Pictured are my red — what I call tennis — shoes. Guess I am old-fashioned. All those type shoes were called tennis shoes when I was growing up. Perhaps because tennis was the most popular sport? Not sure. At any rate, I used to play tennis and enjoyed wearing what are now called athletic shoes or sneakers. Since I retired, tennis shoes are my preferred footwear. My biggest decision about what to wear every day is choosing the appropriate T-shirt, sweatpants or leggings and tennis shoes. I’m sure everyone during the pandemic had the same decision. When you are at home, your fashion sense goes out the window. All you want is comfort. That is why I went to an outlet mall and bought six different colors of tennis shoes. Until I hurt my knee, I was walking 5-6 miles a day, so my tennis shoes wore out fast. I think you’re only supposed to keep them three months if you use them regularly. I have never bought really expensive athletic shoes. I have a friend who is a regular exerciser, and she paid $150 for her athletic shoes. Do they really make that much difference? Maybe I should try hers on and find out. Let’s learn more about athletic shoes.
According to Wikipedia, sneakers — also called trainers, athletic shoes, tennis shoes, gym shoes, kicks, sport shoes, flats, running shoes, skate shoes or runners — are shoes primarily designed for sports or other forms of physical exercise but that are now also widely used for everyday casual wear.
Since their popularization by companies such as Converse, Nike and Spalding in the mid-20th century, they have become attire, with variety growing in many global markets exponentially. Like other parts of the global clothing industry, manufacture of shoes is heavily concentrated in Asia with nine in ten shoes produced in that region.
Contemporary sneakers are largely made from synthetic materials, and the materials and manufacturing process produce, on average, about 31 lbs of CO2 emissions. Some companies are trying to substitute more sustainable materials in their manufacture. About 90% of shoes end up in landfills at the end of their lives.
Names and etymology
The shoes have gone by a variety of names, depending on geography and changing over the decades. The term "sneakers" is most commonly used in Northeastern United States, Central and South Florida, New Zealand and parts of Canada. However, in Australian, Canadian and Scottish English, running shoes and runners are synonymous terms used to refer to sneakers; with the latter term also used in Irish English. Tennis shoes is another term used in Australian and North American English.
The British English equivalent of sneaker in its modern form is divided into two separate types — predominantly outdoor and fashionable trainers, training shoes or quality “basketball shoes” and in contrast cheap rubber-soled, low cut and canvas-topped “plimsolls.” In Geordie English — from the Tyneside area of Northeast England, sneakers may also be called sandshoes, gym boots, or joggers; while plimsolls may be referred to as daps in Welsh English.
Several terms for sneakers exist in South Africa, including gym shoes, tennies, sports shoes, sneaks and takkies. Other names for sneakers includes rubber shoes in Philippine English, track shoes in Singapore English, canvas shoes in Nigerian English, Camboo in Ghana English meaning camp boot and sportex in Greece.
Plimsolls in British English are "low-tech" athletic shoes and are also called "sneakers" in American English. The word "sneaker" is often attributed to American Henry Nelson McKinney, who was an advertising agent for N. W. Ayer & Son. In 1917, he used the term because the rubber sole made the shoe's wearer stealthy. The word was already in use at least as early as 1887, when the Boston Journal made reference to "sneakers" as "the name boys give to tennis shoes." The name "sneakers" originally referred to how quiet the rubber soles were on the ground, in contrast to noisy standard hard leather sole dress shoes. Someone wearing sneakers could "sneak up," while someone wearing standard leather soles could not.
Earlier, the name "sneaks" had been used by prison inmates to refer to wardens because of the rubber-soled shoes they wore.
History
These shoes acquired the nickname “plimsoll” in the 1870s, derived according to Nicholette Jones' book “The Plimsoll Sensation,” from the colored horizontal band joining the upper to the sole, which resembled the Plimsoll line on a ship's hull. Alternatively, just like the Plimsoll line on a ship, if water got above the line of the rubber sole, the wearer would get wet.
