Athletic Shoes

Back in the days when athletic shoes were worn only for exercising, they all tended to look pretty much the same: white, bland, and uninspiring. Now, of course, running shoes come in every color imaginable. You'll also find added features such as pump-up soles and flashing lights!

A Brief History of Athletic Shoes

Up until the early twentieth century, rubber-soled shoes didn't really exist. Keds arrived in 1917, coining the term "sneakers." The name was used to described the manner in which wearers of the new-style shoes were able to "sneak" around quietly.

Converse was quick to pick up on the trend started by Keds. Both brands are still popular today, although their products are now much more fashionable.

Over the years, the sneaker has changed dramatically. The simple shape of the original Keds has moved to a more stylized design, created for optimal performance on the running track, tennis court, or wherever else the shoes are worn.

Today's athletic shoes are designed by podiatrists and scientists. They come in a bewildering range of styles, all suited to different purposes. Whereas the early days of Keds and Converse saw a "one style suits all" approach to running shoes, we now wear different shoes for different types of athletic performance. For example, a running shoe has a different shape from a tennis shoe.

Leading Brands

The sports shoe market is one of the most competitive in the world. Each brand invests heavily in marketing, advertising, and product development in a bid to create the latest "must have" athletic shoe.

While new brands come and go, however, a few big names still dominate the market. Nike is perhaps the best-known brand around, with Adidas, Puma, New Balance, and Reebok all claiming their fair share of the market.

Buying Your Shoes

When it comes to buying sports shoes, you should first of all ask yourself what you'll be wearing them for. If you're buying purely for fashion, then you can browse to your heart's content! If you'll be using your shoes to play sports or work out, however, it's much more important to make sure that you choose the right type of shoe for the job.

Luckily, help is on hand at any of the major stores dedicated to selling athletic shoes. Stores such as Footlocker or UniqueHomeStore, for example, are more than just shoe retailers. Staff members are also fully trained to advise you on which style of shoe will best fit your purposes. If you're about to take up a new sport or exercise regime, it's best to visit the store in person rather than buying online.

As you'd expect with specialist shoes such as these, the right fit is very important. Make sure your feet are properly measured and take the time to walk or run in the shoes before buying them.