An athletic shoe is a generic name for a shoe designed for sporting and physical activities, and is different in style and build than a dress shoe. Originally known as sporting apparel, today they are known as casual footwear. Athletic shoes, depending on the location and the actual type of footwear, can also go by the name trainers (British English), sandshoes (Australian English) running shoes or runners (Canadian English, Australian English, Hiberno-English), sneakers (North American English, Australian English), gym shoes, tennis shoes, tennies (North American English, South African English) sport shoes, sneaks, takkies (South African English) and joggers (Australian English).
Men's and women's athletic shoes and special function shoes often have less difference between the sexes than in dress shoes. In many cases these shoes can be worn by either sex. It tends to be more on function than style.
Type of Athletic Shoe
Sneakers/trainers
(also called gym shoes or tennis shoes)
General purpose athletic shoes; made out of rubber, cloth, and/or plastic to be lightweight, flexible, and have good traction. Special varieties are available for basketball or tennis.
Running shoes
very similar to above, with additional emphasis on cushioning.
Track shoes
lightweight; often with plastic or metal cleats
Cleat (shoe)
a type of shoe featuring molded or removable studs. Usually worn while playing sports such as rugby, football, American football, or baseball.
Golf shoes
with "spikes" for better grip in grass and wet ground. Originally the spikes or "cleats" were made of metal but replaceable "soft spikes" made of synthetic plastic-like materials with prongs distributed radially around the edge of each spike are much more common today (and are required on many golf courses since they cause less damage to the greens).
Bowling shoes
intermediate style between ordinary dress shoes and athletic shoes. They have harder rubber soles/heels so as not to damage bowling alley floors. They are often rented or loaned at bowling alleys.
Climbing shoes
a shoe designed for rock climbing. They typically have a close fit, little if any padding, and a smooth sticky rubber sole with an extended rubber rand.
Hiking shoes or boots
usually have a high somewhat stiff upper with many lace eyelets, to provide ankle support on uneven terrain, with extra large traction on the sole.
Walking shoes
have a more flexible sole than the running shoe, lighter in weight than the hiking boot, may have air holes, may not be water proof.
Skating shoes
typically called skates. They have various attachments for skating on the bottom of the shoe portion. Such as for Ice skates, Roller skates and Inline skates
Ski boot
a large, thick plastic boot specially designed for attachment to the ski.
Skateboarding shoes
This shoes have flat soles for a better grip on a skateboard. They are very wide and have extra layers of padding to protect the skateboarders feet. Many young people wear them for comfort.
Cycling shoes
equipped with a metal or plastic cleat to interface with clipless pedals, as well as a stiff sole to maximize power transfer and support the foot.
Wrestling shoes
light, flexible shoes that mimic bare feet while providing additional traction and protection.
