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Athletic Shoes

The term "athletic shoes" is a very common and general term for footwear specifically designed for athletic and physical activity. They are they complete opposite of dress shoes, as they are meant to cushion and support the foot during activity that requires constant movement on one's feet. They are made with a rubber sole and a leather or synthetic material upper. Some athletic shoes have laces, while others could have hook and loop closures designed primarily for children and elderly people.

Athletic shoes are meant to be very comfortable, providing cushioning and stabilizing materials and construction to support the wearer whether they are walking on the beach or playing basketball on an asphalt court. Some athletic shoes are made with a high top and others are ankle or three-quarter height. "Athletic shoes" is a very broad term but they can also be called:

• Tennis shoes
• Running shoes
• Gym shoes
• Sneakers

Athletic shoes are used for a variety of shoes and activities including but not limited to:

• Running
• Walking
• Tennis
• Physical education
• Trail running
• Basketball

A lot of athletic shoes are used for casual wear and the collection of athletic shoes (especially basketball) is very popular. For example, many of the Air Jordan basketball shoes manufactured by Nike are seen as a collectible, and are not strictly used for the sport as much as they are for fashion. Athletic shoes are made in a wide variety of colors, widths and styles, and are constantly updated with new features and technology.
Some athletic shoe manufacturers are:

• Nike
• Adidas
• Converse
• Pony
• Puma
• New Balance
• Asics
• Reebok
• Fila