How to choose the right sports shoes. Choosing shoes for sports. What to look for
Times when purchasing sports shoes only the athletes were interested, passed. Now sneakers and any other footwear of this kind are an integral part of the wardrobe of any office worker or just a city dweller who loves to spend his free time in nature. In addition, in recent years there has been a clear trend towards a healthy lifestyle. If you are looking after your own health, then you need to look for the appropriate shoes in a sports store. At the same time, it is necessary to understand in advance that high-quality sneakers simply cannot be cheap, and you will have to spend a lot on the purchase.
How to choose the right sports shoes
If you are planning to purchase sports shoes on the Internet, then this should be done only if it can be tried on before buying! Sport shoes must definitely sit well on the leg, fix the foot, while you should not feel uncomfortable. Also, sports shoes should not slip. An important point is that the shoes must match in size, and experts even recommend going shopping for shoes in the late afternoon - at this time, the legs swell a little, become a little larger, and this allows you to find the best option. You'll like it? You are here: http://www.ecco-shoes.ru/men/shoes/sneakers/
When you try on sports shoes, then you should do this in combination with those socks that you will use later. The same applies to orthopedic insoles. Before buying, you need to walk around in shoes, run and bounce - to make sure that the shoes fit your feet perfectly.
Sport shoes must necessarily have shock-absorbing characteristics, which minimizes the load placed on the feet. The traditional form of shock absorbers is either air cushions or special springs placed under the toes and heels. Their presence simplifies both running and pushing off the ground in general. Of course, sports shoes should be chosen according to the season. In summer, lightweight models that do not retain either moisture or air will look best; for winter, it would be wise to choose a stable insulated model. For indoor work, choose perforated athletic shoes to avoid fogging.
Please note that the purchased sports shoes need to be changed regularly. The fact is that the products, getting used to it, simply cease to implement their own basic functions. The foot is fixed worse, it becomes less comfortable to wear shoes, all this affects health not from the best side. So choose your sports shoes wisely and change them on time!
Today it has become quite popular to lead a healthy lifestyle: fitness, jogging, gym, yoga. Each type of training requires specific equipment. This article will focus on the selection of athletic shoes.
It would seem that it could be easier: come to a supermarket of sporting goods and buy your favorite pair of sneakers, sneakers or sports ballet flats. In fact, the choice of footwear for sports should be taken seriously. After all, improperly selected sneakers can cost you not only wasted money, but also enormous discomfort during classes, which in the future can cause varicose veins. By the way, experienced trainers of fitness clubs advise to purchase several pairs of sports shoes, one of which should be purely training, while the second you can use in between intense sports.
Choosing sports shoes
First of all, your trip to the store should take place in the afternoon, when your leg is slightly swollen and increased in size. Be sure to bring along a pair of socks in which you plan to workout. Experts have proven that a too thick toe increases the length of the foot by ½, and a thin one by about ¼.
Manufacturers of sports shoes recommend buying special size shoes, and sneakers should fit like a glove, provided that you measure the shoes on a training toe. It should not be narrow or, conversely, too loose, so you run the risk of rubbing the corn immediately after the first session.
There is an opinion that it is better to buy sports shoes half a size larger, so, they say, natural air exchange is not disturbed. Reputable sports brands and their managers completely debunk this theory. Since in the production of training shoes, special synthetic materials are used, which provide ventilation, and not free space in the sneaker.
It is better to buy sports shoes in specialized stores that have proven themselves in cooperation with well-known brands. It should be noted that quality footwear cannot be cheap.
First of all, before buying, be sure to decide what kind of sport you plan to do. Each type of training implies a completely different load on the foot. It is this factor that will become fundamental when choosing sports shoes.
· Running shoes should be light, almost "weightless", the only way you provide comfort to your feet while jogging. Pay attention to the outsole, which is lightweight and flexible in quality running shoes. The outer part is ribbed and moisture resistant. Uneven outsole will give you better traction on the trail, and moisture resistance will keep your feet from getting wet in wet weather. Also, the outsole of the running shoe is equipped with air cushions in the toe and heel for cushioning.
Running shoes
· Fitness shoes must be high. This design will provide excellent ankle support and prevent possible injuries and dislocations. Fitness sneakers are usually equipped with an air cushion in the toe area.
Fitness sneakers
· Tennis shoes - leather, with a reinforced curved back. Only genuine leather is able to take the shape of the wearer's leg; laces will provide additional fixation. This shoe is equipped with a special zigzag tread that provides maximum traction on the court.
