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Training shoes are designed to support a range of movements, such as jumping, stopping, breaking, cutting, and changing direction quickly. But can you wear training shoes casually?
Training shoes are great for many different types of workouts, and you can see many people wearing them in the gym. However, you see more and more people wearing training shoes casually, going out with friends, getting food, or going shopping.
I have worked for years with footwear in retail, and I have seen many customers buying training shoes with the intent of wearing them to go out and not to work out. So often received the question: can you wear training shoes casually? Well, let’s find out.
What Are Training Shoes Used For?
Training shoes are constructed for different types of activities, such as strength training, weightlifting, aerobic and anaerobic conditioning.
A few activities where training shoes are used:
- Gym classes
- Fitness boot camps
- Cross fit
- Jumping
- Squats
- Lunging
- Deadlifts
- Speed training
- Agility training
- Bench presses
- Short distances on the treadmill
- Some racquets sports
Many athletes and gym users wear training shoes because they offer high impact protection, a cushioned sole, and are more durable, but it all depends on the training shoe type you choose. Today you have many different styles of training shoes, according to what activity you want to pursue.
Read: How Many Pairs Of Shoes Should A Man Own?
You can also wear training shoes for multiple activities simultaneously since they are versatile sneakers that support multi-directional movements. However, customers were purchasing training shoes to wear casually and not for specific sports activities. As a result, some sports brands started to make more stylish training shoes because they saw an opportunity. This takes me to the question: can you wear training shoes casually or not?
Can You Wear Training Shoes Casually?
Yes, you can wear training shoes casually. If you look around in a park, commute to work, or wherever you are, you will probably see someone wearing casual clothes and a pair of training sneakers. This is because training shoes became more than just for your workout. They became fashionable for many.
A few reasons why some people wear training shoes with casual clothes it’s because they are more comfortable and offer more support than some casual trainers. For others, being in style is fundamental, and they don’t think training shoes are fashionable enough for their outfits. It’s all a matter of perspective.
Go check some of the biggest sports brand names globally like Nike, Adidas, or New Balance, and check their training shoes (sometimes they name it lifestyle trainers). Some of them look chicer than others. Of course, when it comes to fashion, you want to check the colors and style of the shoe, but when it comes to working out, you should worry about the features.
Read: How Much Do Shoes Weigh?
I have worn training sneakers casually for everyday wear in the past because I found them much more comfortable than most shoes I had. My style was also very sportive because I was doing a sports degree and working as a personal trainer in a gym. So you can wear your training sneakers if you are in the sports area. However, you always should have in your mind a few rules to do it so, like the ones I share beneath.
Think About The Occasion
Casual wear is basically synonymous with wearing comfortable clothes like jeans, t-shirts, sweaters. You can wear training sneakers with them.
Don’t confuse casual wear and business casual wear as being the same thing, because like when you’re wearing formal wear, you shouldn’t wear training shoes with business casual wear. Never wear training shoes with shirts or suits, because you will look ridiculous.
Read: How To Find Shoes From A Picture?
It would be best to think about how colorful some training shoes are, and they need some specific outfit colors to match. Check for complementary colors or contrasting ones when choosing your outfit.
Wear The Right Pants
Training shoes look great if you wear them with a sporty look like sweatpants, tracksuits, training bottoms, or even jeans (tapered style looks the best). However, you should never wear training sneakers with chinos or dress pants.
Read: How Much Height Do Shoes Add?
Avoid any chino shorts, but wear the training sneakers with sporty or denim shorts when it comes to this style, and the temperatures are warmer.
Wear The Right Socks
If you are wearing training shoes casually, you need to wear the right socks. I would personally wear ankle or no-show socks since they both look great. I know some people like to tuck their pants inside their socks, so the crew socks can do the job.
Try to avoid wearing long socks or dress socks since they both represent a more formal way of dressing, and training shoes are very sportive. Don’t forget that the color of your socks should match the color of your pants.
Why Should You Not Wear Training Shoes Casually
I started thinking about why I would avoid wearing training shoes casually, and two reasons came up. They can be costly, and you will need to replace them more often than you should.
They Can Be Expensive
Training shoes can be very expensive depending on the brand you buy and the features the shoe has. Of course, the more features the shoe has, the more expensive it will be. Some training shoes are made of more expensive materials or have features that provide more or less shock absorption, more support, or more stability.
Now, do you want to spend over $150 on a pair of shoes with many unique features just to wear them casually? Of course, they will be perfect to wear at the gym, but you probably want to wear a cheaper pair for casual wear. The reason why I say this takes me to my next point.
You Will Need To Replace Them More Often
If you wear your training shoes all the time, you will need to replace them more often. This is because the shoe lifespan can be affected by where you walk, how you walk, how long, and the weather. So the fact that you wear your training shoes casually and also in the gym will make their lifespan short, and you will have to replace them quickly.
Some people have a pair of training shoes just to the gym and another pair of training sneakers to wear casually. This will ensure your gym shoes last longer, and you don’t need to replace them so fast since they will not lose the shock absorption and cushioning features. Do the same if you are wearing running shoes casually, or you wearing cross training shoes on daily basis.
Common Questions About Can You Wear Training Shoes Casually
These are the most common questions about if you can wear training shoes casually or not.
Can We Use Training Shoes For Daily Use?
Yes, you can wear training shoes daily since they have good cushioning and support multi-directional movements. You just need to ensure you have the right outfit for it, the fitting pants and socks, and it’s a casual wear occasion.
What Do You Wear Training Shoes For?
You can wear training shoes for different types of activities, such as strength training, weightlifting, aerobic and anaerobic conditioning. You can also wear them if you find them fashionable.
Can You Walk In Nike Training Shoes?
Yes, you can wear Nike training shoes for walking, because they are designed to suit many different sports activities, like walking, running, jumping, etc. However, if you are walking more than 5 miles, I would probably stick with a pair of walking or running shoes since they are designed to avoid premature foot fatigue.
Can You Wear Training Shoes For Hiking?
Yes, you can hike with training sneakers, but I would choose better footwear. Look for sturdy waterproof shoes with a solid grip, good support, and protection from rocks. Unfortunately, most training shoes don’t possess all these features.
Conclusion On Can You Wear Training Shoes Casually
Can you wear training shoes casually? The answer is yes, you can, but you need to be smart about it. Try to have a pair of training shoes for training and another one to wear casually. This way, you will not need to replace them so often since the shoe will keep most of its features for a longer time.
When wearing training shoes casually, always ensure you wear them with the right pair of pants and socks on the right occasions. Keep these suggestions in mind, and you will be fine casually rocking your training shoes.
