Wearing the right shoes when you exercise can help you perform better and reduce your risk of injury on the field, track or court. So if you're ready to invest in a pair of shoes Nike Mercurial Vapor FG for your favorite physical activity, think beyond brand names and look for a shoe that fits your needs and your foot. According to "Consumer Reports" magazine, sports shoes can range from $28 to more than $100 in 2011, with good options available at both ends of the cost spectrum.

Step 1

Consider your sport. If you dabble in a few sports, like walking and tennis, you can probably get by with a pair of cross-trainers, but if you're serious about one sport, you'll need a pair of shoes designed for that sport.

Step 2

Try on both shoes Nike CTR360 Maestri in each pair over the socks you usually wear with your sneakers. Since most people have one foot that's slightly bigger than the other, you'll need to know how shoes fit both your feet.

Step 3

Wiggle your toes. If you can comfortably wiggle all your toes while wearing the shoes, the toe box is a good fit.

Step 4

Try to slide your heels around inside the shoes. If your heels slip and slide, the heel of the shoe is too wide for your foot, and you'll need to try a different pair.

Step 5

Focus on the ball of your foot. It should feel secure but not crowded when your shoe Adidas Predator Cleats fits correctly. If it has too much room or not enough, try a different pair.

Step 6

Squeeze your shoe at the toes. You should have about a 1/2 inch of space between the end of your longest toe and the tip of your shoe.

Step 7

Walk the length of the store. It's a myth that you need to break in new fitness shoes. Your shoes should be comfortable from the first step, and your foot should feel well-supported.