It's Got to Be the Shoes

Every sneaker company has a gimmick, and usually that gimmick revolves around big-name athletes. I remember when the first Air Jordans hit the market. I barely knew who Michael Jordan was back then, not being much of a basketball fan beyond Dr. J and the 76ers. I do remember buying my todder daughter her first pair of high tops, red and black rip-offs of the Air Jordans, without knowing they were rip-offs. I just thought they were cute sneakers.

My first pair of "real" sneakers (aka boy sneakers, with the rubber-coated toes) was a pair of John Havelicek basketball sneakers, white with black stripes, don't ask me who made them. I was 10 years old and suddenly a great basketball star, thanks to these shoes. (And this was before athletic shoe commercials!) In my mind, I could beat anyone in basketball if I was wearing those sneakers. In reality, I was still a rotten basketball player.

Now, with advertising blitzes, every sneaker brand is a Must Have. Every brand will make you a Star Player. And most of those shoes will put the buyer into serious Credit Card Debt. While price and brand name may be the factors for the average sneaker buyer, athletes need to be a lot more particular. Brand loyalty is a big deal, I know (heck, I've got my own favorite brand of sneaker, and I searched for two years to find a pair). But there is more to it than that.

My husband recently took a Fitness for Life gym class at the local university. One of the topics discussed was buying the proper shoe for your needs. As he needed a new pair of sneakers himself, the timing was perfect. He put these few suggestions to use and found, what he says, are the best sneakers he's ever owned. In fact, I haven't heard him complain about his aching knees since he's bought these shoes! It isn't the brand; it's the fit and design.

First, you must know the shape of your foot when you are placing your weight on it. My husband took two pieces of paper and had me outline his bare feet where they touched the paper (getting a good idea of the arch and how you place weight on it).

Second, you must understand that shoes are made for specific activities, so you must pick a shoe that fits your arch and select a shoe that is designed for your sport. It is important to know where the weight balance will be -- on the heel or the toe.

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