Sports

Fitness Friday: Choosing The Right Sneakers

Main Street shoe store manager explains the different types, proper fit and lifespan of athletic footwear.

Last week, more than 20 Smithtown athletes swam, biked and ran at the Smith Point triathlon. Hundreds of the youth here play baseball, basketball, football, lacrosse, soccer and run. Walkers trek the Sunken Meadow Boardwalk all year round. The types of athletic activity may vary in Smithtown, but they all require one same basic thing: reliable athletic footwear.

"The proper fit is as important as the shoe itself," said Gary Czeh, a manager at the Incredible Feets shoe store on Main Street.

Incredible Feets has fitted more than 3,500 families and individuals for sneakers in Smithtown, according to their customer database.

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Unlike the larger chain stores, Czeh and his staff are always on the floor to measure both kids and adults for athletic shoes. 

"It's what sets us apart," he said. "Measuring for fit is very important."

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The general policy at Incredible Feets is that children require one full sneaker size of extra space (about a the size of a thumb nail) and that adults should purchase sneakers one half-size up,

Incredible Feets sells running, cross-training, basketball and tennis sneakers, in addition to cleats and everyday shoes like Shape-ups and Uggs.

Czek explained that running sneakers vary by composition. "Some have gel, some have foam and some air," he said. "It is really a personal preference what material you choose, but the most serious runners tend to go for the gel, like the Asics"

Cross-training shoes are used for aerobic activities besides running and they provide greater side-to-side support, according to Czek. Basketball sneakers combine the features of running and cross-training footwear and add additional ankle support.

Sneakers wear out at different rates based on how often they are used, but the maximum life of a shoe should never be more than eight months, Czeh said.

"After six months you'll start to feel the difference," he said. "The shelf life of a sneaker is six to eight months.  After that the cushioning is deteriorated and the support is gone.  It will definitely influence performance."


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