A current perception of running shoes is of a colorful, rubbery and laced sneaker. Over the past few years, the definition of the perfect athletic shoe has evolved. Individuals select certain models of shoe based on unique criteria that often correspond to a sport.
Due to the importance of feet in respective sports, runners and athletes treat their feet and the shoes that support them with extra care. Sophomore football player Daniel Romero says high top shoes are preferable for football players. He says, “My shoes get a better grip on my foot and on the floor, and they are safer if I need to jump from the ground.”
Along with football players, basketball players require shoes that function well over short distances. Sophomore basketball player Ryan Ferguson says, “I like Nikes and Jordans and I think they are the best for players. You want shoes with lots of supports in them.” Ferguson has sprained his ankle in previous shoes and attributes that to the lack of ankle support.
Margot Bellon, a freshman on the varsity cross country team, says, “I’ve twisted my ankle on a rock after running with my flats but that was the only serious injury I have had.” Running flats are shoes designed to have little to no support, hence the name “flats.” But besides sustaining an injury, Bellon states that her flats improve her walking and running form. Along with flats, Bellon has Nike Stability shoes, which she says are better for her feet. She says her previous Nike Free Runs damaged her feet and deformed her arch. Bellon needed shoes that would “improve her leg and foot muscles.”
Freshman runner for the varsity cross country team David Prager says, “I have never been injured in my shoes, but I need shoes that have support, I feel more comfortable … and they are better for my knees.” Prager uses Saucony running shoes that are the “most squishy” he has had. In Prager’s opinion, shoes that are the most comfortable for him suit him best. He says, “You could get shin splints from racing flats … they have no support.” While shoes with more support are comfortable, they are heavy and slow runners down. Freshman cross-country runner Jake Pilgrim favors “minimalist” shoes. Pilgrim says, “You’re less likely to get injured in major support shoes but you get stronger in toe shoes and they also improve your gait.”
Sophomore cross country runner Jason Lim’s opinion differs. Lim says, “When I’m practicing, I use shoes with more support, as it helps a lot, because it hurts my feet if I don’t use them.” But when Lim is racing, flats are more suitable according to Lim. He says, “Flats decrease my weight when I’m running.”
Runners are not the only athletes who require a particular running shoe; cheerleaders also opt for a specific running shoe. Junior cheerleader Kimberly Mota Sanchez says, “For cheerleading, we need cheer shoes; the shoes have a flat base, so the base [cheerleader] has a flat surface to hold onto when a cheerleader has to jump.” Cheer shoes are completely white and are similar to flat shoes.
Science teacher Asif Rahman can be seen sporting a type of toe shoes called Vibram FiveFingers running shoes. This relatively new, unique type of shoes has gained popularity among runners. Toe shoes are a type of running shoe designed for minimalist running—or barefoot running. These shoes are unconventional but, considered by some to be more effective running shoes. Rahman says, “[My shoes] are much more comfortable than regular running shoes and allow for natural foot biomechanics.” Foot biomechanics is the structure of the foot, how a foot moves naturally, and how a foot would touch the ground.
“Toe shoes” are unique in that they don’t look like any conventional running shoe. Toe shoes improve leg and hamstring muscles while normal shoes may ruin posture. Although toe shoes have a small layer separating the foot and the ground, the footwear is supposed to have the sensation of walking barefoot, which is preferable to walking in any other type of shoe. Rahman has never been injured in his toe shoes, but he says, “You have to ease into your [toe] shoes. It is hard to go from big and heavy shoes to these as you would be so used to those shoes. It is easy to get injured when you switch.”
Although most individuals generally gravitate towards the traditional athletic shoe, it may be beneficial for athletes to opt to use specialized shoes for a heightened running experience.
