Athletic shoe is a generic name for a shoe designed for sporting activities. They were originally sporting apparel, but are today worn much more widely as casual footwear. It can also go by the name sport shoe, running shoe, gym shoe, tennis shoes, sneakers (American English) or trainers (British English).
The term athletic shoe is used for running, basketball and tennis (amongst others) but tends to exclude shoes for sports such as football (soccer) and rugby, which are generally called "shoe boots".
The shoes themselves are made of flexible material, typically featuring a sole made of rubber. While the original design was basic, manufacturers have since tailored athletic shoes for the different purposes that they can be used for. An example is the spike developed for the shoe soles for running.
Athletic shoes have also been tailored for the casual market, and are popular especially with young people. The terms sneakers and trainers tend to be associated more with the casual use of athletic shoes. The term sneaker was first used in 1916 by the United States Rubber Company for the Kids footwear, and ladies cow boy boots because rubber soles made the shoes quiet. And Trainers is a shortening of the phrase training shoe.
These flat shoes are derivatives of shoes worn, and endorsed, by athletes as well as other celebrities. The market for casual athletic shoes is quite large leading to a lot of competition between companies, and their eagerness to sign up celebrities to endorse their products.
Popular trainers’ brands for men and women include Animal, DC, Emerica, Etnies, Globe Shoes, Zoo York, Nike, Adidas, PUMA, Reebok, Cheap Converse Shoes and Fila.
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