How to Buy the Right Pair of Athletic Shoes

Does the expense and confusion of choosing the right athletic shoes sometimes seem baffling? It's a tricky business, especially if you live in a family with a variety of athletic interests. As consumers we're faced with a lot of options. So, keep the following points in mind next time you're out shopping for a new pair of athletic shoes.

Know What You Need
The most important step is deciding what sport you will be using them for. Most sporting goods stores carry a variety of shoes for activities such as running, walking, tennis, basketball, golf and aerobics. Multi-purpose shoes such as cross trainers may be a good alternative for those who want to combine several sports or activities, such as bicycling and weight training, in a single workout.

Get a Good Fit
Remember, no matter how popular a shoe is or how good it may look, it won't do you any good if you have blisters after the first week of wearing it.

Consider your foot type. People with high-arched feet tend to require greater shock absorption than those with average feet. High-arched (cavus) feet also suffer from lateral instability and are more prone to ankle sprains. Conversely, people with low-arched ("flat") feet require shoes with less cushioning but greater support and heel control.

Choose an athletic-shoe store with a large inventory. They'll most likely have a variety of sizes available.

Sizing Them Up
Try to get fitted for footwear at the end of the day, when foot size is at its maximum. It is not unusual for an individual's foot to increase one-half a shoe size during the course of a single day.

Allow 1/2 inch, or the width of your index finger, between the end of your longest toe and the end of the shoe. If one foot is larger than the other, buy the larger size.

The shoe should be as wide as possible across the forefoot without allowing slippage in the heel. If the shoe has variable-width lacing, experiment with the narrow and wide eyelet's to achieve a custom fit.

When to Buy
Keep in mind that your new athletic shoes should no longer require a "breaking-in" period. However, most shoes lose their cushioning after three to six months of regular (4 day's a week) use. If your shoes are no longer absorbing the pounding and jarring action of the sport, your more likely to sustain knee and ankle injuries.

How Much to Spend
Be sure to consider both your budget and your fitness needs before spending a small fortune on shoes. It's possible to spend anywhere from $20 for a no-name brand to more than $190 for Adidas or Nike's latest technological shoes.

Happy shopping!

Stephanie Oakes is a fitness correspondent for Discovery Health Channel, a contributing editor for USA Weekend Magazine and the LA Times, and appears on NBC's 'Today in New York'. She can be reached at soakes@beststuff.com.