13 PAIR OF SNEAKERS AND SOME HIGH HEELS

I came home from the mall with a pair of gorgeous Vince Camuto heels when my husband asked me why I needed another pair of shoes. Instead of offering him an answer, I walked over to his closet to reveal the 13 pair of sneakers he has neatly lined up on the floor. Thirteen pair of sneakers…now that’s excessive! Or is it?

As he sat there explaining how each pair of sneakers serves a different purpose, it started to make sense why my shins hurt when I run: I’m probably not wearing the right kind of sneakers! Turns out I’m wearing sneakers for cross-training, not for running.

The word “sneaker” was already in use at least as early as 1887, when the Boston Journal made reference to "sneakers" as "the name boys give to tennis shoes." The name "sneakers" originally referred to how quiet the rubber soles were on the ground, in contrast to noisy standard hard leather sole dress shoes. But don’t get confused…not all sneakers are athletic shoes and not all athletic shoes are alike! Today there is a huge variety of athletic sneakers on the market: for running, tennis, walking, cross-training, pronation…you name it! So to guide you on your sole searching, we’ve highlighted the TOP models for only a few:

RUNNING

You know what you want from your running shoes: light weight, cushioning, support, and a comfortable fit. Of course, the most important part of any shoe is your experience over the hundreds of miles you’ll take in them.

BEST FOR ROAD RUNNING: ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 23

BEST FOR TRAIL RUNNING: HOKA ONE SPEEDGOAT 4

BEST FOR RECOVERY RUNNING: HOKA ONE BONDI 7

BEST FOR A LONG RUN: SAUCONY TRIUMPH 18

CROSS TRAINING

Your workout is only as good as the shoes on your feet. That’s especially true when it comes to cross-training, which calls for all kinds of movement: front to back, side to side, up and down, you name it. If you’re going to sweat it out in a HIIT or bootcamp workout, you need a shoe that can handle everything from box jumps and cardio machines to weight lifting. Not only will the right shoes enhance your performance, but a secure and comfortable fit can help you prevent injury, too.

BEST FOR DYNAMIC MOVEMENTS: NIKE SUPERREP GO TRAINING SHOE

BEST FOR HIIT TRAINING: REEBOK HIIT TRAINING SHOE

BEST FOR STRENGTH TRAINING: NEW BALANCE 20v7 MINIMUS CROSS-TRAINER

STABILITY (SUPINATION & PRONATION)

Supination happens when bodyweight is placed on the outside of the foot while walking or running. People with supination typically have ankle pain and soreness, shin splints, discomfort on the heels and balls of the feet, and can experience calluses and bunions on the outside of the foot. They tend to experience more ankle twists and injuries because it is easier for their ankles to roll outward while walking or running. Although there are running shoes with support for over-pronation, there are none specifically designed for supination.

When the weight is placed more on the inside of the foot, it’s referred to as pronation. Pronation happens because your feet naturally roll inward when walking. It becomes a problem when you overpronate, meaning your feet roll in excessively. This causes the arches of your feet to flatten out over time. People with overpronation are more likely to experience plantar fasciitis, knee, hip, and/or back pain.

BEST FOR OVERPRONATION: ASICS GEL-KAYANO LITE

TENNIS

A good tennis shoe is not a one size fits all thing as most players value some aspects of a shoe more than others. Some want ultra-lightweight to aid with foot speed; others prefer support to stop themselves rolling an ankle. In general, though, most players are looking for a blend of the following properties: Comfort, durability, stability, support, and traction.

BEST OVERALL FOR TENNIS: ASICS GEL RESOLUTION 8

Navigating through all the sneaker brands and various styles can be confusing, especially with all the seemingly high-tech shoe features.

Athletes and sports medicine experts tend to stay current with athletic shoe features and how each one can benefit a specific foot type or activity. But athletes aren't the only ones that can benefit from finding the right shoe for their foot type or activity level. For any activity, it helps to know how a certain shoe style or feature can support your feet. Local shop Ragged Mountain Running can be a great place to get fitted for your specific needs!

I’m keeping the heels, but I am definitely going to invest in a better pair of athletic sneakers specific to my needs.