What kind of athletic shoe should I buy?

Buying athletic shoes is not as simple as it might seem at the outset. When you take into account all the contributing factors in the decision-making process, it suddenly becomes far more complex than you’d think at first glance. Why are you buying them? What purpose will you be using them for? How heavy are the shoes? Do they offer enough support to prevent your feet from fatiguing?

The sooner you are able to familiarise yourself with the ins and outs of the shoe industry, the easier it will be to navigate these particular challenges.

Walking and Running Shoes – how do you distinguish between them?

In your quest for finding the perfect pair of shoes for sale, the biggest mistake you can make is to assume that all shoes are the same. Just because they are broadly classed under sports shoes, doesn’t mean that they are automatically multipurpose. Nike shoes are designed for running, without going into too much diversification. The single-minded focus on running means that the company has been able to focus on one kind of shoe, and in doing so, have managed to do it well.

Buying a pair of shoes based on the assumption that all shoes can do the job equally well, is an almost guaranteed way to ensure injury and fatigue. Wearing shoes for the incorrect reasons will give rise not only to sore and swollen feet and ankles, but can also result in back pains due to body alignment being affected.

What does your shoe offer you?

Running shoes are designed around the principles of providing adequate padding, breathability to counteract the heightened body temperature that occurs as a result of the physical exertion of running, and enough stability to provide shock absorption to protect the joints.

Walking shoes are designed for less impact, but require a lot more stability, particularly around the heel and ankle. Leather is often used to produce these shoes, as it is resilient and very protective.

Getting around the pronation problem

Overpronation is a foot condition that occurs when you have lower arches, also known as flat feet. Those who are afflicted by this condition often experience pain and injuries during running. Luckily, it is easily remedied by the use of the right shoes, and the pain will soon be gone.

On the other hand, underpronation is a condition that tends to affect those with very high arches, which causes the feet to roll outwards. This is remedied by wearing shoes with padded soles, which provide additional support to the feet.

So what does this come down to?

Buying the right shoe for the job will go a very long way in preventing injuries to your feet and spine. If you want to ensure the perfect fit, make sure to try on your shoes towards the end of the day, as that will help you gauge the fit when the feet are at their most swollen. Trying on shoes on fresh feet can result in buying a pair that is too small, which will pinch when the feet naturally swell during the day.