Tennis shoes
· Football boots - special low-top sneakers equipped with huge spikes. These shoes are suitable for playing and training on natural and hard surfaces, providing optimal traction on the lawn.
Football boots
· Basketball shoes - these are high-top sneakers - all-rounders "shocks", ideally sitting on the foot, equipped with a mechanical shock absorption system. It is these models that make it possible to overcome gravity for a few moments. And what else is needed in basketball for the coveted jump near the hoop? But do not forget about the good old classics of basketball, sneakers, which many professional players prefer to "air" sneakers.
Basketball shoes
Characteristics of sports shoes
· Top material... Training shoe manufacturers have long been using synthetic mesh materials as the material. Such footwear ensures normal perspiration and air exchange. Another plus: such sneakers for sports are much more practical than leather models. The toe is firm but elastic. The back is always hard.
· Lining material - only fabric. In good shoes, it's cotton.
· Insoleshould be removable so that the owner of the shoe always has the opportunity to dry it after an intense workout. In high-quality shoes, the insole is equipped with a silicone instep support that supports the arch of the foot.
· Solecan be different - grooved, voluminous, equipped with spikes and shock absorbers. It is "different" for each sport. If you have read the second part of the article, it will be easier to decide which one you need. The main thing is that the sole is bent in the area of the base of the toes.
Remember, quality sports shoes will last you a long time. And your legs after training will only feel a surge of strength, not fatigue.
The world is experiencing an unprecedented surge in the popularity of sneakers: now they are worn with literally everything and with everything. Sneakers have become legitimate even where no one would have thought to wear them before - for example, at a theatrical premiere.
Sneakers sneakers strife! We share tips on how to choose the right quality sports shoes that will not be drifting.
1. Base your choice on a specific sport
Basketball shoes are designed for playing basketball. Tennis shoes are designed for tennis. Running shoes are designed for running, while hiking shoes are designed for trekking. This isn't a gimmick of the garment industry to get you to buy more shoes - every sport does require a different kind of shoe.
Manufacturers try to make sports shoes as useful as possible, so that they help the athlete and facilitate his actions.
It is important that you choose your footwear based on the sport you intend to do.
If you do 2-3 sports, it is better to have 2-3 pairs of shoes for each than one "universal" trainer.
Basketball shoes
2. Change shoes depending on the time of wearing
One of the worst things you can do for your body is to continue wearing a pair of old athletic shoes. Shoes are designed to provide support for your feet and ankles, but once the inner cushioning layer breaks down, your entire body suffers the consequences.
The American Podiatric Academy, specialized in sports medicine, offers the following tips for deciding whether to replace shoes:
After about 450 to 600 kilometers of running or walking.
After about 45 to 60 hours of playing basketball, aerobic dancing, tennis, or other active sports.
When there is any significant wear in the midsole, the shoe looks uneven when placed on a flat surface.
Even if you don't regularly wear sneakers, it is worth replacing them after a year of ownership because they can experience environmental wear and tear even when they are not actually used.
If you are very active, you may need to change your shoes every couple of months. It can be expensive, but if it saves on health care costs down the road, then it’s worth it.
3. Decide on a budget
Athletic shoes range in price from $ 20 to over $ 200. The last thing any user wants to see is a large bill for shoes before checkout, simply because the impulse brought them straight to the checkout.
The main thing is to approach wisely, many studies show that on average, for $ 80-100, shoes are no different from very expensive serial shoes.
4. Consult
Despite the fact that you always wore size 35 and it was always right for you - it is better to consult the seller before choosing. It's not just the size of the leg, the size of the arch, the level of support required - it's all important.
Good stores don’t spare money for professional consultants to help you choose the right shoes in which your feet will not hurt or get tired quickly.
5. Try not to shop based on the brand
It shouldn't matter if you like Nike sneakers more than any other sports brand in the world - if it can't offer the right shoes for your feet, your fit, or your sport. When shopping for athletic shoes, be sure to try on a few different brands. You may be surprised to know that the shoes that fit you best are actually from a brand that you have never worn before.
6. Shop for shoes at the end of the day
At the end of the day, your legs are swollen. So, coming to the store in the evening and trying on shoes, you will understand that now your legs are as big as possible. It is better to buy shoes a little more than a little less, because there is a high probability that during training such sneakers will press and will be unpleasant to work in them.
