Florida 4-H Consumer Choices 2011-12:
Teacher Guide
Athletic Shoes
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Situation
Shopping for athletic shoes is designed to teach youth more about their fit, materials, and construction. Because of the emphasis on fitness, there are now a variety of shoes on the market, many of which are designed for a specific use. Also, they are a popular shoe to wear every day. Athletic shoes can be very expensive. Understanding how to select them based on their intended use, fit, and construction will assist youth in better managing their resources.
Objectives
· Youth will gain knowledge about selecting athletic shoes for an intended use.
· Youth will become aware of the materials and designs of athletic shoes.
· Youth will learn how to recognize quality materials and construction in athletic shoes.
Recommended Agenda
1. Read the Athletic Shoe Shopping Information and What to Look For sections first. Discuss and take any questions that students may have about the different types of shoes.
2. Pass out the Worksheet 1 ‘What is Important to You?’ and have the students fill them out. Then review some of the students’ answers and discuss them.
3. Then review the Athletic Shoe Information Guide, to view the information and features of the four different athletic shoes used within the examples. Discuss with the students the different features and price points of each shoe.
4. Have the students fill out Worksheet 2 – Rate the Athletic Shoe. Discuss each category with the students and why they chose their rating.
5. Finally do the 3 Consumer Choice Situations that are provided within the Teacher Guide.
Extra Activities
· Have examples of different types and qualities of athletic shoes. Discuss materials, styles, soles, and quality of construction.
· Have several pairs of athletic shoes:
o Discuss quality of materials
o Discuss quality of construction
o Identify sole type
o Have one person try on – ask them the difference in fit
o Discuss which is a good buy, which is a poor one
· Have them inspect the shoes they are wearing and evaluate them.
· Take a field trip to two or more stores (discount, department, specialty) that carry athletic shoes.
o Was the same brand and style in more than one store, was it the same price?
o Compare quality of materials and construction with price
o Compare types of soles
· Compare the quality of 3-5 pairs of athletic shoes that are of the same style.
· State a shopping situation. Let them select a pair of athletic shoes. Have them give reasons for their choice.
· Discuss the importance of wearing socks with athletic shoes.
· Discuss the care of athletic shoes.
· Compare the quality of “unknown” brands to “known” brands of athletic shoes.
· Ask students to discuss the disposition of old athletic shoes and the environmental benefits of recycling programs? Refer to webpage, http://www.nike.com/nikebiz/ nikebiz.jhtml?page=27&cat=reuseashoe , for information about one recycling program. Other companies may offer similar programs. This might be a good school project.
Background Information
A few years ago it was relatively easy to buy shoes for exercising and active sports, because there were not many choices. Today that is not the case – there are lots of choices. There are literally dozens of different styles. Many of which are designed for a special sport because the foot and ankle go through different motions. Therefore, you must be better prepared for that trip to the store to purchase shoes for the physical activity of your choice. Think about buying sporting equipment for your feet!
Fit
The most important consideration in the purchase of athletic shoes for exercising and active sport is fit. It is better to shop at the end of the day when your feet are slightly swollen. Remember:
· To buy by fit and feel – not by size
· To wear the socks that you will be wearing for the activity
· To tell the salesperson your activity habits
· To explain the features you are looking for in an athletic shoe
· To try on both shoes
· That feet expand about ½ a size during activity
· That men’s shoes usually have higher arches and narrower heels
· To walk, run, jump (on hard surfaces) in shoes to check fir and comfort
· To never buy shoes that you have to “break in” or stretch
Materials
There are several materials used for the uppers. Nylon is lightweight, breathes well, and is washable. Canvas breathes well, is lightweight, is more flexible, is washable, and is less expensive. Leather conforms to the shape of the foot, gives good support, and is more expensive.
Types of Shoes:
· Running shoes are made for forward movement. The sole (must by grabby) is made for traction and durability, has front-end curves to protect toes, solid ridges in soles, well-cushioned heel, elevated heel, arch support, and padded inside. Racing/running shoes are used for competition. They may be flatter and lighter than running/training shoes.
