes, then become my walking shoes, right now they are retired and in the box.
When I use the old running shoes for walking, I usually replace a good cushion insole with the old one.
And I can't run in my walking shoes(the old favorite), but I always walk in my running shoes from time to time.

[Morphine]

Whatever feels good. We put a lot of folks into Brooks running shoes for walking. My all-time favorite walking "shoes" are my Chaco Z-1 sandals. I even ran in them (back when I was running)........
Do what works!:D

Cant agree more... chaco sandals are fabulous for walking ! owned a pair and although they feel heavy initially, you'll get used to it & be addicted to the feel in no time :) Tried walking in running shoes before, hurts like hell after a while :(

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

My favorite walking shoes are Merrell Ventilator II. I also put a cushion arch sole insert in them because I have high arches and the extra arch height feels great. I walk a fairly brisk 3 miles every morning.
Your walking shoes should be FLEXIBLE and not heavy. Lose the hiking boots unless you are hiking through the woods or over mountains.

[kjay]

My doctor is an avid runner and suggested Asics running shoes when I began a walking program. They felt so good that I no longer wanted to walk, so I ran. :D

[katie]

My doctor is an avid runner and suggested Asics running shoes when I began a walking program. They felt so good that I no longer wanted to walk, so I ran. :D

Yes! Yes! Yes! Asics are one of the best shoe companies I have come across in my 8 years of running. I could try and praise the Gel-Kayano's but I wouldn't do them justice.

[Bikingmomof3]

I use Brooks and Asics for running and Ryka for other aerobic exercise. I have an old pair of Nike shoes I use to bum around in.