Choosing the right athletic shoe for a sport can be confusing. Each sport has shoes designed for specific demands.
Athletic shoes protect the feet from the stresses of a given sport.
Compare a pair of basketball shoes to jogging shoes. The basketball shoe has a broad, rubber sole. It is made to grip a hardwood floor. A jogging shoe is very light and has a thick, cushioned sole. Its job is to protect the heel and sole of the foot while jogging straight forward.