5 Tips for Choosing the Right Sneakers
In 2017, the sales of sneakers and sports-inspired shoes grew by 46 percent.
One of the main catalysts of this growth is the fact that people are turning sportswear into everyday wear.
Whether you are a seasoned buyer or a novice, it is important to always remember that just because a pair of sneakers fits and looks good, does not mean that it is the right fit for you. The following are factors to put into consideration when choosing the right sneakers:
Purpose of the sneaker
It is important to match your sneaker to the type of activity you do or plan on doing. For instance, if you do a lot of walking, you should go for a sneaker that is flexible and cushioned so that it can support and firmly secure your foot. You can test these two attributes by walking around the store with the shoe on.
Running sneakers should be more stable and breathable. Moreover, since the feet will be hitting the ground, there should be enough cushioning, especially at the bottom.
There are also sneakers specifically designed for cycling and cross-training. Balenciaga Sneakers provides a nice collection of all these different types of sneakers.
Know your foot type
You have to know your foot type so that you can buy the right sneaker. There are three main foot types: high-arched foot, neutral and flat foot.
High-arched feet are rare and beautiful. However, people with such feet experience supination – their feet roll outward when hitting the ground. As such, their shoes wear out on the outer edge of the forefoot and heel. These people require highly cushioned sneakers and shoes that encourage the feet to roll inward, not outwards.
Flat-footed people, on the other hand, suffer overpronation – the arch of their foot is so flexible that the foot falls inwards when it hits the ground. With the wrong sneakers, these people risk heel spurs, plantar fasciitis and bunions. They require stability sneakers or motion-control sneakers with orthotic insoles.
People with the neutral foot type, the arch is neither too high or too low, feel comfortable in almost any type or brand of sneaker.
Feet do change
Contrary to common belief, the foot size in adults does change. Therefore, measure your foot size at least every year or right before you buy new sneakers. Remember, sizes do differ across brands.
During the course of the day, feet may swell. Therefore, it is advisable to shop for shoes towards the end of the day.
If you wear running socks or orthotics socks, bring them when fitting new shoes. These socks have a significant thickness that could affect how the sneakers will fit.
Consider the rule of thumb when choosing the right sneakers
A pair of sneakers should not fit too tightly, especially if you are buying sneakers for sports and workouts. During sneaker fitting, allow between 3/8- to 1/2-inch between the end of the shoe and the thumb of your foot.
The part of the shoe that covers the top of your foot should be snug, but not too tight. But, the heel should be relatively tight as you do not want the shoe to slip over the heel as you walk.
Consider the return policy
Imagine how disappointing it would be to get home only to find out the new kicks do not fit well, or they do not offer good support. That is why most shoe stores now have return policies for sneakers.
Some stores are as accommodating as to offer a 30-day return policy. If you are unlucky to find a good shoe in a store with no return policy, consider getting the same shoe at a different retailer.
Don’t do it blindly
Clearly, there is more to choosing the right sneakers than fashion. The tips outlined above will help you make a better sneaker decision.
Do you want to make more informed fashion decisions? Check out this post to learn how to sync your shoes with your other accessories.
Article written by Jane Davies
This article was written by the guest author listed at the end of the article.