All athletic shoes are the same…they just have different designs.
Wrong.
Just like you wouldn’t go to work in your business casual office wearing yoga pants, you won’t head out for a five mile run wearing skateboarding shoes. Yeah, you read that right – skateboarding shoes. There are so many different types of athletic shoes out there, that finding the pair you need can be daunting.
Some tips for finding the perfect shoe:
- Various activities require different types of shoes. Start your search online by finding out what type of shoe is best for the activity you want to use them for (be prepared to need multiple pairs of athletic shoes if necessary).
- Set aside at least an hour to shoe shop – don’t rush into anything.
- Find a store that has sales people that actually know what they are talking about – you probably won’t get a lot of help at your local Payless.
- Athletic shoes do not need to be broken in – they should have a good, comfortable fit from the very start.
- Your feet are the most swollen in the middle of the day – schedule your shoe shopping hour during that time.
- Take the time to walk around (or jog) for several minutes before deciding.
- Put on BOTH shoes – not just the right or the left. It is very rare for both feet to be exactly the same size.
- What worked for one person may not work for you – don’t buy a pair of shoes just because someone else said they were great – make sure they are what you need!
As a side note, when possible, try to reserve your new shoes to be used only during the activity they were purchased for – extend the life and quality of your feet’s new friends!
To see when it’s time to buy a new pair, take your shoes with you to the store and try on the same style. If the new ones are waaay more comfortable, then your old ones are ready to be replaced. Your weight and how often the shoes are worn will be the biggest factors for determining when it’s time to see if a replacement is necessary – you should look in to checking your shoe’s quality at least every six to eight months (which is another reason to reserve your “special” shoes only for the reason they were purchased – so you don’t have to buy another pair only a few months down the road).
Oh, and those skateboarding shoes? Here we thought that Vans and Converse shoes were just shoes of the generation…but they actually serve a purpose:
Skateboarding Shoes have flat soles for a better grip on a skateboard. They are very wide and have extra layers of padding to protect the skateboarders feet. A lot of people wear them for comfort because of their width and soft padding.
Who knew?
For readers in the Kansas City area, I am a huge fan of Gary Gribble’s Running Sports. I was on the lookout for new shoes and my personal trainer said she had other clients that had a good experience at Gary Gribble’s. I didn’t feel uncomfortable and the salesperson was knowledgeable and very helpful. I loooove my shoes, too.
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