Complaints About Athletic Shoes

People find their fitness regimen in a number of different ways. Some run outdoors, others hit the treadmill and others opt for sports such as basketball or field hockey. Whatever the method of physical fitness, one commonality exists -- athletic shoes. However, athletic shoes of all brands and sizes can present problems for athletes and fitness die-hards.

  1. Shoes Not Broken In

    • According to the American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society, "almost two-thirds of runners sustained injury that they believed shoe related." The organization stated that though this may be attributed to an improperly fitted shoe, a more common problem is an athletic shoe not being properly "broken in." To help alleviate this issue, don't simply take a new pair of athletic shoes and begin using them full time. Rather, use them intermittently on walks and jogs, thus allowing them to break in. While doing so, use an older, more "worn in" pair of athletic shoes to help ensure comfort.

    Improper Fitting

    • Improper shoe fitting is a common complaint among athletes. However, this isn't always because of the shoe itself. A 1982 survey by the Prescription Footwear Association found that all people have "mismatched" feet, meaning a shoe can fit properly on one foot but not another. According to the Presciption Footwear Association, "even if both feet have approximately the same shoe size, their structure (such as arch height and ball width) will differ." To combat a potential problem with an athletic shoe, consider buying "large" for one foot, thus ensuring a proper fit for the larger foot. Then, consider insoles or cushions to help provide less open space for the smaller foot.

    Lack of Support

    • Another common complaint of athletic shoes is a lack of support, whether it be via foot discomfort, stress fractures or other aches and pains. Aside from custom-fitted athletic shoes, it's impossible for a large line of athletic shoes to be tailored to everyone's varying foot sizes and shapes. For instance, a person with little arch in her foot might want to consider insoles to help cushion the feet during times of intense stress. Also, keep in mind that ePodiatry says that the common athletic or running shoe is good for about 600 miles of use. After this, support wanes, and it's best to purchase a new shoe.

    Insoles Won't Remove

    • ePodiatry recommends purchasing athletic shoes with removable insoles, because these are easier to alter in case of foot pain. In this case, removing the insoles and replacing with custom orthotics -- tailored to your foot size and shape -- is likely to lessen foot pain and the risk of injury.