Women's Sports Shoes

Even as you walk leisurely, your feet takes a lot of pressure. Now just imagine how much beating they’d get if you run and jump and repeat the process for several hours. Without the proper support from a reliable pair of shoes, it won’t be long ‘til you end up getting injured which may prematurely end your game or even your entire sporty lifestyle. Thankfully, this is a fortunate age for women. Since the 1900 Olympics, where women were first allowed to compete, production of various types of ladies’ sports shoes have picked up with designs that have both function and fashion.

Today, sports shoes in general have become quite sophisticated with all their newfound technologies with dizzying technical names that claim to enhance an athlete’s performance. Whether they’re really effective or not is a matter of contention. What’s definite, though, is that wearing the right type shoes for the right sport is every athletic woman’s first step to victory.

Sports shoe types

Stability shoes

Stability running shoes are designed to offer a balance between cushioning and control, perfect for those women who are biomechanically sound. They are the most common type you’ll find in the market simply because it caters to the most prevalent type of pronators - the neutral or normal type.

Cushioned shoes

Cushioned running shoes are the best to choice to counteract supination as they have adequate shock absorption on the lateral side of the shoes.

Motion Control

The motion control type is the best choice for severe overpronators or flat-footed people because it focuses more of its support on the medial side of the foot to prevent injuries.

Racing

Racing flats have been known to help improve a runner’s speed by about 4 seconds. It’s the type of shoes for women who take running quite seriously. With minimal cushion and weight, racing flats are best used for marathon distances under 10 kilometers.

Trail runners

For women whose sport is off-road jogging, mountain trekking or for those who are simply looking for a heavy-duty, all-terrain, weatherproof pair, then trail running shoes are a must-have. Its rugged features are specially designed to provide ample traction on uneven surfaces and protection from sharp and jagged objects. Depending on the brand and model, some trail runners can be either water-resistant or waterproof, while some are made of material that expels water just as easily as it can absorb it.

Cross-trainers

Women who engage in various athletic activities may be compelled to buy a specific shoe for each. Yet, there’s a simpler and more economical solution: buy a pair of cross-trainer shoes. Cross-trainers are so-called because they are considered the all-purpose type of shoes. They are best known for their comfort, and with meshed soles, they allow your feet to “breathe”. Cross-trainers are designed to cushion your feet well enough even for a prolonged period, but they are not made to withstand the harshest working conditions or to provide the necessary support for serious sports activities.

Lightweight trainers

Lightweight trainers, as the name suggests, are made of light materials designed for those who engage in sports activities that require speed and brisk footwork. They are, however, meant only for casual sports enthusiasts because they do not provide ample cushioning, support and durability.

Walking shoes

Of all the types on this list, walking shoes are the most aesthetically conservative. These lot are flexible and comfortable to wear and are great for walking on even surfaces.

Shoe-fitting tips

Note that a high-quality pair of running shoes may not come cheap. But just like in any type of shoes, you should treat it like an investment. If you choose the right pair, you will not only save money from having to replace your shoes every year, but also from costly medications for injuries as well.

The best time to buy shoes is late in the afternoon or in the evening simply because our feet is at its biggest during this time. Be sure to base your shoe size on the dominant foot as it tends to be a little larger than the other one. And don’t forget to bring your running socks or orthotics for the fitting as well.
See if the shoes offer enough space on top of your toes. The room should be at least a thumb away from the tip of your longest toe to the tip of the shoe. You would also know if it’s the right fit if your foot doesn’t slide off or doesn’t feel too crammed inside the shoe. If you finally find a pair that feels just right, walk and jog within the premises and see if the feeling’s the same.