THE TYPE OF SHOE

When it comes to running, nothing is more important than finding the right running shoe to avoid injury and up your game. Our huge collection of cheap running shoes from the leading brands means you can find just what's right for you, whether you're on road or instead, hitting the trails.

We also have a large choice of running clothing and accessories, so whether you're after a pair of Nike running shoes, arunning jacket or some running spikes, you've come to the right place. And if you need some advice, feel free to pick our brains - at SportsShoes.com, we really do live running.

The soles of hiking shoes are made to tackle rocky terrain and have different levels of stiffness. Usually made of rubber, soles vary by the patterns and depth of the lugs, which are the indentations in the bottom of the sole that offer more secure footing on rugged surfaces. Very deep lugs allow for the most traction and more shallow or widely spaced lugs offer less grip. You may also find a raised heel sole, called a heel break. This is intended to reduce your chance of sliding when hiking on steep descents. Hiking shoe soles are typically the most sturdy and inflexible of athletic shoe soles, but offer maximum shock absorption.

The soles of basketball shoes are moderately flat and made of rubber. Most are wider and have a herringbone pattern etched in to improve stability and traction for quick pivots, starts and stops. Soles on indoor basketball shoes are often made of thinner rubber, in order to make them more lightweight for faster movement, while outdoor soles are thicker to be more durable. Basketball shoe soles typically offer maximum shock absorption and moderate flexibility compared to other types of athletic shoe soles.