Choosing sport shoes...

There's no shortage of websites, magazine and newspaper review of sport shoes... In this regard, I find that the American Association of Podiatric Sports Medicine provides sensible and comprehensive advice... http://www.aapsm.org/runshoe.html

So rather than duplicating the wheel, do check out their website. Other key pointers - beware of marketing hype or SELECTIVE information presented ('barefoot running will lead you to less injury', wear 'minimalist shoes' to strengthen your feet). Thus far, there has not been much research in peer-reviewed journals to confirm / disconfirm every claim made by barefoot / minimalist shoes proponents. Offhand, there are people who have mentioned that they have stress fractures after running in Vibram Five Fingers (see podiatryarena's forum).

All is not lost, here are some general principles to help you.

1. What main type of  activity will you be doing?

Choose sport-specific shoes... There *is* a difference between running and walking! When you run, there is a point in time when your feet are off the ground... Not surprisingly, there is much more impact to your joints when you run than when you walk.

Other high impact activities - plyometric drills (explosive movements eg, burpee, jumping lunges, etc)... So, a minimalist shoe may not have enough cushioning for this.

2) Environment - where are you (mainly) going to do this activity?
If you frequently have access to the beach (soft sand) or park/garden with natural soft grass then barefoot or minimalist shoes will be fine because the soft ground can cushion some of the impact.

Many martial arts style like to train barefoot and do conditioning exercises such as jumps, etc... Be careful, because the impact of jumping on concrete is high compared to grass.

3) Your body and walking/running/movement patterns
As I have mentioned in one of the earlier blogs, do visit a physiotherapist/chiropractor to get a checkup. Typically, pelvis misalignments may lead to other suboptimal transfer of force to the knee, feet and ankle (thereby, predisposing you to pain and injury). Orthotics may be prescribed by the therapist.

If you have had multiple ankle injuries on the same side, then it is a warning sign that you need treatment and probably change to a less demanding activity for the time being.

What if you have flat feet, toes get tired easily, etc? I have tried Springboost shoes for about 3 years... very comfortable for walking because Springboost shoes have a negative heel (ie, heel is lower compared to the toes)... This means that when you walk, there is less pressure on your toes.. (see picture above). Unfortunately, they are not available in Malaysia (have to buy in Singapore).. so they can be pricey.

Recently, I have bought Skechers Shape-ups (see above) which is suitable for walking and some gym exercises. Never mind their claims about toning the body, I bought it mainly because of the rocker sole... this slightly unstable surface forces you to learn to balance... (Typically after multiple ankle injuries, your stability and sense of balance in one foot will decrease).. very comfortable on the feet... Price is about RM350

Paying up your $$$... After trying out the shoes in the shop and you have decided on the brand and model, do a quick quality control check...
Thanks to Dr George for the following tips:
Are the heights and lengths of both shoes the same? Put them side by side and measure (or estimate)
Is the heel crooked (if you put a pen vertically at the middle of the heel, it should be straight)

That's all folks...