Sneakers. What’s not to love? Generations of sneakerheads have cultivated an obsession as they collect, trade and share — coveting vast stores of knowledge about the brand histories and designs.

Sneakers aren’t just for sneakerheads though. They are a wardrobe essential. The right sneakers not only feel great and provide necessary protection for your feet, they also present an opportunity to show off your personal style, display your favorite brand, add a pop of color and have some fun. Designer sneakers can easily cost over 1,000 dollars, so it is important to figure out what you want and need before spending your money.

Like buying a diamond where selection guidelines include the 4 Cs of cut, color, clarity and carat, sneaker selection also requires 4 Cs. These include color, contour, comfort and cost — armed with this information, selecting and purchasing sneakers is truly an exhilarating and worthwhile experience.

Foot Types

Before digging into the 4 Cs, let’s explore the three main foot types. Once you are aware of your foot type, it will be easier to pick the proper supportive shoe.

The Pronated Foot

Sit and look down at the arch of your right or left foot. If you don’t see any space between the arch of your foot and the floor, you likely have a pronated foot. If you see space between your arch and the floor, stand up and put all your weight on that foot. If the arch flattens to the floor, you have a pronated foot and will need a more supportive sneaker.

The Supinated Foot

Sit and look down at the space between the floor and your arches. If you see a pronounced space between the floor and your arches and then you probably have a supinated foot. Now, stand up and put all your weight on one foot. If the space remains high with no changes, then you have a supinated foot.

The Neutral Foot

Sit and look down at your foot. If you see space between your arch and the floor, it will not be excessive. When you stand up, the space in the arch may flatten to a degree, but you will still see space in the arch. In this case, you have a neutral arch foot.

You fall into one of these three categories of foot type unless you have a congenital deformity or have had corrective foot surgery.

Color, Contour, Comfort and Cost

Color

Color is very important depending on the time of day you are using the shoe and for what purpose. If you exercise outdoors in the evening or walk home from work, it is important that your shoes have reflectors to help other pedestrians, bikers and drivers recognize you. Bright reflective colors, such as white and yellow, can be great for making you more visible, thereby keeping you safe.

If you have a very large foot, and you wish to make your foot appear smaller, darker colors can help. Bright colors or pastel shades may have the opposite effect. But, don’t feel you can only wear dark brown and black shoes. Darker earth tones and grays as well as deep jewel tones can also meet your standards.

Sneakers can get pretty dirty based on your work or activity, so you may opt for a dark color to hide the dirt. Black is a fan favorite. It also can make less expensive shoes look a bit more upscale.

Your wardrobe has a huge impact on sneaker color. You may want sneakers to add a pop or focal point to an, otherwise, muted wardrobe. Yet, if you wear a lot of bright colored clothes, you may be seeking color contrast in darker shades.

Let’s not forget about favorite color. There is something special about putting on your favorite color. It can truly boost your mood, increase your confidence and put some literal pep in your step.

Try several brands that have the colors you need or like. If two sneakers feel good and meet your needs, pick the one in the color you like best.

Contour

The word contour is defined as an outline, and you can use it to make the choice of sneaker type. Top quality sneakers come in three different contours: neutral control, stability control or motion control.

Neutral control:

These sneakers have solid arches and can be used for running or walking. If you have neutral arches or supinated arches, you don’t need excessive arch support, and you typically don’t experience much foot pain.

Stability control:

These sneakers have added arch support and are helpful if you have pronated feet or have neutral arches but are dealing with issues, such as plantar fasciitis.

Motion control:

These sneakers have the highest and most rigid arches. You’ll appreciate these sneakers if you have foot pronation, foot pain or you recently had surgery and need the added support.

Comfort

Once you try on the proper contour sneaker for your foot, the next step is comfort. Different brands will fit differently even though they are the same size, width and contour. Don’t be afraid to try on several sneakers across different brands to find the most comfortable fit. The shoe should be comfortable immediately. You should never have to “break it in.”

Cost

Sneaker fibers can impact durability and affordability.

Cow’s leather is a go-to material. It is durable, flexible, water-resistant and stretchable. If you can afford it, it is worth the expense. However, if leather is not within your price range, there are other options.

A mix of textiles can be used in sneaker construction for a more affordable shoe.

Human-made polymer fibers are lightweight and durable. Lycra, for example, is stretchable, and cotton canvas has elasticity and strength.

Synthetic sneakers come in a variety of colors and textures and are often more affordable.

Many different sneakers also include open- or closed-cell foam. Open-cell foam is used for tongues and collars, allowing extra support with few wrinkles. Closed-cell foam is often used for collars and outsoles and is often denser.

In today’s market, a descent quality walking/running shoe for the average wearer runs between 80 dollars to 120 dollars. Sneakers that cost less than 80 dollars are typically lower quality and have flexible arch support. Much more expensive shoes (over 120 dollars) won’t necessarily last much longer than last year’s model. Look for sales of last year’s models or shop in the summer for the best prices.

What to Remember

Buying sneakers can be challenging, but if you know what colors are desirable, what type of foot contour you have, what comfort level you expect and what you can afford to spend, shopping for sneakers can be an enjoyable experience. Visit reputable sports stores or shoe stores that carry a variety of quality brands, not imitations or knock offs. Find a store with knowledgeable sales associates who will listen to your needs and show you several sneakers in your price range. If possible, try not to go too cheap because quality sneakers will generally last longer and save you from lower extremity issues in the future.

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About Jay Goodman, PT, SCS

Jay Goodman is a long-time physical therapist who specializes in treating orthopaedic issues and injuries related to sports and activity. He has worked with elementary, middle and high school athletes, college athletes and professional athletes throughout his long career. He also loves helping today’s office worker who suffers from “tech neck”, hip issues and other conditions related to sitting at a desk. Goodman received his bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Hunter College in Manhattan and has much specialty training under his belt.

Goodman chose to go into physical therapy because he simply wanted to help people live better. As a physical therapist for almost 40 years, he has treated people ages 5 to 95 and watched their lives improve in meaningful and predictable ways with physical therapy. “When you help someone walk, run, swim or return to work again without pain, the rewards are priceless,” he says.

Specialty training: Temporal Mandibular Joint (TMJ) Therapy, Aquatic Therapy, Kinesio Taping, Manual Therapy, Strain-Counter-Strain Therapy, Sports Therapy & Training and Muscle Energy Technique