• Chuck Taylors, commonly worn by basketball players.sportschuhe image by Angelika Bentin from Fotolia.com
  
  From skateboarding to soccer, athletic shoes are integral to the health of your body and your performance in a sport. Shoes that do not fit properly can cause life-long injuries, particularly if you participate in a high-impact sport. The needs for each sport are different, which is why you should not use shoes designed for one sport when playing a different sport. The ankle support and cushion requirements for someone who plays tennis are different from those for someone who plays soccer. There are many different kinds of sports shoes. If you play a sport, you will need to be professionally fitted for your shoes.
  
  

Soccer

• Soccer players need a particular type of sports shoe for their sport as they spend a lot of time running and kicking a hard ball. There are differences in soccer shoes. The best shoe depends on whether you play indoor or outdoor soccer. Also, there is a choice between leather soccer shoes or synthetic leather shoes. True leather shoes are worn by professionals and are much more expensive than synthetic leather shoes. Indoor soccer shoes have a flat-soled bottom that is suitable for indoor play. They do not have studs on the bottom, but they may have specific patterns to help grip the floor. Outdoor soccer shoes usually have molded cleats on the bottom to better grip the ground when running and playing soccer. The cleats cannot be removed; they are permanently attached to the shoes.
  
  

Basketball

• Another kind of sports shoe is basketball shoes. They are generally made of leather or canvas, with cushioned soles to withstand jumping. The high-top style of basketball shoe is still popular, especially among professional basketball players. Canvas shoes are actually more popular among the majority of non-professional basketball players. They outsell the leather variety of basketball shoes.
  
  

Tennis

• Tennis shoes are made from a variety of different materials including canvas, vinyl and leather. The best shoe for you depends on your own personal needs and preferences. Vinyl tennis shoes tend to be the most popular. Leather tennis shoes offer more support than do vinyl tennis shoes. However, vinyl tennis shoes offer more air flow and ventilation. Tennis shoes have slim lines and soles to help the player achieve the quick turns and sudden twists that are part of the game of tennis.