I. LOVE. SHOES. And probably have way too many pairs. But HEY — I say it's okay because I wear sneakers every day. It's in my job description. :)
Here's my two cents on different sneaker types and what to look for when buying a pair.
Training shoes (for HIIT, aerobic/kickboxing classes, plyometric training, etc.)
- Made for a variety of movements including side-to-side, quick stops/starts, and jumping — think speed, agility, quickness, and plyometric movements
- Typically a more snug fit around the foot
- Smaller heel drop (distance from heel height to toe height)
Weight lifting shoes (for Olympic lifts, powerlifting, or weight-focused workouts)
- Made for weight-focused workouts and provide a lot of support and balance
- Some styles have lifted heels and/or a solid hard base and allow for more Range of Motion in movements
- Some styles have a flat, solid/hard base and allow for less ROM in movements
- Most styles are made of sturdy, less flexible material
Running shoes (for running, duh)
- Made for forward movement
- Keeps your feet comfortable during longer distances and provides shock absorption
- Has a higher heel drop (distance from heel height to toe height)
Brands and styles I like
- Training — Nike Free, Nike Training Flex TR8; APL Techloom Phantom, Techloom Ascend
- Weight lifting — Nike Metcon, Reebok CrossFit Nano
- Running — Brooks Running Ghost, ASICS GEL-Cumulus
Overall advice: go try a bunch of shoes on. There are brands that I love and feel great on my feet, and other people can't stand them. Yes, it might take some trial and error — but once you find brands and styles you like, you'll probably stick with them, because your workouts and runs will greatly benefit.