7. Wear the socks in which you intend to practice
When you go to the store for sneakers, be sure to wear the socks in which you will be practicing. They will help you avoid unpleasant problems, for example, with a low toe, the heel of the sneaker can chafe your foot. If you wear too tight, the ventilation of the foot will be insufficient and the legs will sweat more.
8. Use the "rule of thumb"
If you've ever worn smaller shoes in your life, you know how unpleasant and painful it is. Therefore, when choosing and buying shoes, always try to leave a little space in front of your thumb. It is advisable that the amount of this space is sufficient so that you can rotate your finger around the circle almost freely and without interference.
9. Choose a day off for shopping in order to have time to try on a lot of shoes
You should try to try on at least 8 different pairs of sneakers before deciding to buy. It is usually difficult for people with non-standard sizes to find even 2-3 pairs, so it is important to visit several stores.
Especially if you have waited for the moment when your old shoes are badly worn out. Having tried on several options of different brands, you can choose the one that is comfortable for yourself.
Take photos of how this or that pair of shoes sits on your foot, so as not to forget which one you liked more and which one less.
10. Ask the store about the return and warranty.
Please check the store's return policy before heading home with your new trainers. Some online retailers give customers up to 30 days to return their shoes, even if they have been worn. It will be terrifying to find out when you get home that shoes that seemed to fit in the store are not so comfortable, and it is not possible to return them to the store.
And in conclusion
While fashion shouldn't be a factor in choosing the right athletic shoes, it's no shame to admit that it does matter. It is not scary if you stop at buying a certain pair of shoes in a certain color scheme, if the model is your favorite and is available, it fully corresponds to your preferences. Sometimes online retailers may not have an item in stock, but they can order the one you want and ship it on site free of charge.
Aug 9, 2016 Sergey
The foot is a natural shock absorber. It is on the foot that the load goes when walking and running. Naturally, playing sports involves an active load. According to statistics, more than 75% of men and women go in for sports in shoes that are not designed for this type of load, which leads to injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Each sport involves a different load on the foot. Moreover: each foot is individual.
How to choose the right sports shoes?
Orthopedic tips will help here:
- Choose shoes that are designed for the sport you are doing. Running in big spiked shoes or jumping in gym shoes will not only prevent your foot from distributing the load properly, but it can also contribute to injury.
- Your foot is different. Many people have high arches or flat feet: both require a special insole. In any case of a deviation of the foot from the norm, it is worth consulting an orthopedic doctor.
- The width of the shoe and the thickness of the ankle are also individual concepts: the shoes should not dangle on the foot. This flaw cannot be corrected with tight lacing.
- Don't use tight shoes. If you cannot insert your toe between the heel and the foot, then the shoe is small: with active movement, blood rushes to the foot, and its size increases.
- A good way to adapt shoes to fit your foot is to order special individual orthopedic insoles from an orthopedic surgeon. They will help to more correctly distribute the load.
- As a rule, sports shoes with a shock-absorbing effect are designed for an athlete's weight up to 90 kg. If your weight is more, then you already need special shoes.
- Do not wear specialized athletic shoes (such as tennis or football boots) in your daily life: they provide comfort on the playground, but are not suitable for long-term walking, which may be associated with leg health problems.
- Shoes for the gym are not very suitable for outdoor use: they wear out quickly and do not protect the foot in case of relief drops and on stone ground.
Footwear requirements for various sports.
Run.
Running creates a concussion that puts stress on the joints and spine. Therefore, the outsole of running shoes should be firm, soft and at least 2cm thick, tapering towards the toe. A good weight distribution function is performed by an air cushion and silicone in the outsole.
Naturally, shoes should be lightweight, but almost all sports shoe manufacturers take this into account.
A flat outsole requires extra heel pad and heel stiffness, while a high arch requires improved cushioning.
High-top sneakers (above the ankle) are not suitable for running.
For indoor or outdoor running, you can get by with a thinner, ribbed sole, while trail running on a variety of terrain requires a grooved outsole for increased traction and good lateral support.
Fitness classes.
A fitness shoe should meet the same requirements as a running shoe, but the outsole can be softer and thinner. In the gym, there is rarely cold, therefore it is important that the sneakers do not float feet: the mesh or porous surface of the shoe will allow the foot to "breathe" better.
These same sneakers are well suited for everyday walking.
Tennis.
