One of the most natural forms of exercise is walking and running. In fact, these types of exercises are one of the best forms of workouts for your body.
Whether your daily workout involves hiking, running, walking or a visit to the gym; a good pair of athletic shoes is essential. Sports shoes are designed to protect your feet and offer support.
However, wearing the wrong athletic shoes can play havoc with your feet and cause ankle strains and fractures, bunions, shin splints or blisters.
According to Livestrong, selecting the right shoes can help prevent common injuries, reduce impact and cushion your foot from hard landings. In addition, specialty athletic shoes can enhance your performance.
For instance, certain sports shoes may empower you to quickly change directions.
Many specialists agree that buying a cheaper priced shoe is not always beneficial. In fact, cheaper shoes are often poorly made an can result in an injury. Lower prices generally indicate a poorly made shoe that offers minimal protection and support.
On the other hand, a higher priced shoe is generally more durable and has better support.
Two of the leading brands in the athletic shoe industry are Asics and Nike. Both brands have high standards and offer a quality athlete shoes at a reasonable price. Deciding which brand is best depends on many variables:
- Every foot is constructed differently
- Both shoe brands have their pros and cons
- A brand that is perfect for one person doesn’t mean that it’s ideal for you, everyone is different
Moreover, deciding on which brand is best can be a matter of preference, everyone has their individual style. However, when deciding on the ideal athletic shoes make sure that they are comfortable and offer proper support for your feet.
Asics
The Asics brand is renowned for their running shoes with its advanced design and structure. The running shoes are the perfect combination of durability and cushioning.
Asics has constructed the perfect sport shoes for stability running, shock absorption and overpronation (when the foot rolls excessively inward toward the arch which can cause numerous types of injuries).
The shoes design is more traditional and offers greater cushioning and support structures, especially when compared to other brands on the market. In fact, most of their shoes are equipped with Gel technology (GT).
The majority of the sports shoes literally have gel in the midsole that delivers extreme comfort and support. In fact, the innovative GT models have become an icon of the customary running shoe.
Asics racing shoes have a simple design yet are lightweight, flat and supportive. In addition, most all their shoe lines offer stability for both long and short distances.
With the duel-density for support and stability, Gel cushioning, durability and midsole structure; the Asics brand is definitely a company that offers key features for supreme athletic shoes.
Pros
- Breathable
- Lightweight
- Great bounce back
- Extremely comfortable
- Upper is flexible and has a snug-fit
- Most models have removable inserts
- Gel cushioning for support and comfort
- Great support for neutral, overpronating runners
Cons
- May require a break-in period
- Heel may slip until they’re broken in
- Some models have a constricting toe box but only initially
Click to View Prices and Reviews On Amazon
Nike
When it comes to sports shoes, Nike is one of the most renowned brands in the industry. Their icon is named after the Greek Goddess of Victory and has become a very familiar image around the world.
Nike also makes other products such as t-shirts, jerseys, shorts, backpacks and even soccer balls. However, Nike is mostly well-known for their quality sports shoes.
Driven by style, Nike continually upgrades and adds to their brand. As with other brands, Nike sells the athletic lifestyle image. When it comes to technology, Nike has perfected the midsole using different types of foam, unlike the gel technology that Asics uses.
Their top sellers are Lunar and Air. For instance, the popular Lunar racing shoe has denser foam then the Air sports shoe. However, both types of shoes offer outstanding comfort and support.
Nike appears to always be coming up with a new technology. For example, Flywire cables on the side laces of the shoes design for improved fit.
Another expansion in Nike technology is Flyknit – a sock-like top using high-strength fibers to create lightweight uppers and a superb fit. In fact, one of the leading Nike sports shoes is the Lunarepic Flyknit.
It has a high collar that acts as an extension of the leg. The Lunarepic Flyknit also offers comfort and breathe-ability.
Compared to many other brands, Nike has an overall bigger selection of cleats, gym and basketball shoes. As well, they are endorsed by many professional athletes.
Overall, Nike is a solid running shoe for short and long distances.
Pros
- Breathable
- Solid lockdown
- Very comfortable
- Great for long and short running distances
- Excellent traction for a variety of surfaces
- A soft foam midsole offers lightweight, responsive cushioning
Cons
- Needs to be broken in
- Small pebbles may get stuck in the tread
- May not fit people who have a wide width
- Some models have minimal lateral support
Click to View Prices and Reviews On Amazon
Overall
Whether you select Asics or Nike, the best fit will depend on the structure of your feet. Proper support is directly correlated to the quality of a shoe as well as how your feet respond to the style of shoe.
Overall, Nike makes shoes for most all sports, whereas Asics specializes in cross-training, running and volleyball shoes. In addition, Nike spends more money on marketing than Asics.
However, bigger marketing does not mean that Nike is a better shoe than Asics. The best shoe depends on your type of feet and what is the most comfortable for you.
