Sneaker Science

The methodology behind the trainer -

The science of the sneaker, Sneakology;

by Yusif Morris

Sneakers more commonly known in the UK as trainers or kicks has one of the biggest influences in the urban community. History of how the trainer gained its popularity on the masses have yet to be deciphered. My guess of the top of my head would be comfort matched with style and media help to push produce.

Sneakers go back a long way. In the late 18th century, people wore rubber soled shoes called plimsolls, but they were pretty crude—for one thing, there was no right foot or left foot. Around 1892, the U.S. Rubber Company came up with more comfortable rubber sneakers with canvas tops, called Keds. By 1917, these sneakers began to be mass produced. (They got the nickname sneakers because they were so quiet, a person wearing them could sneak up on someone.) Take a loot at the first trainers below.

During the first half of the 20th century, sports shoes were worn mostly to play sports. But in the 1950s, kids began wearing them as fashion statements.

Sneaker fact: The best selling basketball shoe of all time is the converse Chuck Taylor's

Sneakers are not just worn for sports anymore, but have become a must-have in people’s wardrobes. The latest, freshest and at times most expensive Trainers have all taken a place not only in the household but within social groups. The focus from investment to freshest kicks has taken a hold on urban ghettos leading people to a path of linguistically speaking ignorance and irrelevant competition. The trainer craze has it benefits as it allows people to show how they feel creatively through footwear but as the prices saw up people are still addicted to the craze and science having the latest and freshest trainers, keeping up with the trends.

Golden goose leather Stardan trainers Priced £499

Dior b30 sneakers priced at £800

Sneakers express individuality and personal identity more than any other fashion item. Nowadays, the sneaker can come in a variety of shapes, colours, finishes, and an unlimited amount of uses for the contemporary consumer. Worn by everybody from athletes, performing artists, and fashion models to kids on the playground, the sneaker has had a unique place in fashion history now as being a catalyst for accessible style to the masses.

Similar to sports, the music industry was pivotal in the history of sneakers for making them a product that appealed to the masses. Listeners of music could emulate their favourite artists and wear the same shoes as their idols. Rap, reggaeton, and hip hop were catalysts in making sneakers a staple of modern fashion and in people’s wardrobes.

Run DMC.

As a young man seeing the group Run DMC in the full adidas tracksuit with the matching trainers was always a highlight in my life.

I would per say it had an influence on me directly in buying adidas as the were the generation below me, so the influence would more have effected that generation or age bracket than myself. But growing up they stuck in my mind as very stand out and would always catch my eyes or attention if I were to see the group.

The science behind which has led to the trainer industry having such a powerful impact on the urban community would be the relationship the urban community have with who they would see as role models as above mentioned. The influence of those you admire and seek to be like is where most urban decisions come from. Also, let’s not forget that without the media pointing directions to where to look also we would’ve made these choices else where and found other idols if we were not shown celebrity sport men/women or musicians.

Quote from whowhatwear: Just when we thought the French sustainable trainer brand Veja couldn't get any more popular, Meghan Markle wore a pair of v-10s on her royal tour of Australia.

Sneakers have gone from two plain shoes for sports to having its own full accessories kits from foams to extreme packaging. Here is a list of just the sole types:

Flex cuts - deep cut lines which let the shoe flex or bend easily.

Dots and Waves - let the shoe flex or bend easily.

Herringbone Pattern - gives grip or traction on different kinds of surfaces.

Low Profile Treads - give some traction but are comfortable.

Deep Cut Treads - give best traction and slip resistance, used for many sports.

Pods - small square sections of the sole which let the sole react to uneven surfaces.

Liquid Window - gives good cushioning in fast direction changing and running.

Attractive Colours - fashion.

Attractive Tread Design and Graphics - fashion.

Popular Brand Name - fashion.

Circles - let sneaker turn easily and quickly.

Deep, Widely Spaced Lugs - traction on soil, loose pebbles and damp surfaces.

Multi Tread Patterns - good grip on different surfaces.

Treads Face Different Directions - good grip in several directions.

Sticky, Aerated Rubber - very good grip but wear down fast.

Widened Sole - better stability.

Notches in Edge of Sole - give stability.

Thick Sole - for rugged outdoor use.

The science behind each sole has it difference and preference, understanding and unique quality about it. As time moved forward the science became better as technology grew with it.

"In any sport, I think shoes are very, very important," said Joseph Hamill, a biochemist at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. "The shoes themselves are designed to try and alleviate specific factors in terms of minimizing injury risk."

It may be difficult to distinguish real innovation from marketing, but for the most part, shoe companies do pour considerable research into their shoes.

For most people, kicks are about comfort and style. Footwear is a fashion statement, and for men, Semmelhack argues, they have allowed expression in a way that preserves traditional masculinity. Trainers are also political. Dwyane Wade has worn a special Black Lives Matter edition of his signature shoes. More recently, Curry donned custom shoes in support of former President Barack Obama's My Brother's Keeper alliance.

Sure, shoes protect your feet. But from social status to social justice, shoes have always meant something more -- regardless of who's wearing them.