Athletic Training Blog Series #15
Anatomy of A Sneaker
Anyone else out there a sneaker hoarder? I mean I have 2 extra pairs in my room at school just in case I need to swap out (rain/mud etc) mid day. And since my mom will probably read this I will not share the actual number of pairs I currently own-but over the years I have learned what specific things I should be looking for when purchasing footwear. Not all sneakers are the same-but like the human anatomy-they all have the same pieces.
The Upper is the part of the shoe we all look at when buying. This is the “main body of the shoe”. It covers your foot and attaches to the sole of the shoe. It can be leather, cloth, or other materials. Shoe companies over the years have come up with amazing colors and patterns to make our sneakers appealing.
The Heel. It is actually one of the most crucial pieces of a sneaker. The heel holds your foot in place in the shoe. Comfort of the heel is vital, no one wants to get blisters or bleed. The heel should be able to hold up over time, some are more rigid than others.
The Toe Box. This is where your toes live. It can be a variety of shapes-pointed, rounded, square is. This is important to try as some are narrow versus wide. You do not want to squish your toes uncomfortably in an athletic shoe.
The Tongue. This the only piece of the shoe that should be able to move. Many newer style sneakers now include it as part of the upper so it does not slide around when you are working out.
The Insole. This could be the most important part of a shoe to fit to your foot. It should provide stability, support and comfort. Every sneaker is built differently, but the great thing is that insoles are removable, and if you have a custom insole for any variety of foot and ankle issues you can place that inside the shoe instead.
The Midsole. This is the foam, or rubber part of the shoe that provides cushioning for activity. It can be molded in a way to be neutral, pronator, or supinator (more on that in a moment)
The Outer Sole. The rubber on the very bottom of the shoe. It provides traction. Trail shoes have different types of soles than a track racing shoe, or a basketball shoe. Pay attention to what type of sole you are getting for your activity.
When we all walk, each person has a specific gait. Some pronate, others supinate, and some are neutral. Pronation is when your foot tends to go inward with more weight on your big toe and arch. Supination is when your foot goes outward and more weight is on your 5th metatarsal and little toe area. Neutral is the natural position with weight evenly distributed over the entire foot. Science and sneakers have caught up with us and they build shoes for these specifics. The best way to figure out what is best for you is to have someone watch you walk barefoot from behind. Many local running shoe stores will do this process with you (shameless plug for Marathon Running, and Charles River Running that do this) and help fit you with the correct walking or running shoe for your activity and foot.
Wishing you all happy sneaker shopping!
