Every shoe tells a story. They speak of gender, religion, politics, profession, hobbies and athleticism. They’re one of the last things we put on before heading out the door, and the first thing we trip over getting out of bed. But in the world of sports, shoes are the most important element of athletic performance and functionality.

“Every sport has different needs for shoes,” Andy Lemons, coordinator of Campus Recreation said. “I think each athlete needs to have shoes that are comfortable, don’t cause blisters and match the shape of their individual shoes.”

Planter fasciitis occurs when the long flat ligament at the bottom of the foot stretches abnormally and develops a small tear that can cause a dull or sharp pain. This can be the result of wearing shoes that are worn out, do not have a cushioned sole or do not provide arch support.

“Our team wears Nfinity basketball shoes to prevent injury,” Wheeler said. “But even though high tops provide better ankle support, we have a higher chance of getting knee injuries because the shoes don’t allow the ankle to be flexible, so the knees end up bending wrong.”

However, Vibram FiveFingers—a minimalist shoe—aims toward obtaining the advantages of being barefoot: the way nature intended athletes to move.

“I’ve always been a barefoot kind of girl, and loved the idea of being barefoot yet having protection at the same time,” Rachael Olan, a senior, said. “I definitely feel like I stand straighter when I wear them (Vibrams FiveFingers). You feel your foot muscles working, versus tennis shoes where the flat bottom stops you from really moving your feet.”

Other recreational programs at various institutions across the region have seen increasing use of Vibram FiveFingers, according to Lemons.

“My guess is they are like any other shoe,” Lemons adds. “Each person should find the shoe they feel the most comfortable in so that exercise and sport isn’t something that causes pain to your feet. If someone is comfortable, they are less likely to quit exercising, so whatever shoe works best should be catered to each individual.”