Finding the Right Athletic Shoe for Your Workout

Whether you’re changing the way you exercise or just looking to buy new athletic shoes, you might need a little guidance in finding the right shoes for your workout. Here are some tips to make sure you get the best athletic shoes for your exercise situation (and for your feet.)

Different types of athletic shoes

• Walking shoes should have good flexibility and support the foot’s natural motion. Running or jogging shoes are not quite the same: runners and joggers put more pressure on their feet, so running shoes need more cushioning.
• There are also trail runners, designed for people who do a lot of running outdoors.
• Hiking boots are different from trail runners. Your hiking-boot selection will vary depending on the grade of your typical hike and the amount of gear you plan to carry.
• A new trend in running shoes are “minimalist” shoes, which emulate running barefoot. Barefoot runners use their feet differently than do runners in shoes with stronger soles, so expect some muscle soreness if you move to running in a minimalist shoe. Also, some people with flatter feet should not wear minimalist shoes.
• Tennis shoes come in different varieties: a harder court demands a sole with greater tread. You’ll need a shoe that’s flexible, yet supportive, for moving quickly back and forth on the tennis court.
• Basketball shoes usually have a stiff sole and a broad heel; a high-top shoe can help support your ankles during jumping.

Finding the right shoe

• Look for specialists for your type of workout. If you run regularly, for example, find a local running store, or see if running associations in your area can make recommendations. If you’re just getting started with a workout style or sport, you can ask an instructor or personal trainer for store recommendations.
• When you go to get your shoes, be honest and descriptive about what you need. If you go to a store that specializes in shoes for a particular sport, odds are they’ll have heard about every possible foot problem under the sun, and your feet will not be the widest, strangest, or weakest they have ever seen.
• Make sure to wear good socks when you try shoes on.
• Don’t expect a “break-in” period — if the shoe doesn’t feel right in the store, it still won’t after a few hours or days of wear. You should be able to move your toes in the shoe as soon as you put it on, for instance.
• Don’t use your athletic shoe as a casual, everyday shoe; it will wear out faster and not give you the support you expect.