Women’s Athletic Shoes
Athletic shoes are designed for sports or other physical activities. Women’s and men’s shoes differ only in size. Usually women’s shoes are narrower compared to men. Also they are wider in the forefoot and narrower in the heels. There are different types of athletic shoes depending on purpose and foot type.
Foot Type
Some people have stiff, arched foot which makes them underpronate while some others have low arches causing overpronation. Depending on the extent of inward movement of the feet, the following types of shoes can be used:
Stability Shoes
Stability shoes are for those with minimum to moderate overpronation. These shoes have medial support and light cushioning.
Motion Control Shoes
Motion control shoes are ideal for people with moderate and severe overpronation. They have strong medial support and provided much needed stiffness.
Semi-cushioned shoes
Semi-cushioned shoes are recommended for people with rigid, high arches. Cushioning provides the much needed flexibility to the feet and lessens the pressure on the little toe.
Purpose
Purpose is of paramount importance in determining the shoe type. Purpose can be general or sports- specific.
General
Generally athletic shoes can be subdivided into running, walking or training shoes. They include shoes for jogging and hiking.
Walking Shoes
A Good Walking shoe must have soft comfortable upper, good shock absorption and flat heels. Flared heels are not required because while walking the heels come into contact with the earth first. It should also have flexible soles. Cushioning is needed but too much of cushioning must be avoided especially in the forefoot.
Jogging Shoes
A good jogging shoe should have adequate cushioning, flexibility, control and stability in the heel counter area and good traction.
Running Shoes
A running shoe is designed to have better impact, shock absorption and often involves better cushioning and is light weight. They have beveled or rounded heel, flexible midsole, firm heel counter and studded sole. Running shoes differ depending on the nature of the terrain and event.
Training Shoes
Training shoes are heavier than running shoes and are cushioned. They are manufactured to use in practically all surfaces. Cross training shoes manufactured with a view to incorporate the demands of so many sports are widely used these days. But for people focusing on specific sports it is always better to go for trainining shoes that match the demands of the sports category.
Sports- specific
Different sports employ different types of athletic shoes. Major categories of sports specific shoes include the following:
Court Sports
These include sports like tennis, volleyball. Badminton and basketball. Shoes designed for these types of sports often have lateral control in addition to forward and backward movements.
Field Sports
Shoes for football, baseball and rugby are included in this category. They need strong traction and have spikes and studs fixed to the forefoot of the shoe.
Winter Sports
Ability to provide good ankle support is the basic criteria for good shoes in this category. They include shoes for ice hockey, skiing and skating.
Track and Field Sports
Running and walking shoes are included in this category. Here too lot of other factors like nature of the surface, event and foot type are to be taken into account while selecting shoes.
Reference: The Runner’s Book of Training Secrets. By Ken Sparks and Dave Kuehls. Rodale, 1996.