June 3, 2025
Read the Full Article at OUTDOOR MAGAZINE here!
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Dr. Geoffrey Gray from Heeluxe and running expert Jay Dicharry unpack why athleisure shoes—designed for everyday comfort—aren’t well-suited for serious running. Heeluxe’s lab data reveals that true running shoes offer about 31% softer cushioning than casual counterparts, leading to noticeably higher comfort—averaging 5.2 vs. 4.89 on a seven-point scale . Better fit is another key difference: 83% of running shoes earned a "normal" fit, compared to just 72% of casual shoes, which directly impacts performance. Dicharry adds that features like rockered midsoles and toe spring—standard in running shoes—support efficient forward motion and ankle push-off, which casual shoes generally lack .
Running in athleisure kicks comes with real risk—less cushioning means more impact stress on joints, tendons, and muscles. Heeluxe also finds that running shoes provide superior stability and material durability; their lab simulates 150 miles of wear in just five days to test resilience. Though some athleisure models do borrow premium midsoles or even carbon plates, they often lack the full tuning of traditional running shoes—so while they may look sporty, they're rarely optimized for performance or injury protection .
