Throwing is a sport that often goes rather unappreciated. Whether it’s in high schools, higher education, Olympic level, or even recreational, there isn’t much buzz about it in general. Still, it’s a great part of our athletics across the world, and we deserve to have special equipment and gear designed for us as well.
Shoes might not be the first thing that you think about whether you’re playing discus, shot put, or hammer throw, but they can make a surprising difference in performance. In order to beat records like these ones, https://olympics.com/en/news/olympic-records-throwing-javelin-discus-hammer-shot-put, it’s going to take a combo of having the right gear and excellent skill.
What Makes a Good Throwing Shoe?
The big question here is, of course, what qualities can a shoe have to make them good for throwing? There are a lot, as you can probably already imagine. Some of it will already sound pretty familiar to anyone who’s gotten sports gear for any other reason.
Durability is a must, really. Otherwise, you’ll end up having to continually purchase new pairs. If you’re already going for shoes that are fairly pricey, it’s more than fair to expect that they’ll be high quality. Having durability is a part of that – they should last you a long time even with the wear and tear of activity.
Beyond that, though, there are a few other things that you may want to keep in mind. General stretchability is another one, which can play a pretty big role in comfort during an event. If you want an example of what that might look like, you can check out the Revolution and see some of the various options in terms of wearability.
Hard to argue that it’s not going to be a big deal to have shoes that you’re able to wear without any chafing or discomfort, right? So, that’s why this can be such a big deal. Grip is something else to keep in mind – no one wants to be slipping and sliding around because they don’t have good treads under their feet.
What’s Different About Specialty Shoes?
What makes shoes designed specifically for shot put, discus, or hammer throwing different from the rest, though? Much of it comes down to how they fit. You see, these ones need to be a lot snugger than a traditional sneaker. They also probably won’t have a spike plate or treads, since that wouldn’t really serve the athlete.
Now, there are a few other things to keep in mind as well. Many events, like the ones mentioned on this page, involve a variety of different weights in terms of the objects that are thrown. So, that means that you may want slightly different fits or grip depending on which specific type of throwing that you’re doing.
Additionally, it’s a good idea to think about what weather you might be facing. The thing about throwing sports is that the events typically continue to run no matter what sort of weather is going on. Whether it’s rainy or muddy out, they’re generally not going to be cancelled, so you’ll have to be prepared for that sort of situation. Naturally, that means your shoes should be ready for that as well.
To sum it up, you’ll want to get a pair of shoes that have excellent durability, fit, and flexibility. Look for a pair that you think will let you keep your weight grounded on the balls of your feet, rather than getting off balanced somehow. That way, you’ll be at your best as you go into the event.
While it can be kind of difficult to figure out what pair of shoes to purchase for any sport, throwing seems to have it as an even worse challenge than others. That’s why it can be such a big deal to find the perfect ones for you. Hopefully, the point that were mentioned above will help you at least get an idea of what you’re looking for. If not, though, don’t worry – there are a ton of other factors that you can take into account.
Really, the most important thing is that you’re comfortable in them. At the end of the day, pain will impact performance more than a lot of other things.