SPORT SHOES IN LAKE MACQUARIE

CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD SHOE

A sports shoe needs to be sturdy and supportive. These shoes should be specially designed for a particular use rather than being multi-purpose. A multi-purpose shoe cannot support your feet and legs perfectly in every activity. The better solution is to find a shoe designed for what you plan to do.

Shoes may be suitable for multiple activities that are similar in nature. However, an ideal shoe is made with a particular sport or activity in mind.

TYPE OF SPORT

Different sports require different motions from athletes. Walking is best supported by a shoe that helps your foot push off the ground naturally. In contrast, running shoes are usually designed with excess padding on the heel that absorbs energy from the repeated impacts more efficiently.

Shoes for tennis, basketball, cricket, rugby, football, and every other sport vary slightly in the type of support they provide the wearer. Make sure you pay attention to what your shoes need to support for your sport of choice before purchasing a pair.

FIT OF THE SHOE

Ill-fitting shoes are sometimes worse than getting the wrong pair of shoes. An ill-fitting pair of shoes is not able to provide support in the right areas, causing imbalances that can increase the chance of injury. There are a few specific areas to pay attention to with the fit:

• Length – Shoes should allow some flexibility for your feet. Ideally, feet should be able to expand, spread and lengthen as necessary during normal physical activity.
• Width – There’s a balance that needs to be in place for the width of the shoe. It should not be too tight around the toes, nor should it be so loose that the foot can slip around.
  

ALONG WITH THE WIDTH AT THE TOES

pay attention to the width at the heels also. Your heel should be comfortably cupped in the shoe without moving around easily.

• Depth – If you’re planning to wear orthotic inserts, you need a shoe with more depth to allow the extra room for the insert.
• Height – Taller shoes provide some support to the ankles, Achilles tendon and the base of the shin. This can be useful in some sports or for athletes who need extra support in any of these areas.
• Grip – Heel grip on the inside of the shoe is the most important type of grip to look for. Your heel should not be slipping or sliding around inside the shoe at any point.

Getting a proper fitting for your next sports shoe is a lot easier when you receive assistance from Lake Macquarie and James Pascoe Podiatry.

SHOE STRUCTURE

Sports shoes are made with a wide variety of materials, design features and innovative technologies. We can help you decipher what’s most important in a shoe for you and what may not be a top priority.

GETTING THE BEST

We want you to end up with the right pair of shoes to help you excel in your sport of choice. When you’re shopping for a pair of sports shoes, we recommend going in the afternoon to accommodate the natural swelling of your feet during the day. If the shoes fit well at this time, they will be able to fit in the morning or evening. It’s also important to put on both shoes, as your feet may be different sizes and may require different sized shoes.

Always look for shoes that feel comfortable from the first wear in the store. Bring a pair of socks, as well as any orthotic inserts you plan to wear regularly with the shoes. Focus on getting the right fit with your normal socks and inserts.

If you have any questions about sports shoes or you would like recommendations on the type to look for, come to Lake Macquarie and James Pascoe Podiatry. We can help you determine how you would be best served by your shoes, including giving you advice on what features to look for and how you know you’ve chosen a good pair.