Athletic Shoes: everything you need to know

Athletic shoes come in many different styles and are often designed for specific uses. When picking out a pair of athletic shoes, you should have some ideas about the style, brand and activity level sneaker you want. Remember that not every shoe is right for every foot, and while recommendations are always good to have, it's best to try on a shoe before you purchase.

Activity and Use

The athletic shoe you purchase should be specific to the activity you plan on using them for. For example, running shoes are generally made of breathable material that bends more easily. Running shoes are also more arched than other activity-specific shoes, to create a better surface for the foot to fall onto while jogging or running. They are also cut lower in the ankle to allow for a freer ankle.
Basketball sneakers, on the other hand, are more constricting and sit higher on the ankle to provide better support to the wearer when he needs to pivot and move in different directions quickly. Casual athletic shoes, on the other hand, tend to keep fashion on the forefront with a flatter bottom and less support throughout the shoe.

Style and Practicality

Style is an important consideration when thinking about athletic shoes. While sneakers must feel good and be built for the activity in mind, the way they look is also important. Before you set out to buy athletic shoes consider what color combo you might prefer. All-white sneakers dirty easily, so sneakers that will be hitting the dirt often should be a darker color. Black and gray sneakers are best for highly intensive sports, while white sneakers will do fine for indoor sports. Style will depend on your personal preferences, but keeping the activity in mind while picking a style is important.

Brands

Nike remains one of the top sneaker brands in the world, however, they are best known for basketball shoes. Nike rose to basketball fame for the construction of their sneakers. The flat, smooth bottoms allow for quick movements and the high, heavily-padded ankle helps prevent injury.
Brooks and New Balance are well known for their running sneakers and Adidas is known for their tennis shoes. Both New Balance and Brooks create light, breathable sneakers that offer cushioning and support for serious runners. Adidas, on the other hand, has a celebrated history in tennis shoes because of their traction-heavy bottoms and highly structured leather uppers.
You may want to choose the brand that offers the best shoe for the activity you're interested in. Research the brands you are interested in before you go to the store. Knowing what you are looking for in a brand of athletic shoes is paramount in getting the right pair.