Training Shoes vs. Running Shoes: What Are the Differences?

How much do you know about the differences between the following: training shoes vs. running shoes? Every professional athlete has a closet full of different types of shoes. Of course, they have shoes designed for their sport of choice, be it cleats for the soccer pitch or basketball shoes, meant to grip the court.

But they also have specific shoes for helping them train. They’ll have running shoes when they’re focused on cardio, as well as training shoes. 

Training shoes vs. running shoes, aren’t these the same thing? Not exactly. If you’re an aspiring athlete, or just looking to stay healthy and fit, it’s important to know the difference between these two types of shoes, and how each fits into your workout plan.

Keep reading our running and training shoes buying guide below to learn all about athletic footwear. 

What are Running Shoes?

Running shoes are designed for one purpose, one activity; running. They are designed to support one main pattern of movement.

The structure, support, and cushioning of the shoe are designed for comfort over the course of long-running distances. Running is a high-impact activity, which puts a lot of pressure on your heel, ankles, and knees.

To prevent overuse and injury, running shoes have extra levels of cushion in the heel to prevent heel strike pain. They are meant to absorb shock on the pavement. 

They have high levels of arch support and midsole cushioning. This helps lock your foot in place, empowering forward motion only. A thicker sole helps your foot ignore debris on the track, like stones or sticks.

Basically, these shoes provide maximum protection while running but don’t necessarily support other types of activities. 

Examples of Running Shoes

Running shoes provide maximum cushion at the lightest possible weight. You want your feet to feel like they can fly across the pavement. 

Nike Air Zooms are a popular choice for runners looking for versatile performance. The shoes are light and comfortable, with ample cushioning. Brooks Ghost and Brooks Adrenaline shoes are also built specifically for distance running. 

If you’re looking for versatile shoes that look good while you run, you can buy Human Race shoes, which are a collaboration between Adidas and Pharrell Williams.

The collab is centered around a celebration of humanity and inclusivity. The shoes look amazing, and they also come in running variations that are comfortable to wear when running any distance.

They are well suited to casual running, as opposed to those training for marathons. 

What are Training Shoes?

Training shoes are like running shoes in that you wear them when working out. But training shoes are specifically designed to wear to the gym when performing a wide variety of different workouts.

When you perform a variety of workouts, your foot needs to move and flex in different directions. Training shoes have less cushion and drop, and are lower profile to allow for a wider range of motion.

They still secure your foot in place, but they support more types of motion, rather than running shoes, which only support forward motion. 

Examples of Training Shoes

Almost every brand that produces running shoes also produces training shoes, as they go hand in hand.

The Nike Metcon is a popular training shoe, as it feels incredibly stable and empowers intense workouts like CrossFit. 

The Under Armor Tribase shoes are also good indoor training shoes. The Reebok Nano X1 training shoes are great outdoor training shoes, where you might be navigating soft or hard-packed dirt, rock, logs, or mixed terrain trails. 

Many athletes who are interested in minimalist footwear swear by the Vivobarefoot Primus Lite shoes, which offer no cushioning or arch support, but maximum stability once you get used to minimalist footwear. 

Training Shoes vs. Running Shoes

So what is the difference between running shoes and training shoes? Running shoes are designed solely for one task. They are made for distance runners looking to get a few miles in during each run. They support forward motion only and secure the foot in place, limiting any other types of movement.

They provide maximum support and cushioning to prevent overuse and injury.

Running shoes would do poorly when wearing them for other types of workouts, as they wouldn’t allow your feet to flex and move in other formats. This would mean less stability and a greater chance of injury.

For other workouts at the gym, you want training shoes, which offer less structure and allow for a wider range of motion. This allows you to squat, turn, move side to side, and quickly adjust foot positioning for quick movements during HIT. 

If you like to perform regular workouts, as well as run for your cardio, it’s best to have both running and training shoes. 

You should wear running-specific shoes anytime you are running more than a mile. If running less, such as performing a quick warm-up on a treadmill, then training shoes might be fine.

If you plan to run longer than a mile on the treadmill then bring both pairs of shoes to the gym and switch back and forth as needed. 

Different Types of Shoes to Consider

Before buying a pair of running and training shoes, however, consider these factors to help you select the best pairs.

Where will you be running? Running on a treadmill is different from running on a paved trail or sidewalk. And running on a sidewalk is different from running on the road, which is different from running on a trail.

If you do a little bit of each then one generalized shoe would suffice. But if you do a lot of treadmill running or a lot of trail running, you want running shoes built specifically for that terrain for maximum performance and longevity.

Likewise, training shoes will differ depending on if you train indoors or outdoors, and what types of workouts you focus on. General training shoes work well for basic workouts, while specific shoes might be encouraged for higher-intensity workouts like CrossFit. 

Empowered to Exercise 

Training shoes vs. running shoes, now you know the difference. Utilizing both types of shoes is important for maximizing your personal performance as well as preventing strain and injury.

If you are serious about your exercise, then having multiple pairs of shoes is a small price to pay.