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Shoes & Trainers

An athletic shoe is a generic name for a shoe designed for sporting activities, and is different in style and build than a dress shoe. Originally known as sporting apparel, today they are known as casual footwear. more...

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Depending on what part of the world you live in, they can also go by the name trainers (British English), sandshoes (Australian English) 'running shoes' or 'runners' (Canadian English) or sport shoes, running shoes, gym shoes, tennis shoes, sneakers (US English). In some urban areas in the United States, the term for casual athletic shoes is kicks. In Hiberno-English the term is runners. In South African English the term used is takkies.

Use of athletic shoes

Use in sports

The term athletic shoes is used for running, basketball and tennis (amongst others) but tends to exclude shoes for sports such as football (soccer) and rugby, which are generally called "boots," or "cleats".

The shoes themselves are made of flexible material, typically featuring a sole made of rubber. While the original design was basic, manufacturers have since tailored athletic shoes for the different purposes that they can be used for. An example is the spike developed for the shoe soles for running.

Casual use

Athletic shoes have also been tailored for the casual market, and are popular especially with young people. The terms sneakers and trainers tend to be associated more with the casual use of athletic shoes.

Sneakers that are worn casually are made with a more simple "retro" design which are made to be more aesthetically pleasing than sneakers specifically designed for sports or exercise. Ironically enough, however, sneakers that were once designed for athletic purposes are now more commonly used for fashion. Examples include Converse's Chuck Taylor All Star which was designed for basketball and Adidas' Samba, a soccer boot created for indoor soccer.

Designs vary enormously depending on the origins of the manufacturer. German sneakers have a much more aggressive look, while Italian designs are somewhat more romantic, with finer lines and materials that are more expensive.

These casual shoes are derivatives of shoes worn, and endorsed, by athletes as well as other celebrities. The market for casual athletic shoes is quite large leading to a lot of competition between companies, and their eagerness to sign up celebrities to endorse their products. Popular brands include Nike, Adidas, PUMA, Reebok, Converse and Fila.

Sneakers have become an important part of hip hop culture since the 70s. These days, numerous rappers sign million dollar deals with major brands such as Nike, Adidas or Puma to promote their shoes. Some rappers, such as Fat Joe, are even known to collect sneakers as a hobby.