Sporting the Right Shoes: Three Tips to Keep You On Top of Your Game

A girl in a red shirt and soccer uniform kicks a ball as four other players chase behind her in a youth soccer game.

April is National Foot Health Awareness Month, but any month is a good time to show some love to the extremities that walk us through this life.

Studies show that about 20% of Americans experience at least one foot problem each year.

Foot problems can be caused by underlying health conditions like diabetes or neuropathy or can be the result of a sports-related injury, such as tendonitis, sprains, and stress fractures.

With spring in full swing, many South Shore residents will be increasing their outdoor activity level, particularly when it comes to sports.

While the type of equipment will vary depending on the sport you’re playing, all spring sports have at least one requirement in common: the right footwear!

Follow these tips to help make sure you’re picking the right kicks to keep you and your feet at the top of their game.

Have your feet professionally measured before you play

While it might be tempting (particularly for parents of young kids) to just throw on last season’s footwear and call it a day, it’s important to make sure that any athletic footwear fits properly.

Many sports put unique strains or pressures on the feet, whether from jumping, planting, or running – because of these pressures, proper-fitting footwear is essential.

Having shoes that fit properly can help lessen the risk of some common foot injuries (like blisters) and can help provide your foot with the support it needs to perform at a high level.

Prior to the start of the sports season or before really ramping up your running routine, consider having your feet professionally measured by a podiatrist to ensure that your footwear is the proper size.

A podiatrist will also be able to determine your foot arch type, which can help you find an even better fit.

If you can’t get in to see a podiatrist, a footwear store will likely have a Brannock Device® that can provide an accurate measurement as well.

Wear sport-specific shoes

As mentioned above, certain sports can put unique pressures on your feet due to the actions required by those sports.

Due to those pressures, it’s best to wear sport-specific shoes instead of opting for an “all-in-one” approach.

While it may seem like a shoe is a shoe, sport-specific shoes often have advantages that may not immediately jump out at you.

For example:

  • Basketball shoes have thick soles and high ankle construction to provide support for the foot and ankle while jumping, landing, and making quick directional changes.
  • Running shoes have built-in shock absorption, which helps cushion the blow of putting so many high-impact miles on your feet.
  • Soccer cleats have a strong footbed and feature different studs depending on the field type (turf, soft grass, etc.).


While you may be fine wearing running sneakers at a casual pick-up basketball game with friends, any athletes playing at an intense level should invest in the appropriate footwear to reduce the risk of injury.

Seek care if you experience foot pain

Too many athletes, whether 5K runners or high school baseball players, chalk foot pain up to being part of the game.

However, foot pain is usually a sign that there’s something wrong – whether due to an underlying health condition, ill-fitting footwear, or something else.

In many cases, foot pain that is addressed early can prevent an issue from developing into something more serious down the line.

A podiatrist will work with you to identify the root cause of your foot pain and to recommend the appropriate treatment.

By stopping foot pain in its tracks, you’ll be able to stay out on the field, court, or track and enjoy everything that spring on the South Shore has to offer.


Learn more about Podiatry at South Shore Health.