Sports Shoes: 5 Ways To Tell If They’re Bad For Your Feet

To train better and prevent injuries, learn to identify these few signs that tell you that your athletic shoes are doing your feet more harm than good.

They Are Tired

Okay, you love your old pair of sneakers, but be reasonable: you’ve been dragging them around for years, and now is the time to get rid of them. “If your athletic shoes are old and worn, they may not support your weight, which can not only injure your feet but the rest of your body,” podiatrist Jacqueline Sutera tells us. It is normally estimated that you need to change your shoes every 450 to 700 kilometers, but you may see some signs of wear and deterioration well before that.

Lay your shoes on top of a table and observe them from eye level, then turn them over and examine the soles. If the outer portion of the sole is soft, uneven, and worn out, it’s time to buy a new pair.

They Are Not Suitable For The Type Of Exercise You Are Doing

You shouldn’t wear running shoes for your Zumba class or basketball shoes for hiking. “The evolution of technology is such that wearing shoes that are not suitable for a specific workout could cause injury,”. For example, running and walking shoes are made for forwarding movement and therefore have reinforcements for maximum shock absorption, adds the podiatrist. On the other hand, tennis or basketball shoes will need lateral reinforcements. Cross-training shoes can be used for low impact workouts like weight lifting, rowing, elliptical machine, and Zumba.

You Wear Them Everyday

Exercise shoes are comfortable, so it is tempting to wear them when going shopping. But if you wear them all day and keep them on for training too, you risk hampering their effectiveness when exercising. “You should have a pair for exercise,” advises RAXShoes professional. Wearing the same pair for your everyday things and for sports is not a good idea as you put different stress on them during different activities. This can cause your shoes to age prematurely along with injury.”

They Are Not The Right Size

“Wearing athletic shoes that do not fit the shape of your foot perfectly is synonymous with injury guaranteed,” Poorly fitting shoes cause pain, worsen bunions and hammertoes, and damage your nails. They can even cause ankle pain, tendonitis, and stress fractures. It is important to try on the shoes well and not to rely on your size only since some manufacturers fit larger, others smaller. “Better to go shopping at the end of the day when your feet are swollen, rather than when you wake up in the morning”. Be careful to choose a wider shoe if you have bunions or hammertoes.”

They Lack of Support

In addition to finding the perfect size and shape, you need to ensure that your shoes have good arch support, good cushioning, and sufficient shock absorption. “These are the three basic things you should always look out for in a shoe”. The shoes missing support, padding, and cushioning may not adequately protect your foot during activities to impact.”

Also See: 3 Criteria For Choosing The Right Hiking Boots