Just do it.
Or rather, just buy it. When it comes to sneaker selection, many people may not even realize that shoes are manufactured for specific purposes, let alone know which sneaker is for what.
"Shoes serve two functions," said Bob Bruzga, coordinator of sports medicine physical therapy at Duke's Sports Medicine Center. "They are designed to minimize injury and to improve performance."
And the wrong shoes can lead to various problems. "Shoes that don't fit properly or are improperly worn [for the activity you are doing] can overstress your foot, leading to possible foot fractures, callouses, blisters and foot deformities," said Dr. Farshid Guilak, associate professor of orthopedic surgery.
Wearing the wrong shoes can also lead to pains to other parts of the body. "If the feet are not well supported, other joints can be adversely affected. Knee, hip and back pain may be injuries that are caused by inappropriate or ill-fitting footwear," Bruzga said.
The three main types of sneakers are running, cross-training and court shoes. Court shoes-including basketball and tennis shoes-have soles that are less shock-absorbant, wider and more squared-off so they are good for lateral stability in activities that require cutting, pivoting, jumping and lateral movement. In contrast, running and training shoes have a softer, cushioned sole with a sharper edge angle, making them better suited for forward motion and motion control.
Physical therapists and trainers believe shoe-related problems stem from people unknowingly wearing shoes that are inappropriate for the activity they are doing. "I see guys playing basketball in running shoes, and it makes me nervous because [those shoes] are built for straight-ahead running, not lateral movement," said Mike Huff, coordinator of sports performance at the Michael W. Krzyzewski Human Performance Research Laboratory.
"Running shoes give little ankle support, so the chances of spraining an ankle [when playing basketball] are much greater," he said.
The inappropriate use of shoes, though, may arise initially from consumers not knowing which shoes to buy in the first place. "Unfortunately, a lot of people have no notion of foot problems, so for the young age group, the selection criteria becomes brand allegiance, what athletes wear and what's in style.... For older people, the criteria for purchase is based on price and comfort," said Bruzga. "People buy sneakers they like, not [because of] what they might be doing with them."
And therapists are skeptical that sales representatives can help in the selection process. Bruzga suggests asking the store managers, since they are more aware of the frequently changing shoe models.
Physical therapists are also wary of the new modifications to shoes such as shock absorbers and air pumps. "A lot of times the main thrust of selling shoes is marketing," said Tony Francisco, a research analyst at the K-lab. "Yes, [certain modifications] make shoes better in some ways, but it depends if that change is something you're looking for."
For those planning to buy a shoe, specialists suggest buyers learn the structure of their foot, including its width, how it arches and in which direction the foot normally rolls. "Don't buy shoes based on looks but based on what fits, what's comfortable and what will last under the conditions that you will put them in," Huff advised.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.