Good Footing: Choosing the Right Shoes

One topic that does not get a lot of time on sports team websites is that of proper footwear. Especially for sports that are heavy on running, like soccer, cross-country and track, shoes can make a huge difference in an athlete’s health. But even other sports require adequate footwear to improve balance, comfort and agility.

A bad pair of shoes can take over a young athlete’s mindset. Too tight, too loose, wrong shape, not enough padding, too much padding - any relatively small issue can make a serious impact. It is important that you and your youngster go to a shoe store with experts who will look at the athlete’s feet, make suggestions and ensure that the proper shoe is found. Here are a few things to look for when you search for athletic shoes:

Which way does the foot roll?

Also known as pronating, the foot tends to roll inward or outward as it lands and pushes off. The first thing to do is identify whether your kid’s foot over- or underpronates. An easy way to do this is by getting down at floor-level and watch the way they foot strikes the ground during running. If it seems like the ankle is collapsing inward, overpronation is occurring. While some degrees of pronation are fine, extreme amounts can lead to injury. Luckily, there are shoes as well as orthotics or inserts available to athletes who have pronation problems. A good podiatrist will have the right recommendation, as well as footwear specialists.

Is the shoe the right shape?

Different shoe brands have different shapes and styles. Just because a shoe is the right length and width does not necessarily make it the right fit. Many shoes are designed for athletes with high or low arches, heavy or light gaits, forefoot, mid-foot or heal strikes, and so on. It is important that when you choose footwear, you don’t just try it on to see if the foot will fit inside of it - have the athlete run a few steps, even jog outside. Good shoe outlets will actually encourage it and it will give the only estimation of fit in an athletic scenario. Compare different brands side by side and see which one offers the best comfort.

Improper or worn out shoes can lead to injury in the hips and knees as well as the feet and calves. With your team sport website, stress the importance of choosing the right footwear.