Women's sports trainers

Choosing for the way you live

Start with how you'll wear them. If you're on your feet for hours or covering long distances on holiday, go for a sole that feels stable underfoot and a heel that stays put as you walk. If they're mainly for town and weekends, colour and shape matter more: white goes with jeans and relaxed outfits, while silver adds a bit of shine and is still easy to wear.

Materials and comfort

Textile uppers tend to be flexible, light and breathable, which is welcome in the warmer months on the Costa del Sol. Synthetic uppers are usually easy to wipe clean and hold their shape well. Whatever the material, look inside too: a lining without seams that rub and a comfortable insole make all the difference by the end of the day.

Fit and sizing

Try them on in the afternoon, when feet are slightly more swollen, and wear the socks you'll use with them. Signs of a good fit:

• Your heel feels secure and doesn't lift as you walk.
• There's a little space in front of your toes; if they touch the end, they're too short.
• Once laced, the top of your foot feels evenly held, with no pressure points.

If you feel pressure across the instep, loosen and re-lace evenly before thinking about another size. If the fit still isn't right, your first size exchange is free and you have 30 days to exchange or return.

Care

Brush off dry dirt with a soft brush before it sets in. For textile, use a damp cloth with a little mild soap and let them air-dry away from direct sun and radiators. Synthetic uppers just need a damp cloth. Take the insoles out now and then to air them, and if you wear them daily, alternate with another pair so they last longer and keep their shape.