Athletic Gear: Shoes / Footwear

One of the most fundamental parts of any set of athletic gear is the footwear – shoes, sandals, skates (inline and ice), and so on. Without good athletic footwear, people's performance will suffer and injuries might even result. Athletic shoes aren't just for playing competitive sports – just about any physical activity that needs you to use your feet often (e.g. hiking) will need athletic footwear.

Regardless of your activity of choice, you should consider a few things when choosing which athletic shoes to buy. Your comfort holds topnotch priority – there’s no use wearing a certain shoe if you don't feel good using it. Remember, an expensive or stylish athletic shoe does not necessarily equate to comfort, so choose wisely.

Second thing you'll need to think about is the shoe's durability. Of course, if you're buying shoes of a reputable and established brand, more often than not you can rest easy with the quality. Inspect the material first, and if possible, question the salesperson as to the expected life of the product.

Many people shop online nowadays, and a pair of shoes is a popular item on their carts. However, it's still advisable to shop in person and see the shoes for yourself, so you can spot defects and give them a 'test walk'.

In our introductory article we said that arguably, athletic shoes have made it to casual attire more than any other type of athletic gear. If you plan to wear your athletic footwear this way, choose the shoes that have a good balance between style and overall 'athletic-readiness'. When we say 'athletic-readiness', we mean the combination of comfort, durability, and other factors that might come to your mind from the point of view of an athlete.

If you're a basketball shoe enthusiast, then you're quite a lucky person because most basketball shoes nowadays make for great casual attire pieces. Amongst all other athletic shoes, basketball footwear embody the fusion of style, design, and athletic performance. But if you go for performance above anything else, then you should scout for shoes that carry some of the following adjectives: lightweight, 'breath-ability' (ventilation), responsive, support, cushioned, grip, traction, and shock absorption, among others.

Whether you are a track athlete or a leisure jogger, then it goes without saying that running shoes are vital to your life. Most shoe manufacturers divide running shoes into three categories – cushioning, motion control, and stability. The last one is a balance between cushioning and motion control.