The right footwear will optimise your performance, minimise injury and make you look good.
PHOTO: UNSPLASH
How are you ushering in 2022? You can have fun and make new friends when you try new activities. Learning new sports is a great way to enjoy new mental benefits and exercise various body parts that might have been left “dormant” previously. The cornerstones of movement, our feet need adequate support and protection when we exercise, which is why selecting good shoes for different activities is paramount. Not only will good footwear protect you from injury, it will also help you perform better and can be a stylish complement to your workout gear if you choose right. Here’s how you can distinguish well-made shoes meant for these popular sports.
Running
The sport and its demands: Running is a high-impact activity. A good running stride starts with one’s foot making contact with the ground not too far in front of one’s body. Pressure is then shifted gradually up the foot and ends with the toes and ball of the foot propelling the foot off the ground. Ideally, one’s weight should be distributed evenly across the inside and outside of both feet.
The ideal shoe: It’s best to find one with a thick cushion throughout its sole. Running shoes should also have a low cut so as not to inhibit ankle movement. Walk briskly in the shoe. Your foot should not shift around inside and you should not feel any irritation along your foot. It’s important to note that running on track and pavement requires shoes with flat surfaces, and it is best to use specialised trail running shoes for rural terrain.
Skateboarding
The sport and its demands: As skateboarding involves lots of vertical impact, and is full of varied, but repetitive motions with significant force being placed on the heels and ankles. Without proper arch and ankle support, skaters are at risk of developing injuries over long sessions.
The ideal shoe: Look for thick soles with arch support. They should also have thick cushioning around the periphery of the foot and thick ankle padding. This will help cup and hold the foot and ankle as it withstands the rotational force applied during skateboarding. Despite a thick sole, a good skateboarding shoe will still allow you to feel the skateboard and control it well. Skateboarding shoes are flat but have intricate grooves on their underside to enhance a skater’s grip on the board and the ground. There are two main types of soles, vulcanised soles and cupsoles, that you can try and take your pick from.
Football
The sport and its demands: Since football is played on turf, extra grip is needed to keep players on their feet as they race around the field. However, depending on the player’s position and whether the player prioritises foot protection or ankle dexterity, the choice of shoe will vary.
The ideal shoe: Like running shoes, football boots should provide you with adequate sole support. However, defenders might prefer thick uppers that protect their feet from injury during tackles while attackers might prefer thin uppers that allow precise control of the ball. Players also have different preferences for types of studs and cleats, which have their advantages and disadvantages when accelerating and changing direction. If the store permits, try passing and dribbling a ball in a shoe before buying it. You need to feel confident of controlling the ball when wearing your desired shoe. Wear football boots with cleats when you play football on a grass pitch, but switch to flat-based futsal shoes when you play on concrete. Always check how a shoe’s upper is bound to its sole, especially with football shoes, as an upper bound by thin threads can rip open in a short time.
Basketball
The sport and its demands: Basketball players put a very high value on fast acceleration coupled with near-instantaneous deceleration and direction changes. Lateral movement is essential as defenders and offensive players jockey at opposing ends. Lastly, players need to jump to shoot the ball and defend the net.
The ideal shoe: Among the varying features of a basketball shoe, its most important part is the sole. Check if the grooves on the underside of a basketball shoe are deep. These grooves will prevent you from slipping, while a thick sole will protect you. Players jump hundreds of times per game and their feet need protection from vertical stress. Basketballers with different roles and styles of play have different preferences when it comes to shoes. Players dictating the game and leading the attack might prefer low-cut shoes that don’t restrict running, while players who jump a lot for dunks, layups, blocks and rebounds might prefer high-cut shoes because of their ankle support.
Racket sports
The sport and its demands: Racket sports like tennis, badminton and table tennis involve sprinting, braking, lateral movements and a bit of sliding and jumping. Fast acceleration and deceleration play a massive role in all racket sports, as does balance while stretching outward to make a connection.
The ideal shoe: You’ll need to examine the quality of a shoe’s cushioning and grip, just like for the previous sports. Shoes meant for hard courts like clay and concrete courts will have more cushion support and less grip, while shoes meant for soft courts like grass courts will have more grip and maybe even pimple-like ‘nubs’ to increase friction. Shoes for racket sports are available in different weights. Heavier shoes are more durable, stable and provide more cushioning, but are more likely to inhibit a player’s agility than lighter shoes.
When in doubt, visit a specialist sports store and seek help from experts. If you’d like to browse quality sports shoes that can double up as stylish casualwear, visit Weston Corp, New Balance and The Ride Side in Kallang Wave Mall to take your pick.
