Welcome to Team Sports Educational Page

BUYING THE PROPER ATHLETIC SHOE

To avoid injury and maintain maximum body support, it's critical to purchase the correct type of shoes for your sport.

Take care of your feet and they'll take care of you!

Choosing a shoe

Looking for new running or athletic shoes? Here are some tips:

Always chose well-made shoes which actually fit your feet. Running shoes should be roomy, but not sloppy. You might consider purchasing a pair slightly larger than your regular everyday shoes. An ideal fit for runners should be: snug around the heel, arch and instep with room at the toes. If you can't find the exact fit, then buy a pair which are slightly larger, rather than smaller! And don't forget to wear proper size moisture-wicking socks, as well.

Select shoes developed by reputable manufacturers, specifically with your activity in mind. Will you be running, power-walking, just strolling along, exercising in the gym or playing basketball etc.? You may need more than one pair of athletic shoes, depending on your activity level! Cheaper, ill-fitting, worn out or incorrect shoes may cause problems and possible foot, leg or other injury. Avoid selecting shoes based solely on price or the latest look. When in doubt, discuss your needs with a knowledgeable sales clerk at Team Sports, your podiatrist or other foot specialist.

Proper fit is important!  What type of arch do you have?

Not all shoes and brands may be right for you. Prior to trying on shoes, knowing the particular shape of your foot is a good place to start. Here are the three main types of foot shapes. Which do you have?

Normal Arch
Flat Foot (aka: over-pronators)
High Arch or Instep (aka: under-pronators or supinators)

A quick way to determine your foot shape is to wet the bottoms (soles) of your feet and then carefully step onto a dry surface. Gently lift each foot and step away. Your foot prints should be left behind. Take a good look. With a "normal" arch, you should see a distinct print of your heel, forefoot, as well as a continuous line between the two on the outside edge, about half the width of your foot. If the line-width is thinner, you may have a higher arch. If the line-width is thicker, you may have what's called flat-foot. Supporting your arch is necessary to proper shoe fit.

Shoe Shape

For "normal" arched feet, try shoes with a semi-curved last.

For higher-arched feet, try shoes with plenty of cushion, flexibility and a curved last.

For flatter-arched feet, try "motion-controlled" shoes with a stable/firm mid-sole.

Other

Should you experience any abnormal pain in your feet, legs, or back during or after running, walking or exercise in general, we suggest you contact your local podiatrist or foot specialist. You may have an underlying medical condition that needs attention... or it could be, your shoes just aren't the right fit for you!