Although fashion may play a part in your selection of athletic footwear, gym shoe construction defines the quality of the shoe and should be your primary consideration. Gym shoes may be specialized for specific sports, but high-quality footwear shares the same basic construction no matter what the function. The best gym shoes not only protect and support your feet but also help maintain the health of your ankles, knees and hips.
Upper
The upper portion of your gym shoe includes the area that surrounds your foot from the toe box to the heel and helps control movement in your fore- and mid-foot. Common construction materials for a gym shoe's upper include fabric, mesh and leather. The softer the material, the less support the upper provides to the front part of your foot. The amount of support you need from your upper depends on the flexibility of your foot: the more flexible your foot, the more rigid your gym shoe's upper should be in order to control your foot's movement and avoid excess strain. Additionally, if you have flat feet, you will benefit from gym shoes constructed with a stiff upper.
Heel Box
High-quality gym shoes feature a similar heel box, the area of the shoe that encases your heel, no matter the function of the shoes or the anatomy of your foot. Constructed of a leather insert reinforced with rubber or plastic, the heel box controls the movement of the back part of your foot. Support in this area helps ensure stability of your foot during athletic activities. Gym shoes with a high-quality heel box resist bending or squeezing at the back part of the shoe.
Sole
The sole, or bottom, of a gym shoe includes the arch. Arch support, no matter what your foot type, is important for proper foot mechanics and to help avoid injury. Cushioning is not necessarily indicative of good arch support; instead, select gym shoes whose sole width does not change greatly from the toe to the heel. This construction signals increased surface area to support your foot. If you have high arches, look for gym shoes with a flexible sole to allow for plenty of foot motion.
Other Considerations
When evaluating the construction of gym shoes, consider your specific sport. For example, the construction of the outer tread of gym shoes varies depending on the sport for which it's intended. If you participate in more than one sports-specific activity, purchase different gym shoes for each one, recommends podiatrist Dr. Stephen Pribut. Additionally, when shopping for gym shoes, thoroughly examine the shoes for consistency in stitching, evenness in shape and size, heel stability and other cosmetic defects that may indicate a problem in quality.
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