Plimsolls were widely worn by vacationers and also began to be worn by sportsmen on the tennis and croquet courts for their comfort. Special soles with engraved patterns to increase the surface grip of the shoe were developed, and these were ordered in bulk for the use of the British Army. Athletic shoes were increasingly used for leisure and outdoor activities at the turn of the 20th century; plimsolls were even found with the ill-fated Scott Antarctic expedition of 1911. Plimsolls were commonly worn by pupils in schools' physical education lessons in the UK from the 1950s until the early 1970s.
British company J.W. Foster and Sons designed and produced the first shoes designed for running in 1895; the shoes were spiked to allow for greater traction and speed. The company sold its high-quality handmade running shoes to athletes around the world, eventually receiving a contract for the manufacture of running shoes for the British team in the 1924 Summer Olympics. Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell won the 100 m and 400 m events, kitted out with Foster's running gear.
This style of footwear also became prominent in America at the turn of the 20th century, where they were called “sneakers.” In 1892, U.S. Rubber Co. introduced the first rubber-soled shoes in the country, sparking a surge in demand and production. The first basketball shoes were designed by Spalding as early as 1907. The market for sneakers grew after World War I, when sports and athletics increasingly became a way to demonstrate moral fiber and patriotism. The U.S. market for sneakers grew steadily as young boys lined up to buy sneakers endorsed by football player Jim Thorpe and Converse All Stars endorsed by basketball player Chuck Taylor.
During the interwar period, athletic shoes began to be marketed for different sports, and differentiated designs were made available for men. Athletic shoes were used by competing athletes at the Olympics, helping to popularize athletic shoes among the general public. In 1936, a French brand, Spring Court, marketed the first canvas tennis shoe featuring signature eight ventilation channels on a vulcanized natural rubber sole.
Adolf "Adi" Dassler began producing his own sports shoes in his mother's wash kitchen in Herzogenaurach, Bavaria, after his return from World War I, and went on to establish one of the leading athletic shoe manufacturers, Adidas. He also successfully marketed his shoes to athletes at the 1936 Summer Olympics, which helped cement his good reputation. Business boomed and the Dasslers were selling 200,000 pairs of shoes each year before World War II.
Post-war
During the 1950s, leisure opportunities greatly expanded, and children and adolescents began to wear sneakers as school dress codes relaxed. Sneaker sales rose so high, they began to adversely affect the sales of conventional leather shoes, leading to a fierce advertising war for market share in the late '50s. In the 1970s, jogging for exercise became increasingly popular, and trainers designed specifically for comfort while jogging sold well. Companies also started to target some of their products at the casual fashion market. Soon, shoes were available for football, jogging, basketball, running, etc. Many sports had their relevant shoe, made possible by podiatrist development of athletic shoe technology.
During the 1990s, shoe companies perfected their fashion and marketing skills. Sports endorsements with famous athletes grew larger, and marketing budgets went through the roof. Sneakers became a fashion statement and were marketed as a definition of identity and personality rather than simply athletic aids.
From 1970 (five models) to 1998 (285 models) to 2012 (3,371), the number of sport shoe models in the U.S. has grown exponentially.
Use in sports
The term “athletic shoes” is typically used for shoes utilized for jogging or road running and indoor sports such as basketball, but tends to exclude shoes for sports played on grass such as association football and rugby football, which are generally known in North America as "cleats" and in British English as "boots" or "studs."
Attributes of an athletic shoe include a flexible sole, appropriate tread for the function and ability to absorb impact. As the industry and designs have expanded, the term "athletic shoes" is based more on the design of the bottom of the shoe than the aesthetics of the top of the shoe. Today's designs include sandals, Mary Janes — American term for a closed, low-cut shoe with one or more straps across the instep and even elevated styles suitable for running, dancing, and jumping.
The shoes themselves are made of flexible compounds, typically featuring a sole made of dense rubber. While the original design was basic, manufacturers have since tailored athletic shoes for their specific purposes. An example of this is the spiked shoe developed for track running. Some of these shoes are made up to unusually large sizes for athletes with large feet.
Running shoes
Running shoes come in a range of shapes suited to different running styles/abilities. Generally, they are divided by running style. The majority are for heel-toe joggers/runners which are further subdivided into “neutral,” “overpronation” and “underpronation.” These are constructed with a complex structure of "rubber" with plastic/metal stiffeners to restrict foot movement. More advanced runners tend to wear flatter and flexible shoes, which allow them to run more quickly with greater comfort.
