I know they've worked for a lot of people, but Asics were really bad for me, the Gel-Cushioning ones. I found that they were comfy in the ball of the foot, provided good cushioning overall, and they had great shock absorption. Compared to my Ryka Downbeat, night and day in the cushioning department. But I have a rather high instep, and although I don't have the most spectacular arches in the world, I underpronate (supinate). (If I lost a lot of weight, I have a sneaking suspicion my arches would actually be quite high.) The Asics felt a bit stiff in the arch and they didn't work well with my small heels. Despite feeling massive in the heel, I had to buy longer laces- they were so freaking short. This is one reason why I love Saucony. My heels are quite small compared to my forefoot and instep, and adding in a heel cup and/or pad is standard for me, except with Saucony. If Saucony made aerobics shoes, I'd be thrilled to the core! I've twisted my ankle a few times, too, and I just didn't feel enough support in jumps while wearing Asics. They left my heel and Achilles tendon really sore the next day. I also didn't feel comfortable with the lack of feeling for the floor that I had in the Asics. However, I love the barefoot trend and acknowledge my feet are probably not the norm.
What is working? Two different strategies. Sizing up in the Ryka Downbeats and adding a cushioned insole + tongue pad. The insole that comes with them as sold is meant to optimize step work, NOT for jumping, so substitution was essential. Downbeats are a bit snug in the toe area but wider/deeper in the instep, so they're not a shoe that will work for everyone. They are okay for me because of my higher instep. With modification, I get the lateral support, ankle support, and cushioning needed for jumps.
I recently bought a pair of K-Swiss tennis shoes. They weren't expensive. I bought them because they were a non-minimalist shoe (meaning they still have outside cushioning for your heel) without actually putting you into a wedge position where the heel is way up above your forefoot. While I still wish they came a bit higher up on the ankle, and they took a bit of breaking in, the cushioning is really nice! I may end up having to add in a heel cup and/or a tongue pad to improve the fit in the back just a tad, but overall they're nice. They also do double-duty for less intense step routines because they don't have all that crazy tread, and the toe is very smooth and straight-ahead at the front, not pointed upward like a running shoe. They come up higher on the ankle than the really low-profile shoes I'm seeing so often today. They look like classic, white aerobics shoes. Another big selling point is that they don't break the bank! They do run narrow, so if you have a wider foot, choosing the mens version (and choosing that equivalent size) is necessary:
http://www.amazon.com/K-Swiss-Women...r_1_3?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1424406021&sr=1-3
Also, it may seem really dumb or irrelevant, but I found my choice of socks was imperative to success with tougher routines. What I discovered is those slick, cute, low socks of today are indeed adorable and have so much more appeal visually. But for a serious exerciser with any kind of problem feet, that slippery fabric can be problematic. I am a klutz and don't have the greatest feet, granted. But a low shoe and slippery socks that are almost like wearing pantyhose in my shoes won't work to give me maximum grip and security on my feet. It makes me nervous if my shoes aren't just so for step or high-impact work. So I choose a predominately acrylic sock, either a quarter or crew sock. Because I have a longer foot, I swallowed my pride and bought the men's size (10-13) sock, not the standard 6-10 ladies sock. Silkies and Hanes both make acrylic socks; Hanes are cheaper and easier to locate, but not as high in quality as Silkies 3-in-1 Sock. Silkies makes a queen-size sock too, which is quite nice. All those Cool-Max socks and ones with space-age materials are indeed more breathable and fashionable, not to mention more up-to-date in looks. Yes, I know some people work out in their sneaks without socks, but I'm a child of the 80s and dear me...going without socks feels so gross to me! I look like a relic in my high-top Downbeat sneakers and crew socks, but I'm getting through my workout with ease, I don't feel like I might lose my balance or tear up my Achilles tendon, and that's what is vitally important.
Lacing correctly for your foot type and ankle support needs is also vital, but I'm sure anyone who dared read this has eyes glazing over already, so I'll shush.
