Best athletic shoes for plyometric training?

May 19, 2005 5:56 PM

I'm about to start a rigorous plyometric jump training program. So .. to lessen all the wear and tear on my knees and ankles.. can anyone refer me to the best pair of athletic shoes to buy ? The program lasts six months, so they need to last and provide maximum shock absorbtion..thanks!
posted by jason9009 to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (6 answers total)

Skyflex make plyometric training shoes - but obviously they can't really be used for anything else.
posted by dublinemma at 7:06 PM on May 19, 2005

Response by poster: yeah, i really just need some good shock absorbing cross - training shoes
posted by jason9009 at 7:27 PM on May 19, 2005

Go to a good independent sports shoe store. Tell them what you're doing and what you need. They should be able to help you find what you're looking for. (Start at a hiking or running store if all you can find is chain sport stores. They should be able to point you to an all-sport store, if they don't carry a shoe that will work.)

No one can really recommend shoes for someone else, because everyone's foot is different. I have friends who swear by their NewBalance shoes, while all I ever do is swear at them. I really like Avia and Reebok, but I know people who can't wear them.
posted by jlkr at 8:01 PM on May 19, 2005

Please be careful.

Plyometric training can cause serious injuries.

"Team orthopaedist for the Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Mavericks professional football team, J.P. Evans M.D., treats as many serious injuries caused by plyometrics as from any other training drill (Wikgren, 1988)."

...

"One of the key concepts of plyometric training is the use of high-speed eccentric contractions to increase the effect of the stretch-shortening cycle. Research conducted by Pezullo et al (1992) stated that eccentric contractions place considerably more stress on the patellar tendon than concentric contractions, and movements such as landing from a jump are highly likely to produce microtrauma to the patellar tendon."
posted by callmejay at 9:09 PM on May 19, 2005

I second jlkr: Find a store and talk to people there. I went to a good running store locally, they had me in a pair of shoes within minutes that really, honestly are the most comfortable supportive pair I've ever owned. The guy watched me walk around a bit and then told me what I needed to buy. I've got flat feet and a bad back, but one month of running in these shoes hasn't hurt a bit. The people at Foot Locker are not going to be helpful. Find the people who actually use the shoes they sell.
posted by caution live frogs at 9:28 AM on May 20, 2005

Best answer: Also talk to some coaches - maybe track coaches in particular. I had a good friend who was a track coach, and he was all kinds of informed about different shoes and types of shoes and what they are good for and not. He had a master's degree in kinesiology and coached not just running but all the jumping stuff too (high, long, triple, pole vault, etc.)

(He said NO Nikes for any serious athletics, and he put his whole family in New Balance.)
posted by attercoppe at 9:42 PM on May 20, 2005