According to the NPD Group, one in four pairs of running shoes that were sold in the United States in 2016 were bought from an online retailer.
According to Rachel Nall’s Feb. 11, 2021 article “9 of the top running shoes for people to try” in the Medical News Today newsletter, the footwear market features a vast range of running shoes available to buy. Below is a list of running shoes appropriate for a variety of different terrains.
Nike Zoom Rival D 10
This unisex track shoe offers five removable spikes and comes in 3 color combinations. Nike has incorporated various technologies into the shoe, including Phylon midsole cushioning and a special Pebax plate. The company states these features allow the shoe to be breathable, lightweight and comfortable.
As these track shoes feature removable spikes, it allows the user to customize the level of traction.
Brooks Mach 19 Spikeless
The Brooks Mach 19 Spikeless shoe for females is a spikeless track shoe. Available in two color patterns, the manufacturers designed the shoe to feature an ultralight upper and a rubberized spike plate.
Brooks add that the competitive racing shoe offers optimal traction suitable for both track and cross-country courses.
Saucony Peregrine 10
The Saucony Peregrine 10 is a running shoe suitable for off-road running, including on dirt and rocks. Saucony manufactured the shoe with a special PWRTRAC outsole, which it states allows users to grip nearly any terrain.
The shoes also feature a rock plate, a special insert that helps protect against injury from sharp rocks.
On Running Cloudflow
On Running Cloudflow is a lightweight shoe, weighing in at only 6.98 ounces. The company say it features Helion superfoam, which allows this shoe to be lightweight and comfortable.
The shoe may be a suitable option for asphalt running of any distance. It comes in five colors, while On also offer a 30-day return policy for a person who wishes to try the shoes at home.
inov-8 RocLite 275
The inov-8 RocLite 275 is a graphene-enhanced trail running shoe featuring a tough mesh upper portion to protect the foot from trail hazards.
The shoe also comes with a rubber toe cap, padded tongue and grippable rubber outsole to provide traction against a variety of trails.
It also features some of innov-8’s proprietary technologies, including the POWERFLOW midsole for shock absorption and the META-PLATE to protect the foot.
Adizero Adios 5
Adidas states it has created the Adizero Adios 5 for speed. The company notes that the design allows it to be lightweight yet supportive.
The shoes utilize a light and breathable upper and Adidas’ Lightstrike and Boost cushioning, which gives the shoe a springy, energy-returning feel.
Brooks Levitate 2
The Brooks Levitate 2 running shoe features the brand’s DNA AMP midsole technology. The company suggests this allows the foot to spring off the ground with each step for speedy, efficient energy return.
It also features Brooks’ Fit Knit design, which the company says moves and expands with the foot as the user runs.
Asics Dynablast
ASICS claims the Dynablast shoe is suitable for runners looking for a responsive underfoot experience during their runs.
It also states the running shoe is comfortable and features a lightweight and breathable upper to keep the feet cool and provide support. ASICS emphasizes the cushioning of its FLYTEFOAM material, which helps generate soft landings.
The shoe contains recycled materials and manufacturing processes that reduce carbon emissions and water usage.
Hoka ONE ONE Challenger ATR 6
The Challenger ATR 6 shoe from Hoka is a hybrid shoe suitable for trails and road running, for those who like to mix up their running.
The shoe has a thicker midsole yet is still lightweight enough for road running. It also features moderate cushioning with dual layers of mesh to keep the feet cool, whatever the activity.
Sneaker culture
Sneakers have been an important part of hip hop (primarily Pumas, Nike, and Adidas) and rock 'n roll (Converse, Vans) cultures since the 1970s. Hip hop artists sign million-dollar deals with major brands such as Nike, Adidas or Puma to promote their shoes. Sneaker collectors — called "sneakerheads" — regard sneakers as fashionable items. Sneaker companies encourage this trend by producing rare sneakers in limited numbers, often at very high retail prices. Artistically modified sneakers can sell for upwards of $1,000 at exclusive establishments like Saks Fifth Avenue. In 2005, a documentary, “Just for Kicks,” about the sneaker phenomenon and history was released.
Kommentare