Selecting and purchasing the perfect athletic shoe is a challenge, especially for serious athletes who need high performance. It’s always an option to head to a specialty store for experienced help, but having in mind a few simple essentials will help in finding the ideal shoe.

Begin by figuring out the ideal shoe type for your sport. There are some major differences between the design of running shoes, walking shoes, cross-trainers, and basketball shoes, though they can appear to be fairly similar in appearance. Determine what you’re buying for, and stay in the section devoted to that type of shoe. If you participate in several types of sports, consider buying more than one pair for ideal performance.