American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine - Footwear

Socks And Your Feet

Fitness footwear has evolved. No longer called “cross trainers” or “aerobics shoes,” training shoes are a category of footwear designed to provide protection for a variety of fitness activities. This class of footwear is suitable for weightlifting, a variety fitness classes, some racquet sports and overall use at the health club. Training shoes provide cushioning as well as varying levels of stability devices to protect the feet and ankles. Training shoes are the jack-of-all-trades so they work well in a variety of activities but if you participate in one particular sport such as running or basketball, more than 2 times per week then you should have a sport-specific shoe for that as well.

As with any shoe, a comfortable fit is the first priority when selecting a shoe. Other considerations include:

Leather uppers are more durable than synthetics but mesh uppers allow better air flow and breathability.
Non-marking outsoles are important for those who play court sports
Many models have removable footbeds (also called sock liners) which allow for addition of a more supportive insole or custom orthotics
Some brands offer wider sizes

Running Shoes | Training Shoes | Basketball Shoes | Walking Shoes
Toning Shoes

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