It is very important to have proper sports footwear when participating in any physical activity – improper footwear can cause a number of injuries. Choosing the right shoe will both protect your feet and improve your performance.

The best time to be fitted for your athletic shoes is right after you work out. This ensures that the shoe will provide proper support and comfort when your foot is at its largest.

For a guide to choosing the proper support for your feet that fit your personal need, visit:

http://www.shoes.com/runningshop

Steps to finding your perfect shoe:

Choose a support level of your shoe based on what activities you plan on participating in. Do you need cushioning or stability? For instance – If you have  high arches, you should be picking a shoe with a lot of arch support.

Is the shoe comfortable? You should immediately be able to tell if the shoe is comfortable enough or if you need more support. Walk around a bit so you can get the feel for them and make sure you can freely move all of your toes. This will help avoid cramping and discomfort at times when you’re on your feet for a long time.Make sure the sole of your shoe has proper grip. Your new shoes should not slip or loose grip of the ground.

Perhaps one of the biggest “no-no’s” of choosing athletic shoes- do NOT base your shoe choice on looks. While it may seem important at the time, looks are much less important than your safety. Choosing a shoe based on the way they look may lead to choosing one that doesn’t support your feet properly. If it doesn’t have the support you need, the shoe could possibly cause injuries.

By following this guide, you are well on your way to finding the right athletic shoe fitting of your needs.