Whether you're training for the Long Island Marathon Weekend, playing pickleball in Eisenhower Park, or throwing daggers in your Massapequa basketball league, proper footwear isn't just a matter of style or preference—it's essential protection for the complex network of 26 bones, 33 joints, and over 100 tendons, muscles, and ligaments you have in each foot.
At Massapequa Podiatry Associates’ Sports Center, we encourage everyone to understand why different athletics require specialized footwear. Building your game from a solid foundation helps you stay active, prevent painful conditions, and avoid time away from the activities you love. We outline some of our top sports footwear recommendations and other ways we’re happy to serve as your partners in health.
Why Generic Athletic Shoes Aren't Enough for Sport-Specific Movements
Using the same sneakers for every activity significantly increases injury risk. This is because every sport generates different impact forces—for example, running creates forces up to three times your body weight, while basketball jumps can reach seven times that amount. Movement patterns also vary greatly. Tennis players need to make quick lateral motions, while walkers primarily move forward.
Playing surfaces affect biomechanics differently, too. Your footfall on a treadmill is different from that on a concrete court or a rocky trail. The outsole design—or the bottom part—of your athletic shoes should provide the right traction, grip, and stability for your specific activity.
Sport-By-Sport Footwear Recommendations: Matching Shoes to Your Activity
Your unique foot structure and injury history are also critical aspects when selecting appropriate footwear. 
So, if you’re starting a new workout routine, trying a different activity for the first time, or taking your training to a higher level, the foot specialists at Massapequa Podiatry Associates will work with you to evaluate various factors and recommend the right shoes for your chosen sport. Here’s what to keep in mind.
Tennis and Pickleball
- Reinforced lateral support prevents ankle rolls during the frequent side-to-side movements required in racquet sports. Tennis and pickleball shoes feature special outriggers and stabilizing structures that extend the base of the shoe outward, creating a wider platform for improved stability during lateral cuts.
- Modified outsoles are designed specifically for court surfaces, with herringbone or modified tread patterns that provide the right balance of grip and give. These patterns allow controlled sliding during quick directional changes rather than causing the foot to stick and twist.
- Lower profile design keeps your foot closer to the ground, increasing stability and reducing the leverage that causes ankle sprains. Court shoes typically have a lower stack height than running shoes, enhancing your ground feel and reaction time.
- Durability features such as toe caps and reinforced uppers protect against toe dragging during serves and rapid forward movements. These features extend the life of your shoes while preventing painful toe injuries.
- Court-specific options exist for different playing surfaces. Hard court shoes offer more cushioning and durability, while clay court shoes feature modified outsoles that prevent clay from becoming trapped in the treads.
Running
- Cushioned heels absorb the repetitive impact forces that occur when your foot strikes the ground thousands of times during a run. Quality running shoes typically feature specialized midsole materials that compress to absorb shock and then quickly recover their shape before your next stride.
- Appropriate drop—the height difference between heel and toe—affects your running mechanics. Traditional running shoes have a 10–12mm drop, which generally work well for heel strikers, while minimalist shoes with 0–4mm drops are sometimes better suited for forefoot runners. Wearing the wrong drop for your running style can lead to Achilles tendon strain or plantar fasciitis.
- Stability features control excessive pronation (inward rolling of the foot), which is common during the running gait cycle. For runners with flat feet or overpronation, shoes with medial posting or guide rails help maintain proper alignment and prevent strain on the arch and ankle.
- Breathable uppers prevent excessive moisture that can cause blisters during long runs. Modern running shoes use mesh materials and ventilation systems that keep feet cooler and drier, reducing friction and skin irritation.
- Regular replacement is crucial, as running shoes typically last 300–500 miles before losing their protective cushioning. Continuing to run in worn-out shoes significantly increases your risk of overuse injuries like stress fractures and shin splints.
Basketball
- Overall design provides crucial support for a sport with frequent jumping and landing. Many athletes prefer an extended collar that wraps around the ankle joint, while others feel more comfortable in a mid- or low-top design. Ultimately, though, you want to focus on ankle strength and stability outside the shoe. So in addition to footwear recommendations, our sports podiatrists develop balancing exercises and proper warm-up and cool-down methods to prevent ankle injury.
- Enhanced cushioning absorbs the impact from repeated jumping. Basketball shoes typically feature specialized cushioning systems in both the heel and forefoot to protect against the high-impact forces generated during both takeoff and landing.
- Multidirectional traction patterns allow for quick starts, stops, and changes in direction without slipping. If you’re playing on an indoor court, our footwear recommendation might include outsoles that feature circular patterns that provide grip in all directions while allowing controlled pivoting.
- Lock-down fit systems secure the foot during dynamic movements, preventing internal slipping that can cause blisters and contribute to ankle instability. Features like reinforced lacing systems and interior straps help keep the foot properly positioned.
- Torsional stability prevents foot twisting during cutting movements. Midfoot shanks and supportive plates create rigidity in the middle of the shoe while still allowing the forefoot to flex naturally during jumping. Expect to change out your basketball shoes at least once a playing season.
Dance and Aerobics
- Proper fit is especially important in dance footwear, as too much room can cause tripping or reduce control, while too tight a fit can lead to nerve compression and painful foot and ankle conditions like neuromas or bunions.
- Ankle stabilization varies by dance style—ballet slippers offer minimal support to showcase foot lines, while jazz shoes provide more lateral stability for quick directional changes. Choosing the right level of support for your specific dance style is crucial.
- Forefoot flexibility allows for proper range of motion during relevés and articulation through the foot. Depending on your style of dance, you might need split soles or thinner construction at the ball of the foot to enable full extension.
- Pivot points on the outsole reduce friction during turns and spins, protecting the knees from torque-related injuries. These specialized circular pads allow smooth rotation while maintaining stability in other directions.
- Lightweight construction reduces fatigue during lengthy practice sessions or performances. Dance footwear prioritizes minimal weight while still providing necessary support for repetitive movements.
How Our Sports Podiatrists in Long Island Keep You Moving Safely
Dr. Corey Fox and Dr. Justin LoBello are also athletes who stay up-to-date on the latest athletic shoe technology. As our many active clients can attest, we take every measure to ensure your wellness, including:
- Comprehensive foot evaluation. Our thorough assessment identifies your unique foot structure, including arch height, pronation pattern, and pressure points. This helps determine the specific features you need in sports footwear recommendations for various sports.
- Gait analysis. We also examine the way you walk and run to uncover any biomechanical issues that might lead to injury. We specialize in using advanced technology to capture your movement and recommend footwear that corrects irregularities.
- Custom orthotics. For athletes with structural foot issues or past injuries, these prescribed devices provide a level of personalized support that over-the-counter insoles simply can’t. Our care team designs custom orthotics that work with sport-specific shoes to enhance performance and protection.
We also provide education on when to replace athletic shoes, how to properly break in new footwear, and what signs suggest your current shoes may be contributing to foot problems.
Think of Massapequa Podiatry Associates’ sports podiatrists as part of your training team, helping you enhance performance and, more importantly, prevent sports injuries before they sideline your lifestyle.