SHOES FOR ATHLETES / ACTIVE FOOTWARE
The purpose of an athletic shoe is to protect the foot from the stresses of your sport, while permitting the athlete to achieve his or her maximum potential. Most of us require and benefit from the use of sport specific shoes. The concept of “Sport Specific Shoes” is an important one. It means that if you participate in multiple sports, you need a shoe that is specific to each of those sports. If you lift weights, play tennis, do aerobics, run 20 miles per week, cycle, play golf, shoot hoops, snow board, mountain climb and play tennis – don’t try to make your cross trainers do it all. Just skip the cross trainer and get yourself shoes that are specifically made for each sport.
The podiatrists and staff at Prairie Rock Clinic have extensive experience with helping you choose the proper footwear. Whether you are a power walker, runner and jogger or just like to hike around the woods; we can help you choose the shoes that keep you healthy and comfortable.
READ MORE ON ATHLETIC FOOT CARE
PROPER SHOE CHOICES
- The size of your feet changes as you grow older so always have your feet measured before buying shoes. The best time to measure your feet is at the end of the day when your feet are largest.
- Most of us have one foot that is larger than the other, so fit your shoe to your larger foot.
- Don’t select shoes by the size marked inside the shoe but by how the shoe fits your foot.
- Select a shoe that is shaped like your foot.
- During the fitting process, make sure there is enough space (3/8″ to 1/2″) for your longest toe at the end of each shoe when you are standing up.
- Make sure the ball of your foot fits comfortably into the widest part of the shoe.
- Don’t buy shoes that feel too tight and expect them to stretch to fit.
- Your heel should fit comfortably in the shoe with a minimum of slipping – the shoes should not ride up or down on your heel when you walk.
- Walk in the shoes to make sure they fit and feel right. Then take them home and spend some time walking on carpet to make sure the fit is good.