OUGD505 - Study Task 1 - Trainers: Uses

• Athletic shoe is a generic name for the footwear primarily designed for sports or other forms of physical exercise but in recent years has come to be used for casual everyday activities.
• 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, and even elevated styles suitable for running, dancing, and jumping.
• While the original design was basic, manufacturers have since tailored athletic shoes for the different purposes that they can be used for. 

There are a variety of specialised shoes designed for specific uses:
Racing

Generally it is the same as a casual sneaker. It features a bottom with a different gripping style, and most racing shoes these days are hi-tops.

Track shoes
Track shoes are used for any kind of track sport, from running to hurdles. They feature a bottom with specially made spikes for maximum grip on the surface.

Skating

Skating shoes are generally known for being the starting point to casual sneakers. They are usually wide sneakers with a thick sole, and thick material used around the whole shoe.

Climbing
Climbing shoes are much more flexible than standard sneakers. They fit more easily and are made out of thinner but tough material, making it easier for a climber to grip onto rocks.

Approach/Hiking

Hiking sneakers are standard sneakers which are a bit more hard-wearing. They have a thicker sole with grip designed in a way to work on any terrain. The materials used are thicker and more hardwearing.

Wrestling

Wrestling sneakers are for indoor sports so don't need as much grip as usual sneakers. They are usually hi-tops, covering the athletes ankles for support. They are made of more flexible material.

Football/Rugby
Football and rugby sneakers used to be the same, but because of modern developments, football trainers have been improved to a much lighter material and features studs which are permanently attached. Rugby sneakers are the traditional sneakers. They are made of hardwearing material and have studs that are removable.

Astro

Astro-trainers are a development from the original football sneakers, developed purely for use on astro-turf. These sneakers feature rubber studs which are smaller than on football/rugby sneakers, but larger than on a typical sneaker.

Basketball
Basketball sneakers are the origin of casual sneakers. They are made out of a variety of materials and have rubber grip on the sole appropriate for the basketball courts.

Casual

Casual sneakers are the most worn sneakers of the modern day. They are a development of the basketball sneakers, but not as technically specific. These are worn every day and are generally made to stand any kind of terrain for a limited amount of time.