· Tennis, racquetball, or badminton shoes are built for quick stops in all directions. The shoes are made so that you can pivot, move laterally, start and stop. They have smooth or slightly patterned soles, good traction, padded ankleband to cushion and protect ankle, padded innersole and tongue, and a rubber toecap. There are two kinds of soles for tennis shoes – non-skid for clay courts and smooth for carpet surface. Either of these may be worn on cement surfaces.
· Basketball shoes are made so you can pivot, move laterally, and can twist and turn. They may be low or have ankle high uppers (collar), have a heavily patterned thicker and stronger soles, and arch support.
· Aerobics shoes have extra padding to absorb shock and they need to be flexible.
· Walking shoes have more flexibility in soles and shoes to facilitate heel to toe roll of a normal walking foot.
· Biking shoes have self-gripping closure, cleats, and a notched heel tab.
· Water sports shoes have a slip-resistant rubber sole.
Different features and Styles that relate to comfort and fit. Some of these are:
· Pumps that cushion the heel and have a built-in pump for a snug custom fit and to help the shoes conform to the shape of the wearer’s foot
· Energy return/air that have a midsole with an air cushion
· Padded collars that protect the Achilles tendon
· Beveled rocker heel and toe that align the foot
· Shock-absorbing technologies that have capsules or a bladder containing gas, silicone, honeycombed plastic, and foam encapsulated in polyurethane.
· Cross trainers that work for more than one sport
Types of Soles
There are three types of soles – waffle, textured, and crepe. Waffle soles are soft, give better cushioning and are good for use on dirt and hills. Textured (other designs) soles absorb contact stress and may pick up small stones. Crepe soles have less traction and are most durable. Most soles can be ground off and resoled by a professional.
Construction
Before purchasing a pair of shoes, be sure to test for:
· Cushioning/shock absorption, resiliency, and comfort
· Flexibility by walking and looking in the mirror to see how it bends where your foot bends
· Stability by rising up on the balls of your feet – your toes should spread easily without hitting the sides of the shoe
Socks
It is very important that you wear socks to protect your feet. Without socks, you may have abrasions, friction injuries, general foot discomfort, and odor problems. Select socks of cotton, wool, or manufactured fibers. Wool socks are best when it is cold and damp. Be sure to keep your socks clean.
Remember
The cost of shoes for exercising and active sports will depend on the
· Materials used
· Special design features
· Amount and kind of cushioning and support
· Workmanship
· Brand name
What to Look For
When shopping for any product it is important to consider what you should be looking for in your purchase. Some things are obvious, like budget and functionality, but others are not so obvious. Below is a list tips for evaluating the construction, styling, and fit of a shoe you may be considering.
Carefully check the construction and styling:
· Sole to upper should be firmly attached
· Bend the shoe to see if it flexes easily at the ball of the foot, in order to be a good shock absorber
· Striping will help resist side-to-side motion of the foot
· Padding at the side (ankleband) and tongue gives extra comfort
· Inner sole should be soft and resilient with adequate arch cushions
· Heel Counter should be very sturdy, resilient, reinforced with extra stiffening and stitching for shape retention and heel support
· Lacing should not buckle and should conform to the foot
· Toe Guard will add to wear life of shoe
· Stitching should be neat and even, double stitching will lengthen wear life
· Ventilation holes will help keep your feet cool
· Heel should be slightly raised and cushioned to reduce shock
· Mid sole should be at least ½ inch thick to absorb shock
· Outer sole should be flexible.
· Seams should be smooth to the touch
Carefully Check the Fit of a Shoe with the following fitting points:
· Toe Box – about ½ inch between the end of your toes and the end of the shoe when you are standing, except for soccer shoes, which should barely touch your longest toe and there should be room for you to move your toes independently
· Uppers – should hold the foot securely in place
· Heels – should not slip out of the shoe
· Instep – wide enough for your foot
· Flexibility – bends with foot, give sense of support
· Arch – has good support
Know what you are looking for in an athletic shoe and choose a good pair of shoes in the quality you need for your planned activity.
