Glossary | Sport shoes

At Marmon Sports, we know that choosing the right pair of athletic shoes can be a real challenge. That's why we've created this glossary to help you better understand the terms and technologies associated with athletic footwear. From midsole choice to wear resistance to cleat functionality, we've included definitions for a variety of terms commonly used in the world of athletic footwear. Whether you're a runner, basketball player, or general athletic shoe enthusiast, we hope this glossary helps you make more informed decisions on your next athletic shoe purchase.

HAS

Vents: Openings in the upper of the shoe for better air circulation.

AG: AG stands for "Artificial Ground" in English, which refers to a soccer cleat sole designed for use on artificial soccer fields.

Air Jordan: A line of Nike basketball sports shoes created in collaboration with Michael Jordan.

Air Max 1 (AM1): An iconic Nike sneaker with a visible Air unit in the midsole and a simple silhouette.

Air Max 90 (AM90): An iconic Nike sports shoe with a visible Air unit in the midsole dating back to 1990.

Air Max 97 (AM97): An iconic Nike sneaker with a visible Air unit in the midsole and a unique wavy line design.

Cushioning: The ability of a shoe to absorb shock during running or sporting activity.

Asymmetric: A shoe with a different shape or color for the left and right foot.

B

Sneakers: A type of canvas or leather athletic shoe, often used for basketball.

Blade: A midsole technology using spring-like blades for dynamic cushioning.

Boost: An Adidas technology that uses foam capsules for additional cushioning.

Bootie: A shoe that completely wraps the foot for optimal support.

Lacing loop: A small loop at the end of the laces to make it easier to tighten the shoes.

VS

Heel Cage: A hard plastic reinforcement to hold the heel in place.

Padded Ankle: An extra layer of padding around the ankle for added comfort.

Cloudfoam: Adidas technology that provides soft, comfortable cushioning in the midsole.

Cleats: Spikes or studs under the sole for better grip on sports fields. This word also refers to all football shoes.

Cross-training: A type of athletic shoe designed for a variety of physical activities.

D

Drop: The difference in height between the heel and forefoot of the shoe.

E

Vamp: The upper part of the shoe that covers the top of the foot.

Endurance: A sports shoe designed for long distances and prolonged use.

Ergonomic: A shoe design that adapts to the natural movements of the foot for increased comfort.

EVA: A foam material often used in the midsole of athletic shoes for lightweight, comfortable cushioning.

Eye let: Corresponds to the eyelets for passing the laces.

F

FG: FG stands for "Firm Ground" in English, which refers to a soccer cleat sole designed for use on firm, dry natural grass pitches.

Flexibility: The flexibility of the sole and upper for better mobility of the foot.

Flywire: A technology from Nike that uses carbon fiber cables to reinforce the upper of the shoe and which integrates the lace loops.

G

Gel: Asics' "Gel" technology is a cushioning system integrated into the midsole of sports shoes, providing exceptional shock absorption and comfort.

Slide: A zipper on the side of the shoe for easy on and off.

Gore-Tex: A breathable, waterproof material often used in athletic shoes.

Grip: The grip of the sole for better traction on different surfaces.

H

Hyperfuse: A Nike technology that fuses multiple layers of materials for optimal support and breathability.

I

Innersleeve: An interior fabric lining that wraps the foot for increased comfort.

ISO: An athletic shoe standard for stability and cushioning.

J

Jacquard: A fabric that uses a weft pattern for visual texture.

K

Kevlar: An abrasion-resistant material often used in athletic shoes for durability.

L

Laces: Ropes that allow the shoe to be tightened around the foot.

Carbon blade: A carbon fiber plate under the sole for greater rigidity and responsiveness.

Tongue: The part of the shoe that covers the laces for optimal fit and comfort.

Lightness: The quality of a sports shoe that is compact and easy to wear.

Lifestyle: Sports shoes that can be worn for everyday use rather than for a specific sporting activity.

M

Mesh: A breathable fabric often used in athletic shoes for ventilation.

Support: The quality of a sports shoe that keeps the foot in place to prevent injuries.

Mesh: A breathable material often used in athletic shoes for ventilation.

MG: MG stands for "Multi-Ground" in English, which refers to a versatile soccer cleat sole designed for use on different types of surfaces.

Midsole: Corresponds to the midsole which is placed above the outsole.

Post: The part of the shoe that covers the ankle for additional support.

NOT

Neoprene: A soft, water-resistant material often used in athletic shoes for a snug fit.

Rib: A part of the sole that provides additional stability and traction.

Nylon: A lightweight, durable material often used in athletic shoes.

O

Ortholite: A foam insole that provides additional comfort and support.

Overlays: Leather or rubber reinforcements on the upper of the shoe for added durability.

Outsole: Corresponds to the outsole which is in direct contact with the ground.

P

Phylon: A lightweight foam used in the midsole for additional cushioning.

Platform: The upper part of the sole that supports the foot and provides a stable walking surface.

Pronation: The tendency of the foot to roll inward when running.

R

Rebound: The ability of the sole to return energy for faster, more efficient movement.

Reinforcements: Additional elements on the shoe for greater durability and support.

Water Resistance: The quality of an athletic shoe that is water resistant for use in wet or rainy weather.

Cover: The material used to cover the upper of the shoe.

Running: Sports shoes specially designed for running.

S

Midsole: The part of the shoe between the outsole and insole, which provides additional cushioning and support.

Outsole: The bottom part of the shoe that contacts the ground and provides grip and traction.

Insole: The part of the shoe that the foot rests on, which provides additional cushioning and support.

SG: SG stands for "Soft Ground" in English, which refers to a soccer cleat sole designed for use on wet or muddy natural grass pitches.

Silhouette: The general shape of the athletic shoe.

Slip-on: Sports shoes without laces that slip on easily.

Arch Support: The quality of an athletic shoe that supports the arch of the foot to prevent injury.

Stability: The quality of a sports shoe that keeps the foot in place to prevent injury.

Supination: The tendency of the foot to roll outward when running.

Overpronation: Excessive pronation of the foot when running.

Synthetic: An artificial material often used in athletic shoes for its lightweight and durability.

T

TF: TF stands for “Turf” in English, which refers to a football cleat sole designed for use on older generation synthetic turf pitches and other stabilized pitch surfaces.

Upper: The upper part of the shoe which wraps the foot for optimal support.

Woven: A material that uses a weaving technique to create visual texture.

Toe Box: This is the part that covers the toes, at the front of the shoe.

Trail: Sports shoes specially designed for running on rough terrain and outdoors.

Knit: A material that uses a knitting technique to create visual texture.

U

Ultraboost: A technology from adidas that uses foam capsules for additional cushioning.

W

Waterproof: The quality of a sports shoe that is completely waterproof.

X

XDR: Nike technology used for the outsole for better wear resistance.

Z

Zoom Air: A Nike technology that provides responsive cushioning and added spring in the midsole.

NUM.

180: A Nike technology that uses a visible air bubble in the midsole for additional cushioning.

4D: An Adidas technology that uses 3D printing to create a grid-shaped midsole.

720: A Nike technology that uses a visible air bubble in the midsole for additional cushioning.

We hope this glossary has been helpful to you in better understanding athletic footwear terms and technologies. At Marmon Sports, we are proud to offer a wide selection of high-quality athletic shoes to meet all your needs. Whether you're looking for lightweight running shoes, cutting-edge basketball shoes, or just athletic shoes for everyday use, we've got you covered. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or need help finding the perfect pair of sneakers for you.