How many of us, without even thinking, slip on our training shoes and head to the gym or go for a quick run? Research shows that using one type of training shoe for different workouts can impact your joints and ligaments badly in the long run.
If you are interest in shoe shopping, and want to know about the best shoes for your favourite type of workout, read on!
Cross Training Shoes
As you might know, cross-training is a multimodal program, which means you need a shoe that will be able to handle agility drills to powerlifting. Luckily, a variety of cross-training shoes have appeared in response to booming demand from athletes. The shoe cross trainers have tough uppers, wider toes boxes, minimal heel-to-toe drop and flexible soles providing enhanced stability and better support for multi-directional movement.
Here are some of the best training shoes for cross training for men and for women.
Have a look here to see which shoes will be best for squats, deadlifts, jumping and agility.
Weight Lifting Shoes
Weightlifting shoes are a great tool that can aid with mobility and form while performing free weight movements like squats, presses, cleans, and snatches. Weightlifting shoes are vital as they have a slight heel rise allowing a deeper drop into squats, and the sole is a lot stiffer in order to offer more stability.
These are some of the best weight lifting shoes for men and for women.
Running Shoes
Running shoes are so unique because people have so many different styles of running. Under-pronators land on the outside of their foot, overpronators land on the inside of their foot and neutral pronators land fairly evenly. Then the distance and track you run on makes an even bigger impact. We’ve viewed what Runner’s World has to say about the best running shoes this year as they test with over 200 runners for over a month, to make their conclusions.
The Hoka One One Rocket X, road running, won the best new shoe in 2021 and is also unisex.
The Asics Gel Nimbus 23 has been rated as an excellent everyday-running shoe for training and longer races. Have a look at the men’s and women’s version. As well as the Asics Gel Kayano 27 men’s and women’s.
The Nike Pegasus Trail 3 is a brilliant shoe for anyone commuting or running on a mix of road and trail.
The main difference between running and training shoes are Sole flexibility and Heel drop. Running shoes are specifically made for heel to toe movement. Whereas training shoes are for multi-directional movement, especially lateral. The soles of training shoes are therefore more flexible to allow more movement.
Running shoes have a higher heel drop for added cushioning and support, and a flatter sole for training shoes.
Walking Shoes
A common mistake that people make is to wear running shoes as walking shoes, or vice versa. They are similar in that they both feature lots of cushion and decent stability but walking shoes should be kept separate as walking distributes your weight more evenly than running.
Shoes that are made strictly for walking usually have more of an arch support, to protect where the force is greatest when you walk. As opposed to running shoes where the cushioning is usually more in the heel, because it is usually the point of contact.
The best overall shoe is the HKR Mesh.
Hiking Shoes
Is moving away from bulky boots toward lightweight shoes and even trail runners that are faster and more comfortable. Hiking shoes have an aggressive tread that will protect your ankles whilst navigating roots, rocks, mud and water. Hiking boots should also be breathable and waterproof, as well as having extra cushioning to support your feet during the repetitive impact of pounding on uneven terrain.
The Salomon X Ultra 3 is one of the top hiking shoes for 2021, combining a feathery feel with impressive on-trail performance. The single-pull laces are fast to use and provide a secure fit, and the shoe is far nimbler than traditional hikers
Cycling Shoes
Cycling may be an obvious one, but it does depend on how serious of a cyclist you are and what type of bike you have. Not every bike features pedals that have cleat systems, but it’s best to get the appropriate shoes for the bike that you have to support your ankles and arches.
While cycling, you depend on your feet to support the rest of your body, so the rigid sole and stiff uppers in road bike shoes help support your body and prevent you from falling while providing more energy through the pedals.
Shimano S-Phyre RC9 has been making some of the best cycling shoes for a while.
All in all, be careful to use that one training shoe for different workouts, and rather invest over time to get the correct shoe that will support your workout, and your body in the long run.