Today's tennis shoes are more robust than before, thus providing better protection against injury. Such shoes require good lateral support (the main range of motion is left and right) and rigid fixation of the foot. But the weight of such sneakers can be slightly higher than for running.
The sole of a tennis shoe should bend well only in the toe - this is important for jumping up, and in other places it should be flat, uniform, more or less firm. The optimal height is ankle-deep.
Basketball.
Basketball shoes are designed for jumping up, so they need to be high and protect the ankle. Special inserts provide lateral fixation. Sneakers should fit snugly and not wobbly.
As a rule, basketball shoes provide for the load in the gym, and are not suitable for everyday wear due to the peculiarities of fixing the foot and the banal premature wear of the sole.
The wide outsole will improve traction and reduce slippage.
Football.
Football boots are also specific non-casual shoes. Large cleats maximize traction and minimize the twist required during normal walking. Football boots are not easy to choose due to the fact that there is practically no gap left in them: if the leg is swollen in the evening, then the shoes may already be small.
Choosing the right size is especially important: there should be a clearance of at least 5 mm from the longest toe to the toe of the boot.
Offsetting the lacing to the side, like on some models, helps better ball control.
The cleat spike placement should be comfortable: be sure to move around when trying on the boot to see if the cleat spike position is in the way.
Sneakers are absolutely universal shoes for all occasions. They come in a wide variety of models and materials. What do you need to know in order not to be mistaken with their choice?
Purpose, time and place of purchase
You shouldn't go to the clothing market for real sneakers. You won't find them there. Only in a good sports or shoe store, or in a company store that sells clothes and footwear of famous brands.
Decide on the amount you are willing to pay for them. Of course, you won't buy anything good for 300 rubles. It will just be thrown away money. Prices for real sneakers start somewhere from two thousand, however, you can save up to 50, or even 70% by purchasing a model from last year's collection. You may have to wait for the discount period for this.
What are they for you?
Before going to the store, think carefully about why you need sneakers - for running, for fitness, for playing football, or simply you will wear them as casual shoes. Whatever the purpose of the sneaker, it should be as light as possible, otherwise it will impede your movement.
Running and jumping shoes must have shock absorbers under the heel and toe. This reduces the compression load on the spine and joints. A soft foam cushion on the back will help keep calluses on your feet. If you are buying walking shoes, then reflective stripes are useful. They will increase your safety on the street several times.
If sneakers are intended for sports activities in the hall, then their sole can be almost flat, with not very deep, but quite frequent wavy relief. These sneakers are less slippery, and even on a wet floor, there is little chance of slipping and falling. Sneakers for walking on rough terrain should have a porous structure of the sole and convex protectors, and for winter running - a thick sole made of material that does not harden in the cold, embossed enough so that the foot does not slip in them, and an insulated upper so that it does not freeze.
It is also important what their top is made of. Traditionally, genuine leather is considered the best material, although today artificial materials also successfully compete with it. For example, mesh synthetic fabric. For the summer, this is ideal. True, in the rain, sneakers with such a top get wet, but in dry weather you simply won't feel them on your feet. They are lightweight, comfortable and breathable. Modern synthetic materials are also good for sneakers, it is not cheap leatherette! They are quite wear-resistant, sometimes even stronger than leather. These sneakers will last you long enough. Just pay attention to whether there is perforation in them. If not, your feet will sweat a lot. However, today manufacturers often combine these materials: imitation leather capes, mesh inserts on the sides, a foam heel trimmed with soft natural leather. People with impressive builds need tougher sneakers, while thin people need softer ones.
It's worth looking at how well the outsole of your chosen pair flexes, as well as whether it has a raised toe and a sloped back. Also note what material the midsole is made of. In good expensive models, it is made from ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) or super ethyl vinyl acetate (SpEVA). The name of these materials should be indicated on the label. They make the shoe more durable, increase its durability and prevent the outsole from deforming under heavy loads. To make the heel of the sneakers more springy, special cans filled with compressed air or a special gel are placed in it.
Take a look inside the shoe: what's the insole? It should be removable, absorb perspiration well, and be made of a material that can be easily washed. Also, the insole should not crawl under the foot. And she should also have an instep support that supports the arch of the foot, which helps to more evenly distribute the load.
In no case should you buy Velcro sneakers, only the lacing can securely fix the leg and protect it from dislocation.
It is advisable to buy sneakers half a size larger than you usually wear. Be sure to try on the chosen model, and in the socks with which you intend to wear them. If possible, walk through them, jump. In no case should they press.