How do you know you’re buying the right sports shoes for you? The team at We Fix Feet have compiled some tips to help you choose the right trainers for you.
5 tips for buying the right sports shoes.
- Buy footwear designed for the activity you want to do. Running shoes are very flexible, they allow the foot to bend and flex through each step, they have increased shock absorption for when the heel strikes the ground and are designed for forward motion. Sports such as tennis, basketball and aerobics involve sideways stepping, and require shoes that provide greater sideways support.
- A common mistake is to buy trainers that are too small. Shoe manufacturers produce trainers designed for people with low arches and high arches. It’s vital that this is recognised so that you can buy the right shoe for the type of foot you have. Buy trainers from a shop where the staff are trained in fitting.
- The most important thing is that your sportswear is appropriate for your body and your workout.Choose a reputable manufacturer. Remember that an expensive designer label doesn’t always guarantee the best fit for your feet.
- If you have orthotic insoles, ensure you try on new footwear with your orthotics in place. This will confirm the trainers you choose will accommodate your orthotic insole comfortably, rather than it being an unwelcome costly surprise when you get home. Even new trainers alone can’t do the job of a bespoke orthotic insole, specifically prescribed by our footcare professionals.
- If you’re training every day, ideally have two pairs of trainers and alternate them to allow them to dry out over 24 hours.
What are the four main categories of sports shoes?
There is no single ‘best shoe’ – everyone has different needs. Your biomechanics, your weight, the surface you run on and obviously the shape of your feet – mean that one person’s ideal shoe can be uncomfortable for another person.
There are four main categories relating to sports shoes; stability, performance, neutral and minimalist.
Stability
They are recommended for runners who are mild to moderate overpronators and who generally have low to normal arches. These runners tend to need a shoe with a combination of good support and midsole cushioning.
Performance
Performance is recommended either for racing or, if you are biomechanically efficient, for training. They have varying degrees of support and cushioning.
Neutral
Recommended for runners who need maximum midsole cushioning and minimum medial support. These shoes are best for biomechanically efficient runners and midfoot or forefoot strikers with high or normal arches.
Minimalist
Recommended for the biomechanically efficient runner who wants maximum responsiveness and a stripped-down shoe while retaining an element of cushioning. Minimalist is the midpoint between neutral cushioned and performance shoes.
A biomechanical assessment may be beneficial, which involves an examination of the feet and lower limbs, looking at their structure, alignment, strengths and weaknesses.
If you are still unsure about buying the right sports shoes or you wish to have a general check, contact our footcare clinics in Beeston or Ilkeston.