Runners and walkers need different shoes
Staying fit and healthy means getting a move on and proper shoes for different activities give your feet the support they need for the way you're moving your body. And who doesn't love shoe shopping?
Running shoes
When you run, typically your heel strikes down first, then you roll up and off your toes. Running shoes are engineered with a lot of cushioning for your heels, which takes the pressure off them, since you apply two to three times your body weight on your feet as you run. The heel end of running shoes is higher off the ground than other shoes because it needs to accommodate all that cushioning.
Runners are made for moving forward, not side-to-side. The upper part of the shoe will have a lot of flexibility, especially across the forefoot, to allow your foot to smoothly roll from heel to toe. The upper is made with porous materials, such as mesh, for ventilation.
Don't use a running shoe for aerobics, court sports such as tennis, or for hiking or other activities involving side-to-side action, where you may need lateral support to protect your ankles.
Walking shoes
Walking shoes often have the same construction and support for the same forward motion as a running shoe, but walking shoes give you a more precise feel because they have less cushioning in the heel, so your heel is closer to the ground.
The top part, or upper, is often made with more leather to keep your foot secure. More of the bottom of the shoe will make direct contact with the ground, giving you more stable contact. They often have a slightly curved outer sole so you can roll off your toe easily, but the upper is less ventilated. Because they have simpler cushioning materials, walking shoes tend to be less expensive than running shoes.
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