About Track Shoes

Track shoes have had quite a makeover from their humble beginnings. We now have many options when it comes to buying track shoes. Choosing the right track shoe for your foot is important to ensure comfort and maximum benefits.

  1. The First Rubber-Soled Shoe

    • The first patented shoe with a rubber sole was created by Wait Webster in 1832. These shoes did not make noise when worn, so they were dubbed, "sneakers." These shoes had canvas with laces attached to the rubber sole.

    The First Spike Track Shoe

    • In 1852, spiked shoes meant for running were created. In 1894 the Spalding Company created three different grades of spiked shoes. These innovative shoes were composed of kangaroo leather and six spikes, costing a whopping $6.00. In those days, $6.00 was more than half of an average family's weekly income. During the same time period, Joseph William Foster created the first sports shoe company in the United Kingdom, which was later renamed Reebok.

    The Basketball Shoe is Born

    • Converse manufactured the higher boot style shoe, made for basketball, in 1917. These shoes featured a signature on the ankle, so many people began referring to them as "Chucks." Besides wearing these shoes for basketball, people were soon seen wearing Chucks on the tennis courts.

    Modern-Day Track Shoes

    • In 1920, Adolf Dassler began making the modern-day running shoe. War made supplies scarce, creating issues for shoe makers. Dassler was resourceful and creative; he used tent canvas to create shoes. Dassler's shoes became popular worldwide, worn by such athletes as Jesse Owens. In 1848, Dassler founded the ever-popular shoe company, Adidas. Later, Adidas split into another company, Puma, which is still popular today.

    Choosing the Right Spike Shoe

    • Spike shoes are meant for running on grass and the open country. If you are running cross country on grass or dirt, pyramid spikes are your best option. Needle spikes are appropriate for all-weather tracks, since they provide good traction. If you are looking for bounce as well as traction, Christmas Tree spikes are great, since they are a mix of pyramid and needle spikes. Tartan spikes are another form of spike shoes; however, they are not used as often, since they are only good for select rubber tracks.

    Choosing Non-Spike Track Shoes

    • The way a person walks or runs is important when buying a pair of track shoes. When you walk, your feet either stay neutral or roll toward the outside or inside. If your feet roll to the outside, you are under-pronating. If your feet roll toward the inside, you are over-pronating. If you under-pronate, you need to buy a shoe that is flexible yet provides extra balance. If you are over-pronating, you need to consider a motion-control training shoe.

    Buying a Track Shoe

    • Track shoes have had a long history of change and advancements. There are many specialty stores with trained salespeople who can help you figure out which track shoe is best for you. With high-tech features and bright bold colors, track shoes have come a long way from being made of rubber and scrap tent canvas.