The main difference training vs running shoes have is that training shoes are designed for multi-directional movement. While running shoes are designed for forward movement. Dedicated training shoes have flatter and more flexible soles to allow a wide range of motion. While running shoes have higher and more cushioned heels to absorb shock and impact.
Training shoes are suitable for gym workouts, strength training, and agility exercises. While running shoes are suitable for long distance runs, sprints, and tracks.
Training Shoes vs Running Shoes
We’re talking about running shoes vs what some people call court shoes and why you should always want to play pickleball in court shoes. You know shoes are like tools; you need different tools for different projects—equally different shoes for different activities.
So, let’s look at the differences between running shoes and court shoes used for playing pickleball.
It is important to wear the right type of shoes for your activity. As wearing the wrong shoes can cause discomfort, lower performance, and injuries. You should also consider your foot shape, your personal preference, and your budget when choosing your shoes. I hope this helps you understand the difference between training shoes and running shoes.
Moreover, we’re going to talk about why those construction attributes play into different performances. And why would you wear a running shoe? why would you wear a training shoe? and what are they actually designed to do?
What Are Running Shoes?
Running and walking shoes are designed to help you go straight forward. That’s your motion heel-toe, you’re not moving a lot from side to side when you’re running.
If you’re running in a straight line or a slight curve and this design is made to support that. It has much more cushion in the heel because when you’re slamming down on those multiple steps you get more cushioning going up your bones.
Usually, the upper material is much lighter and more breathable. That’s because you don’t need as much support there on the side of the Shoes.
You need the support on the bottom that’s why they’re made to be much more flexible. So, when you’re going to that heel-toe motion and pushing off with that toe when you run. That’s what they’re designed for to support your forward motion.
What Are Trainers/Court Shoes?
When you’re playing Volleyball, pickleball even basketball. Most of your movement actually is from side to side and less running straight forward. So, you need a lot more lateral support on court for playing than you do in a running shoe.
You’ve got all that extra lateral Support. You’ll see how much heavier that is on the side of the shoe. You’re also giving up some flexibility but you don’t need that flexibility, you need stability.
Because you need to be able to push off the right way and push off the left way. Also more surface area that you have in contact with the shoe the better off you are.
You shouldn’t be wearing running shoes when you’re playing pickleball. Get yourself a good pair of pickleball shoes or multi purpose court shoes first and foremost think about your Safety. These shoes are safer to use on the court and much less likely to catch on an edge and sprain your ankle.
Secondarily it might even help your overall game. So, if your lateral movement is better your game might be better.
Difference Between Running Shoes And Court Shoes – (Outsoles)
Let’s talk about basic difference between training vs running shoes. The treads that you have on a running shoe versus the treads on court shoes. The running shoe treads are cut much more deeply into the sole and they’re cut with ridges across your shoe. Such that it’s going to Grip pulling you forward.
Running Shoe Outsole
Training Shoe Outsole
Now the problem with This is when you’re playing pickleball with shoes like this. The grip is always going to want to pull you forward and you don’t get a lot of sideways Grip. Also the sole tends to be fairly sharp on the sides.
If you’re trying to move side to side there is a risk that you can catch the edge of a running shoe. It can cause you to trip and fall. The treads on a court shoe are much smoother and they’re not cut as deep.
They are typically cut in a diamond-shaped Pattern or herringbone or squiggly-shaped pattern. That’s traditionally what you’ll see in a court shoe. The other difference is the edges are Rolled. They’re not sharp, they are made for moving side to side where you’re pushing off and when you drag that foot.
Running Vs Pickleball
When you think about running versus pickleball, there’s also a difference in the posture you maintain in running versus playing pickleball. Longer distance runners most of the time are very much upright trying to keep their bodies centered and balanced as they’re running. But when you’re playing pickleball, your position is ready.
You’re always down with your paddle ready because you need to move from one side to the other side. So, again when you think about running it’s the heel-toe action and when you think about playing pickleball, it’s on the balls of your feet moving from side to side more.
Conclusion
So, running shoes are designed to run forward with the heel-to-toe motion and it requires more heel and midsole cushioning. They’re lightweight and flexible but they have less lateral support and the sole edges tend to be sharp. Court shoes are designed to support the forward and quick side-to-side movement. There’s less cushioning but that improves court feel. They’re heavier with more lateral support and the sole edges tend to be more curved. So, you’re less likely to catch an edge and sprain an ankle. The tennis shoes are really far superior for pickleball than running or walking shoes.
