In almost every sports store are offered a wide range of sneakers. They vary by manufacturer, cost, color, and also by functionality. But how to choose sneakers - few know. Therefore, often the buyer is at a loss, not knowing what to buy. After all, if you mindlessly buy what you liked first, you can be very disappointed soon after the purchase.
In order to acquire truly high-quality sports shoes, it is necessary to properly prepare for such a purchase, having studied the basic criteria for the right choice. Let's finally find out how to choose the right shoes.
Features selection
Sneakers are not walking shoes that you can choose, focusing only on the "like / dislike" parameter. Sneakers should firmly fix the ankle, to withstand a large load, the foot in them should be comfortable.
To choose really comfortable sneakers, it’s best to do it in the evening. Not because after work there is more free time and you can slowly explore the entire range, but because by evening the leg naturally swells (from daily load). It is better to choose sneakers that will be a little free in the morning than those that will crush and cause discomfort towards the evening.
Visual inspection
Starting the selection of sneakers should be from the sports store. It is better if it is a specialized sports shop since the probability of purchasing high-quality shoes there and getting competent advice is much higher. If a store is selected, and even a pair of shoes has attracted you, it is necessary to critically evaluate the quality of the product:
Is there lacing?
Are the lines even?
Gently applied glue?
Is there a strong synthetic smell?
Are the size and country of production specified?
Is there a sticker with information about the material from which the outer, inner parts and the sole are made?
If all these questions are answered in the affirmative, the model can be studied further.
More detailed study
If the shoes passed the first test successfully, you can go deeper. And literally: check whether there is an instep. In sneakers, it is highly desirable because it protects the ankle from sports injuries.
It is very important that the insole is removable - this will maintain the hygiene of the shoes. If sports sneakers give off an unpleasant smell, they can no longer be used, even when otherwise they are in excellent condition.
Now you can study the material more closely. Sneakers for outdoor activities, walking shoes, and sneakers for sports can be made of leather. And it will be only a "plus" for them. But sports shoes can also be made of synthetics.
It should be high-tech synthetic materials for sports, which sometimes cost more than leather. These materials "breathe", providing air exchange inside the shoe. It is from these materials that the most comfortable sneakers are created.
If you cannot check the quality of the material visually, you can press the sock area with your finger for 5 seconds. If the hole evens out almost immediately - the material deserves attention.
Choosing sneakers, you should pay attention to the sole. Deep relief is a sign of sneakers for outdoor activities. If the relief is not deep, but thick - this is sneakers for the gym. If there is practically no relief, this is a sign of ordinary walking shoes.
Sole check
Shoes must be bent. In high-quality sports sneakers, the design is such that the sole does not bend along. This is a mandatory measure that prevents injury to the feet. If the buckling of the sneakers has passed, it's time to bend them across.
Attention should be paid to the place of the fold: it should be located not in the center, but with displacement towards the fingers. In this case, the leg will be comfortable when walking, and when performing various exercises. And it is quite possible that this shoe will be the most comfortable sneakers.
Fitting
If the shoes have passed all the tests and it seems comfortable, all that remains is a small - try it on - test. What else you need to know about fitting:
Try on sneakers on both legs.
Fitting should be done in socks that are planned to be worn with sneakers (if the socks are thick, you may need shoes that are larger in size).
It is necessary to lace up shoes and walk in them: both the foot and the heel should be well fixed.
Based on this, it is not recommended to purchase sneakers remotely, for example, in an online store.
The seller will explain how to choose the size of the sneaker because only he knows whether the dimensional grid of generally accepted standards. And then - only by trial and personal feelings. If your legs are in comfortable sneakers that do not rub, do not crush and are not too loose, this is the right size.
Sports Injury & Pain Management Clinic of New York
36 West 44th Street, Ste 1100,
New York, NY 10036
+1 (212) 621-7746
https://www.sportspainmanagementnyc.com