Shoe Fashion

As recently as the 1960s a pair of sneakers would have been the only footwear needed to take part in most sports or physical activities. These shoes would have been fairly close to the original ‘sneakers’ that had been around since the start of the century, which were a made from a canvas top or upper and rubber soles. It wasn’t until the mid sixties that Adidas began making shoes with nylon uppers and Velcro fastening that resembles the athletic shoes we wear today.

Today there is a bewildering collection of athletic shoes available, to suit every sport or activity imaginable. Over 300 million pairs are sold each year, and with such a wide variety available, choosing a pair appropriate to your needs can be quite a daunting task. So just how do you select the shoe that is right for you?

Most experts agree that choosing the right shoe is crucial to preventing injuries. You should never choose a shoe just because it’s fashionable, or you like the color. Choosing the wrong kind of shoe can lead to various health problems and injuries, including stress fractures, lower back pain, arch and heel problems, not to mention the common, but often painful, blisters and infections that can be caused by ill-fitting shoes. But it’s not only the fit of the shoe that’s important, make sure you match the shoe to the sport, or activity for which it was designed, failing to do so may lead to injury. A walking shoe for instance should have a more rigid forefoot than a running shoe. It should also have a rounded sole, so your weight can be shifted easily from heel to toes. Running shoes need a more flexible forefoot and plenty of cushioning for the heel. They need to be more shock-absorbent and have a clearly defined Achilles notch. To check the flexibility of a shoe, hold it by the heel and the mid-foot (not the toe) and twist; the harder the shoe is to twist, the more rigid and stiffer it is.

It may sound obvious, but remember that the shoe should always feel comfortable. Don’t be too concerned about the size, as this can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Never go into a store thinking that you know your size, so therefore it must fit, especially if you haven’t had your feet measured for a while. You should have your feet measured regularly, as your feet widen and lengthen as you age, and as you gain weight.

Experts recommend you have both feet measured once a year. Always try the shoe on for comfort. For a comfortable fit, ensure there is enough room in the toe-box, and there is adequate room across the broadest part of your foot. The fit should be snug at the heel to prevent slipping and rubbing during movement. It’s also a good idea to look at the shoe for finish. Try running your hand inside the shoe to feel for cushioning of the heel, also feel the stitching, especially in the heel area. Rough or raised stitching can cause rubbing and chaffing, a sure-fire way to get painful blisters.

One last thing to remember is don’t be too sentimental. Don’t keep those old favorite shoes you’ve had since High School. They may still look okay, but most will no longer be providing you with the proper support, or cushioning your feet need. Experts recommend you consider changing your shoes after 150 hours of cross training, 300-500 miles of running, and 1000 miles of walking. You should also replace insoles frequently, rotate several pairs of shoes if possible, and keep sport specific shoes exclusively for the sports for which they were designed.