A quick yes or no doesn’t fit the question any more than one shoe size would fit every foot.
Give today’s shoe manufacturers’ the credit for employing the best and the brightest scientists and engineers to design and manufacture highly specialized shoes for almost every fitness activity.
Of course you can walk in your running shoes but if you walk more than, say 30 minutes a day, then your feet will know the difference between having worn running shoes and walking shoes. Walking shoes are different from running shoes. Walking shoes are more flexible in the center. The natural walking gait is heel to toe. As the heel strikes the ground your foot rolls gently forward. Stiff shoes hinder the gentle roll and place a strain on your foot muscles that a good walking shoe will not.
Walking shoes and running shoes differ on heel height and construction also. Running shoe heels are higher than those found in shoes made for a walking gait. Again, the lower walking shoe heel better accomodates the gentle roll of the foot from heel to toe.
The reverse is true also. Walking shoes would hinder the performance of the long distance runner because they are not made to cushion the foot in a slightly forward center of gravity alignment.
Modern shoes are engineering marvels. Take advantage of the technology with a pair of the best walking shoes. My choice: Saucony ProGrid Stabil LE.
