A Guide for Athletic Shoe Shopping

Most people who are shopping for athletic shoes and sneakers often go for aesthetics rather than function. We go for what looks good and forego comfort in the process. However, what we wear on our feet, especially during strenuous activities and exercise, can greatly affect our joints and overall chiropractic health — especially for athletes such as runners.

You must understand first that no two feet are alike, and so there is no one-size-fits-all approach to the matter. And remember, choosing a great, appropriate shoe now will save you a great deal of pain and stress down the line to your back, hips, legs and feet.

Start with the general shape of your arch. Is your foot normal, high-arched, or flat, and what features of your shoe fit you best?

• Normal Foot: This type of foot is characterized by a normal arch, and a slightly flaring footprint. Also, the footprint appears to be connected from heel to ball by the outside of the foot. Additionally, when you walk, this foot absorbs shock by rolling inward a bit, meaning you land on the outside of your heel. The shoe that fits this foot best is one that is stable and has a gentle curvature.
• Flat Foot: A foot with a low arch that makes a considerable amount of contact with the ground — most of the sole, as a matter of fact — is called a flat foot. This kind of foot most commonly has over-pronation, where the foot rolls inward excessively from heel to toe. Chronic pain in the arches is not uncommon for this type of foot. A molded shoe that controls the moving foot and keeps it from twisting and bending is good for this kind of foot, as is a generally high-stability shoe that does not have much cushioning — especially mid-sole, where it would interfere with the foot's natural shape.
• High-arched Foot: This type of foot leaves footprints that are nearly disconnected from the heel to the ball of the foot. Additionally, this foot-type commonly under-pronates, failing to absorb the impact of walking or running with a gentle roll from heel to toe. The ideal shoe for feet like this is ones that encourage movement and mitigate impact with a lot of flexibility and cushioning.
  
  

If you have any trouble determining the type of feet you have, you can certainly consult your chiropractor for an analysis of your gait and for suggestions of the proper athletic shoe to get for your foot-type.

When you find yourself at the store, ready to purchase a shoe, here are a few tips to have in your mind. Before anything else, think about the specific purpose of the shoe. A running shoe will require more padding to absorb shock in the heel. Tennis shoes require more side-to-side stability, on account of the lateral movement on the court. Walking shoes, however, need generous cushioning and a structure that allows the foot to naturally roll.

It's important for a good fit to shop when your feet are as large as they get, which is later in the day, after work or a recent workout. You would be unhappy with your feet crammed into a shoe you fit snugly into, early in the day. Remember to mimic whatever particular conditions you will experience while using your shoe, such as sock-type and any orthotic device you will regularly use for posture. An orthotic device or particular sock can change the fit of the she up to a size or two, so it's quite important to take these aspects of the fitting into account.

Also, you should know that not all shoes are created equally for all purposes, and you should re-measure your shoe size for each new shoe and application. Your toes should have space enough to move around in the toe box, when trying on a new pair of shoes. If it feels restrictive, then it doesn't fit. When you are active, your heel should not slide in the heel of your shoe, but fit comfortably and snugly. Converse with a store associate to figure out what shoes they offer, in particular, for your foot type. This is especially important if you have flat or high-arched feet, which are less often catered to. Shoes are currently made that help you keep up good posture, and to additionally improve your stride. Get a good feel for the comfort of a shoe by keeping it on for at least 10 minutes, if that's possible.

Since your foot is shorter and thicker when you are sitting, be sure to stand when getting a measurement. And again, always measure your foot when you go shopping. You must find a good measure of the length and width of each of your feet, because your weight and age affect them differently. Many people have feet that are different, unmatched sizes.

Once you’ve put your athletic shoes or sneakers to use, make sure that you replace them when they’re worn out. As soon as the cushion in the mid-sole starts to flatten, it stops absorbing shock — and it’s time to get a new pair. Wearing old, worn sneakers without the proper support can lead to podiatric and chiropractic injuries such as heel spurs, shin splints, plantar fasciitis, and more.