Badminton, Cricket, Tennis, Athletics: Indian sportswomen are setting new records across all sports. These professionals have inspired many young girls and women to play a sport. It isn’t surprising to see how this has driven shoe brands in India to expand their range of sports shoes for women.
There are so many types of sports shoes, designs, and colours to choose from. But you shouldn’t buy sports shoes based on their appearance or because you found branded shoes at the lowest price. There are many factors you should look into. Let’s find them out!
Casual vs Sports Shoes for Women
Women’s footwear falls into 2 main categories: casual and sports shoes. Often, you’ll find sneaker designs listed under casual women’s footwear. So, what differentiates them?
Casual sneakers put style first. They’re designed to look good, but do not place too much importance on how they influence the movement of your feet or their ability to absorb shocks.
On the other hand, sports shoes for women balance aesthetics with functionality. These sneaker designs focus on how they hold your feet, the support they provide, and how they can enhance your performance. You can wear sports shoes for casual events, but wearing casual sneakers for a basketball game or a morning jog around the park wouldn’t be advisable.
Factors to Consider When Buying Sports Shoes for Women
At first glance, all sports shoes for women look similar. But look closer, and you’ll begin to see how some sports shoes are better than others. Here are a few key points to look into.
Upper Materials
As the name suggests, the ‘upper’ section of a pair of sports shoes refers to the material covering the top and sides of your feet. The choice of upper materials influences how comfortable the shoes are and their durability.
Some of the most popular material choices are:
- Knit
This gives running shoes a sock-like fit that delivers all-day comfort and flexibility.
- Mesh
Mesh is known for its excellent breathability properties. This keeps your feet cool and dry. In turn, it prevents blisters and shoe bites.
- Canvas
The lightweight nature of canvas makes it a good choice for casual running shoes.
- Faux leather
This material is known for its durability and lightweight nature. It is also cheaper than real leather, more breathable, and easier to maintain.
Sports shoes often use a combination of faux leather with knit or mesh. Having faux leather around the sides and toe-cap makes the shoes stronger, while the knit or mesh keeps them breathable and lightweight.
The Sole
You might consider the sole to be a single element in sports shoe anatomy. However, it comprises 2 distinct sections: the insole and the outsole. The insole is the section inside a pair of shoes cushions your feet from below. The outsole is the hard material you see on the shoe’s exteriors.
Insole materials
Cushioning is the key function of the insole. Hence, the material used here must be soft yet capable of holding its form. Memory foam and silicone are popular choices. Memory foam provides excellent overall cushioning and conforms to the shape of your feet. On the other hand, silicone is a good choice for targeted pressure relief. It’s often used for the heel section.
Outsole materials
The outsole material choice determines the shoe’s durability and the support it provides. The shock-absorbing and water-resistant properties of rubber make it a common choice. However, this could increase the weight of your shoes. Today, many shoe designers use Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) and Thermoplastic Polyurethane or TPU for the outsole. These compounds are lightweight and yet, durable.
Weight
When you’re buying running shoes, the shoe’s weight is an important consideration. This is about more than comfort. The shoe’s weight can make or break your performance.
Wearing lighter sports shoes reduces the amount of effort required to run. They are considered good choices for sprints and short-distance runs. But, lower weight may come at the cost of lower durability. Hence, many sports women often prefer lightweight shoes for game days and heavier sports shoes for training sessions and long-distance runs.
Sole Thickness
Sports shoes for women have varying sole thicknesses. Some soles are thin enough to mimic the feeling of running barefoot. The thinness of the soles makes these shoes extremely lightweight and flexible. However, they may not be a good choice for running on unpaved surfaces. They may not be very good at absorbing shocks and, thus, could increase the risk of injuring your feet.
On the other hand, a thicker sole is better at absorbing shocks and cushioning your feet. This also reduces the strain on your knee, hip, and lower back joints. You can wear these for a cross-country run as well as a track meet. However, thicker soles may be heavier and more rigid.
Arch Support
The arch of your feet refers to the curve on the soles of your feet. This influences how weight is distributed across your foot and how well your feet can absorb shocks. Arches can be categorised as low arches or flat feet, medium or normal arches, and high arches.
The easiest way to understand your foot arch is with a wet imprint. If you have a low arch, you’ll find that your feet fall flat on the ground. If the arch is high, there may be a visible gap between the front and heel section of the imprint. If you have a normal arch imprint, you’ll see a half-filled arch with a noticeable curve on your foot’s inner side.
If you’ve got flat feet, you may require sports shoes with stability soles. These soles have a stiff heel counter, rigid base, and plenty of padding under the heel. The outsole may also be designed with a slightly higher curve towards the inside that keeps the ankle from rolling inwards.
If you have a high arch, your feet will need even cushioning throughout the sole. These are also known as neutral soles. They have a soft heel counter and offer greater flexibility.
Heel Drop
Heel drop refers to the difference in the height between a shoe’s forefront and heel section. A low help drop keeps your sole almost parallel to the ground. A high heel drop keeps your feet in a noticeably inclined position, with the heel higher than the forefront. This term may be measured in millimetres, but it has a significant impact on the way you run.
Women’s footwear with a low heel drop encourages a forefront or midfoot strike. This refers to a running style where your foot’s front or midsection is the first to hit the ground. This can put more stress on your ankles. Switching to high-heel drop shoes can shift the stress to your knees and hips if your ankles are prone to injury. These shoes encourage a stride where your heel is the first to hit the ground.
Technology
Many shoe brands in India are leveraging technology to make their shoes more performance-oriented. This comes from innovative materials and elements that improve the running experience.
For example, some sports shoes for women may incorporate air weave technology to improve air circulation within the shoes. This keeps your feet cool and reduces the friction between your feet and the upper material. In turn, this keeps shoe bits at bay.
Some running shoes may have air pockets in the sole. This can make the shoes more responsive. These air pockets are compressed when your feet hit the ground. As your foot lifts off the ground, the air pockets decompress to give your movements a spring-life effect. This technology also improves the shoe’s ability to absorb impact and protect your joints and muscles.
Finding the Best Sports Shoes for Women
Whether trying to build a healthier routine or participating in a competition, having the right shoes is critical to your performance. There are countless women’s footwear brands to choose from. Finding branded shoes at the lowest price should not be your only concern.
You must ensure these shoes are comfortable, support your feet, and are energy-efficient. They should also be durable and able to withstand the wear and tear of regular use. You might find that you need different shoes for weekend hikes and your daily cricket coaching sessions. Take a look at the sports shoes for women by Asian Footwears. As a premium sports shoe brand in India, Asian Footwears prioritises the aesthetic, functional, and practical aspects of shoe design. The shoes are performance-oriented yet trendy and fashion-forward. There’s something for everyone here. Take a look at our latest collection here. You can also call us at +91 7561000092 or email us at info@asianfootwears.com.
