Gone are the days of buying any kind of athletic shoes and using them for all the sports and activities you are involved in. Research has shown sport specific athletic shoes can help improve performance. Since different sports use different parts of your feet or require different motions, it’s important to know what kind of features to look for when buying athletic shoes.
Here are a few tips on selecting athletic shoes that are right for you:
Make sure to choose sport-specific athletic shoes
Different sports call for different footwear that can protect anywhere from your legs to your feet and ankles. For example, tennis shoes should have enough room for sliding side-to-side and should have padded toes to prevent injuries on short steps and quick stops. On the other hand, running shoes should be individually chosen depending on your weight, foot structure and the distances you run. Each sport has athletic shoes tailored for that sport’s specific movements and patterns.
Find a quality athletic shoes store
Since each person has differing foot structures and needs, finding a quality athletic shoes store with knowledgeable salespeople is key. These people can help determine whether you have a high or low arch or if you supinate or pronate when you exercise.
Choose your shoes based on comfort
Although choosing a shoe to match your sport or activity is important, comfort is the most important aspect to look for in buying athletic shoes. If a particular shoe is not comfortable, it is not going to help you perform better no matter what brand or features the shoe has. While selecting a shoe, you can find out if a shoe is comfortable enough by walking, running or even jumping with it on in the store. Many athletic shoe stores even have treadmills for you to try out shoes. Also, make sure to buy your athletic shoes at the end of the day, when your feet are the largest after bearing weight throughout the day.
Change your shoes often
Athletic shoes experience a lot of wear and tear even when it is not visually obvious. A shoe’s mid-sole is usually the first part of the shoe to go, degrading from frequent use and activity. For this reason, athletic shoes last on the average from 350-500 miles. However, after a shoe has reached the end of its competing life, the shoe can still have a useful purpose as a casual walking shoe. Just make sure to replace the sock-liner so the shoe continues to be cushy and comfortable. To prolong the life of your athletic shoes, wear them only while competing or participating in your sport.
Check your size each time you buy new athletic shoes
Some people’s feet continue to grow as they get older. Because of this, it’s a good idea to have both your feet measured every time you are selecting new athletic shoes. Also remember to try both shoes on when purchasing new shoes since a certain brand or kind of shoe may work well for one foot but not the other.
By Janelle Walker