What is the difference between a men’s running shoe and a golf shoes for plantar fasciitis? Running shoes were specifically made to cushion the feet during heel-to-heel contact with the ground and tend to have a higher drop to provide added cushioning. On the other hand, women’s cross training shoes were originally designed for speed, with the intention of alleviating stress on the joints and muscles of the legs as they move rapidly from side to side. Additionally, women’s cross training shoes also tend to have more breath-ability than most men’s running shoes. These shoes are typically made of lighter material and may have some sort of support structure, whether it be a mesh sock liner or some other type of foam that permits the feet to breathe.
The primary distinction between men’s shoes and women’s shoes is the sole. Men’s shoes generally have a smooth sole, while women’s shoes tend to have a more cushioned sole. The cushioning in the sole of the shoe can help to reduce stress on the ankles and knees by redistributing the forces that are exerted upon them throughout the entire duration of the run. Further, cushioning in the sole also makes the shoe more comfortable to wear and run in, since the feet feel less stiff when entering and leaving the shoes.
As previously mentioned, women’s shoes tend to have more cushioning in the midsole area of the shoe, and generally do not have as much support as men’s shoes do in the upper portion of the shoes. Many women’s shoes have a flexible midsole to better meet their needs, however. When choosing women’s shoes, it may be best to choose those with flexible insoles. This allows you to customize the shoe to your own needs, since some women find that their feet tend to be very different from each other.
Another difference between women’s shoes and men’s shoes is the overall design of the shoe. For example, women’s shoes tend to be more colorful than men’s shoes, often come with colorful laces and ribbon detailing, and are made of more comfortable materials than men’s shoes. Additionally, women’s shoes tend to be smaller in size and therefore will not restrict your foot as much.
The next aspect to consider when purchasing women’s cross training shoes is your own personal running and walking style. Each woman will use a pair of shoes for a slightly different reason. If you tend to be a fast-paced, quick-footed person, then you’ll likely want to go with a shoe that has lots of cushioning and additional shock absorption to keep you protected. If you find yourself to be a more relaxed and steady runner, then you might prefer a shoe with less support in the heel and more cushion in the forefoot to provide you with more stability.
The sole of the shoe is also important when it comes to choosing a women’s cross-training shoe. This is an area where there is a lot of room for you to be creative. For example, you might decide that you want a flexible sole to give you extra traction on the road. Or you may want a closed sole to reduce the amount of friction your feet will experience while training.