You would never go for a jog in high heels. No one goes for a hike in the mountains wearing nice dress shoes or flip-flops. You shouldn’t play sports in clogs or other backless footwear, either—unless you’re trying to get hurt. People understand that running, team sports, and other athletic activities require special athletic shoes. These shoes are specifically designed to handle the stresses and strains on your feet.
Choosing the Right Kind of Shoes
Not all shoes are made equal. You can see this in any shoe store. There are hundreds of different styles and brands, some of which are better for your activities than others. The kind of shoe that will work best for you depends largely on how you plan to use it.
Running shoes are not made the same way as soccer cleats. They purposely have different designs to meet your feet’s needs during each sport. Some activities require lots of jumping or repetitive pounding on hard surfaces, while others involve lots of twists, turns, and sudden stops or starts. Before you choose athletic shoes, know how you’re going to use them and select a style and brand that will match.
Fit Matters
Once you’ve choose your type of shoe, you need a style that will fit well. Whether you’ve chosen cleats, cross-trainers, or cheerleading sneakers, if the shoe doesn’t fit, it won’t help you much. Footwear that is too tight, too loose, or doesn’t support you in the right places can actually contribute to injuries. You need to have prospective shoes properly fitted before you buy.
To get the best fit, visit the shoe store towards the end of the day, when your feet are at their largest. Have your feet measured before selecting a size. They can flatten or expand somewhat as you age, so you might need a different size than you think.
While wearing the same kinds of socks that you plan to wear for your activities, try the shoe on. It should have plenty of room in the front for your toes to wiggle and spread somewhat. You should have roughly half an inch of space between the end of your shoe and the tip of the longest toe on your longest foot. Your heel shouldn’t slip out of the back when you walk around, but it shouldn’t be pinched in place, either.
You need the shoe to fit your foot type as well. Flat feet and high arches need different kinds of support to help them better absorb shock and avoid injuries.
Podiatry Associates, P.C. Recommendations
The quality of the shoes you choose does matter, particularly if you want footwear to last. That’s why our office recommends athletic shoes from Brooks. These high-quality styles come with a wide variety of supportive types that can be fitted to your feet. They’re also made from quality material and are an asset to any kind of runner, walker, or other athlete. That’s why we carry this brand in our own Shoe Center. If you’re looking for the perfect pair of athletic shoes, let our experts fit you with a pair.
Finding athletic footwear can be a challenge, but it shouldn’t be impossible. Don’t settle for shoes that could contribute to injuries rather than prevent them. Invest in the right pair the first time—your feet will thank you for it. If you’d like help finding or fitting footwear, just make an appointment at Podiatry Associates, Inc. in Castle Pines, Cherry Creek, Parker, or Aurora CO. You can reach us by calling (303) 805-5156 or by using our website.
Photo Credit: Sura Nualpradid via FreeDigitalPhotos.net