Shoes are a clothing accessory people wear from the time we learn to walk. Shoes are worn by both men and women, however there are different variations of shoes.
When it comes to buying shoes, you might be wondering what the difference is between shoes and sneakers. If you’re shopping or explaining the type of shoe you need, knowing what to look for is important.
Although shoes and sneakers are very similar, there are some important elements that differentiate the two types of footwear. Sneakers are a type of shoe, which can be used for sports and physical activities. However this is not always the case.
In this post I share what shoes are, what sneakers are and the difference between shoes and sneakers.
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Shoes
A shoe is a clothing item that is intended to protect and provide comfort for the human foot. Humans have been using shoes to protect their feet as early as 7000 BC.
Nowadays, shoes can be made from synthetic fiber, leather, canvas, plastic, suede and polyurethane.
Traditional shoes are often made with materials like leather and suede. Whereas lightweight shoes will be made with materials like plastic and synthetic fiber.
Shoes made with leather and suede, or vegan leather, are great for occasions when you’re required to dress nicely. Shoes made with lightweight materials are better for everyday wear, as they are more comfortable.
Most shoes use a rubber sole which is durable and offers protection against rough terrain and hard surfaces.
Shoes meant for everyday wear, often use soft soles made with foam or carbon rubber, which is more comfortable on the foot. However, the soft soles are less durable and won’t offer as much protection on rough terrain.
Recommended Types of Shoes:
- Oxford shoes
- Topsiders
- Derby shoes
- Slip-Ons
- Boat shoes
- Loafers
- Chukka boots
- Chelsea boots
Sneakers
Sneakers, also known as trainers, are shoes that are designed for physical activity as well as playing sports. In recent times, sneakers have become a big part of people’s everyday wear, since they are so comfortable.
Brands like Nike, Converse and Spalding popularized sneakers in the early to mid 20th century. Sneakers are typically made with synthetic materials. However, brands like Adidas and ON have began using more sustainable materials.
The name “sneakers” originates from the shoes being very quiet, due of their rubber soles. Thus making it easy to sneak up on others.
Over the years, there have been some timeless sneakers like the Adidas Stan Smith, Air Jordan 1 and Vans. These sneakers never go out of style because they are comfortable, versatile and they look good.
Right now, sneakers are dominating the shoe market and a lot of the best selling footwear in the world are sneakers. Brands like Nike, Adidas and New Balance have done a great job releasing sneakers that are stylish, comfortable and affordable.
Recommended Types of Sneakers:
- Adidas Stan Smith (tennis shoe)
- Adidas Ultraboost (running shoe)
- Air Jordan (basketball shoes)
- New Balance 550 (casual shoes)
- Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars (canvas shoes)
- On Cloudnova (lightweight shoes)
- Hoka Bondi 8 (walking shoe)
- Nike Metcon 8 (gym shoes)
What’s the Difference Between Shoes and Sneakers
The key difference between shoes and sneakers is that a shoe is a vague term for all footwear. Whereas sneakers is a term for running shoes, gym shoes and athletic shoes.
Generally, “sneakers” are a term used in North America. Outside of North America, sneakers are referred to as trainers, joggers or kicks.
A way that you can tell the difference between shoes and sneakers is by the shape, how comfortable they are and the material used.
Sneakers have a narrow shape in order to give them a sporty look. This is quite clear on shoes like Converse, Adidas Stan Smith and the Nike Air Max.
When you try on a pair of sneakers, you will be able to tell that they are sneakers based off of how comfortable they are.
The materials used on sneakers are usually synthetic materials with a rubber sole. However, sportswear brands have began incorporating reusable materials into their sneakers.
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Final Thoughts on The Difference Between Shoes and Sneakers
In short, there are a few key differences between shoes and sneakers.
The main differences are:
- Materials
- Style
- Comfort
- Shape
Knowing the difference between shoes and sneakers can come in handy when you’re shopping for a new pair of shoes. If you understand the difference between the two, you will have a better idea of what you are looking for when you go shoe shopping.
In this post, I share the what shoes are, what sneakers are and difference between shoes and sneakers.
What’s your favorite style of shoes? Please let me know in the comments below.