Sports Footwear Advice
“What shoe is right for me?”
There are many different types of shoes that are available on the market but the question that is constantly asked is “What type of shoes is right for me?” and “How do I know if it is a good shoe?”
The answer depends on what the shoe is going to be used for. For example;
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The level of activity eg competitive or social
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The type of activity you need the shoe for
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You foot type
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Existing foot problems
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Your running style
A good shoe is designed to give your feet protection and to help prevent injury.
Below is a check list to go through before buying any new shoes for a sporting or recreational activity. If these requirements are met then you have the basics of a good shoe.
For further assistance in getting the right shoes consult one of our Foot Mechanics Podiatrists in store each week.
Free footwear gait analysis in-store, click to find a location near you.
Choosing a Sports Shoe - THE BASICS
Break Line
The shoe should NOT be able to be bent in half. The shoe should bend where the big toe joint would be. If the shoe does bend in half then there is no support for the midfoot and may cause arch pain in runners and walkers.
Heel Counter
The heel counter is the portion of the shoe which holds the heel in and helps prevent the foot from sliding around the shoe. This acts as a support to your foot. It helps to stabilize and maintain the position of the heel as the shoe contacts the ground. A stiff heel counter is recommended.
Midsole Material
This is a very important feature on a shoe. With sport shoes they should be made out of EVA as this material is light and has good shock absorbing properties. Sport shoes should NOT be made out of capped rubber. This has a honeycomb pattern and is very heavy and has poor shock absorption.
Torsion Strength
The shoe should NOT be able to be twisted around on itself.
Fit of the Shoe
The “rule of thumb”. You need to have 1 thumb width from the top of the shoe to the tip of the longest toe (this is usually the big toe but it can also be the second toe). The shoe should also be wide where your foot is wide, and narrow where your foot is narrow.
Foot Mechanics has brand partnerships with three athletic footwear companies;
We work with these companies as they have a proven track record in research and design to assist active people into shoes that will be comfortable and help prevent injury.