Athletic Shoe Information Guide
Use the following chart to help you learn more about each athletic shoe and its features. As discussed in the ‘Get Smart Before You Buy’ section, you learned about the different features and how they can affect your choice of athletic shoe. When reviewing this table take into consideration the features as well as the prices of each athletic shoe.
Category / Athletic ShoesNike / Reebok / Adidas / Puma
Name / Air Jordan 2011 / RunTone Action / Samba / Suede Archive Eco
Price / 160.00 / 99.99 / 60.00 / 60.00
Style / Basketball / Running and Cross Training / Indoor Soccer / Style Sneakers
Use / Indoor or Outdoor Basketball and Fashion / Running, Cross Country, Weight Lifting, Cross Training, and Walking / Indoor Soccer, Running, and Liesure / Fashion Statement
Sizes / 7 – 18 / 6.5 – 13 / 4 – 13 / 7 – 15
Color Choices / White, Gray, Red, Black, Blue, Light Blue, Navy, Yellow, Green, Orange, Purple, and Neon Green / Blue, Red, or Black / Black, White, and Green / Green, White, Black, Red, Gray, Yellow, and Dark Red
Fabric / Synthetic/Mesh / Synthetic/Mesh / Leather / Suede
Sole Material / Rubber / Rubber / Rubber / Rubber
Customizable / Yes, Color Matching and Nike iD / No / No / No
Worksheet 1
What Is Important to YOU?
Below are listed 20 different categories that may be important to you when considering which athletic shoe is best fitted for you. Circle the number that corresponds to how important each element of an athletic shoe is to you by rating it from 1 to 3:
· 1 means the element is very important to you
· 2 means the element is of medium importance to you
· 3 means the element is not very important to you
Category / RatingA. Budget / 1 2 3
B. Brand / 1 2 3
C. Name / 1 2 3
D. Style / 1 2 3
E. Use / 1 2 3
F. Size / 1 2 3
G. Color / 1 2 3
H. Fabric / 1 2 3
I. Sole Material / 1 2 3
J. Customizable / 1 2 3
K. Durability / 1 2 3
Worksheet 2
Rate the Athletic Shoe
Use this worksheet to help you decide what is important to you about each athletic shoe. Review the ‘Athletic Shoe Information Guide’ before completing this worksheet. Use this worksheet and the ‘Athletic Shoe Information Guide’ when completing the problems your instructor provides. Rate each category from 1 to 3:
· 1 means the element is very important to you
· 2 means the element is of medium importance to you
· 3 means the element is not very important to you
Athletic ShoesNike – Air Jordan 2011 / Reebok – RunTone Action / Adidas – Samba / Puma – Suede Archive Eco
Price / 1 2 3 / 1 2 3 / 1 2 3 / 1 2 3
Brand / 1 2 3 / 1 2 3 / 1 2 3 / 1 2 3
Name / 1 2 3 / 1 2 3 / 1 2 3 / 1 2 3
Style / 1 2 3 / 1 2 3 / 1 2 3 / 1 2 3
Use / 1 2 3 / 1 2 3 / 1 2 3 / 1 2 3
Sizes / 1 2 3 / 1 2 3 / 1 2 3 / 1 2 3
Color Choices / 1 2 3 / 1 2 3 / 1 2 3 / 1 2 3
Fabric / 1 2 3 / 1 2 3 / 1 2 3 / 1 2 3
Sole Material / 1 2 3 / 1 2 3 / 1 2 3 / 1 2 3
Customizable / 1 2 3 / 1 2 3 / 1 2 3 / 1 2 3
Overall Rating / 1 2 3 / 1 2 3 / 1 2 3 / 1 2 3
Consumer Choice Situation 1