You’re about to start a new exercise program, a new sports season, or you’ve just worn out your favorite pair of running shoes. It’s time for new shoes! Shoe shopping is usually an exciting adventure for most. You get to try on and check out new styles and designs from all your favorite shoe companies. This also presents a big dilemma because there is such a wide array of athletic shoes to choose from. You may find yourself asking questions like; Do I choose the most expensive or well-known brand? Do I experiment with a new brand to see if they can compete? Will these shoes provide me with the comfort and protection I need in a shoe? Or, if you’re like me, you buy your athletic shoes based on how they look and pay no attention to cost or function. I’ve actually bought shoes a half-size smaller just because I liked their appearance even though my size wasn’t available. Needless to say, my feet were NOT happy. I know I’m not the only one who makes shoe purchasing decisions this way. A study on factors determining athletic footwear design suggested to young buyers that “although the appearance is among the most important factors in making decision to purchase, athletic shoes, however, should be chosen by taking their functions into account for their suitability with particular types of sport”(Promjun et al., 2012). Basically, their advice is to buy shoes because they will be able to handle the wear and tear of whatever athletic activity you’ll be partaking in and not just because you think they look good.
Tips for finding the right athletic shoe
- Choose a shoe that fits your foot. This seems pretty obvious but don’t follow my lead in ignoring shoe size for the sake of fashion. A shoe that is too big can cause various injuries because your foot isn’t being supported properly and shoes that are too small can cause severe foot pain and injury because your foot is being constricted. Finding a shoe that supports the type of foot you have is also important. If you have flat feet, you’re going to need different shoes than those made for someone with high arches. If you’re trying the shoe on, don’t ignore your toe touching the tip of the inside of the shoe or that the shoe slips off a little when you walk.
- Try them on and test them out. Trying shoes is very important in the shoe buying process because shoes are made differently. It is not uncommon for your shoe size to be one size in a certain type of shoe and higher or lower in another. Be sure to try the shoe on and don’t be afraid to walk a few laps around the store. A shoe will feel differently while walking around than it does sitting down or standing in one spot.
- Ask questions. Most shoes have a description of the shoe available either online or in-store and I’m sure if you ask an associate they can help you with questions about a particular shoe. Some good questions to ask are: What are the reviews, good and bad, of the shoe? Will this shoe support my type of foot? Even telling an associate about problems you’ve had with your feet or a certain shoe can help them to find a shoe for you.
The purpose of athletic shoes is “to give the user a cushioning effect in an attempt to relieve the effects of external forces resulting from the strains experienced in many sports” (Kling, 1991). Remember that, like with most things, a style that works for one person may not work for you. Just because a shoe appeals to you does not mean it is right for your feet. When it comes to buying shoes for athletic purposes, fashion can be a factor but be sure to emphasize comfort and support before appearance.
References
- Promjun, Siriphan, and Nopadon Sahachaisaeree. “Factors Determining Athletic Footwear Design: A Case of Product Appearance and Functionality.”Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences 36 (2012): 520-528.
- Kling, Robert J. “Patent US5048203 – Athletic Shoe with an Enhanced MechanicalAdvantage.” Google Books. Grant, 17 Sept. 1991. Web. 18 Nov. 2014. <https://www.google.com/patents/US5048203>
Thank you for your insightful thought on the matter. I personally always look for comfort in a shoe. I am ok with a not so wow fashion. If I am wearing a shoe it must provide maximum comfort to my feet. Fashion comes second or at third. And I don’t think any kind of is shoes ugly, it’s just some shoes are more fashionable than others. Thank you for this post. appreciate your thoughts.