GUIDELINES FOR BUYING SHOES

When purchasing shoes for a specific sport of fitness activity, you must consider your foot type. People with high-arched feet tend to require greater shock absorption than those with average feet. High-arched (cavus) feet also suffer from lateral instability and are more prone to ankle sprains. Conversely, people with low-arched ("flat") feet require shoes with less cushioning but greater support and heel control. After considering the type of shoe needed for a particular activity and evaluating your needs based on your foot type, use the following information to ensure you get the best fit:

Choose an athletic-shoe store or specialty store with a large inventory. They will have a variety of sizes available.

Try to get fitted for footwear at the end of the day, when foot size is at its maximum. It is not unusual for an individual's foot to increase one-half a shoe size during the course of a single day.

Allow ½ inch or width of your index finger, between the end of your longest toe and the end of the shoe. If one foot is larger than the other, buy the larger size.

The shoe should be as wide as possible across the forefoot without allowing slippage in the heel. If the shoe has variable-width lacing, experiment with the narrow and wide eyelets to achieve a custom fit.

Final Considerations

Athletic shoes no longer require a breaking-in period. However, they will lose their cushioning after three to six months of regular use. It is important to be aware of when your shoes need to be replaced because if they are no longer absorbing the pounding and jarring action of the activity, you are more likely to sustain knee and ankle injuries.