Do you really need special walking shoes, or is that just a clever plot by shoe companies to sell us more sneakers? Maybe you've been wondering: are running shoes good for walking? The short answer is … yes, kind of. Technically you can use running shoes for walking, but there are some important differences between running shoes and walking shoes that are actually worth knowing. And depending on what kind of running shoes you own—and the kind of walk you're planning—you might want to think over what's on your feet.