Sandals and running shoes have their similarities and differences. Both provide some sort of comfort and protection for your foot (or most of it). Often they are used to make a statement about your self, usually for stylisitic purposes. Likewise, sandals and shoes can be marketed, advertised and sold to the public and usually sold in the same stores. However, shoes and sandals also have their differences. The most obvious would be that sandals are meant to be worn in the summer when the weather is warmer. The warmer seasons make wearing sandals a more practical decision as they can be warn on the beach, in the water where there is less risk of them being ruined unlike runners, and when the weather is hot. Running shoes are designed to be used for more athletic uses, for say, running! They provide better support more often for your feet than a sandal would in athletic situations. The biggest difference in my personal opinion would be that runners are worn with socks, and sandals should never be! It is not only impractical, but makes the wearer look quite silly.