Sports shoes at Recon Company – running shoes and training shoes for work and leisure

Sports shoes are part of the basic kit – whether for duty training, the fitness programme at the barracks or a run after work. With over 30 years’ experience as a supplier to the Bundeswehr and government agencies, we know which running and training shoes stand the test of time in the day-to-day lives of emergency services personnel. In our range of footwear , you’ll find sports shoes from Under Armour, Lowa, 5.11 Tactical, Magnum and UYN – from lightweight road running shoes to trail running shoes suitable for off-road use.

Running shoes for road and off-road

The majority of our sports shoes are running shoes – and for good reason. Running is the most common discipline in police fitness training, from basic fitness tests to voluntary runs after work. For tarmac and paved paths, we recommend the Under Armour Charged and HOVR ranges. The Charged models, such as the Pursuit, Rogue and Assert, offer solid cushioning at a fair price and are suitable for runners who train regularly without necessarily having competitive ambitions. The HOVR range (Sonic, Infinite, Machina, Turbulence) features a reactive midsole that returns impact energy. This is particularly noticeable over longer distances.

If you’re heading off the beaten track, you’ll need trail running shoes. The Lowa Amplux 2 is the top choice in the range – and the GTX version with a GORE-TEX membrane is ideal even in wet conditions. Its grippy outsole provides traction on gravel, forest floor and wet grass. The Under Armour Bandit TR series and the Magnum Storm Trail Lite cover the trail segment in the mid-price range: light enough for a brisk pace, with sufficient tread for unpaved country lanes.

Training shoes and tactical sports shoes

Training shoes differ fundamentally from running shoes. Whilst a running shoe is optimised for forward movement and cushioning, a training shoe requires lateral stability – in other words, lateral support during lunges, jumping movements or weight training. The Under Armour Charged Commit TR (currently in its 5th generation) is built precisely for this purpose: a flat, stable sole, firm support in the midfoot, yet still flexible enough for short running sessions in between.

The 5.11 Tactical A/T Trainer takes it a step further. It combines the characteristics of a training shoe with features that matter in a tactical environment: low-profile, available in muted colours and compatible with the rest of the 5.11 clothing system. The Under Armour Micro G Strikefast is similarly positioned – a sports shoe that can be easily paired with operational trousers and tactical clothing without looking like a classic operational boot.

What matters when making your choice

The most common mistake: using a pure running shoe for everything. If you do strength training in them, you risk twisting your ankle because the cushioning makes the foot unstable under lateral stress. Conversely, a flat training shoe isn’t suitable for longer runs – the lack of cushioning puts strain on your knees and joints.

An overview of the key selection criteria: for pure road running, you need running shoes with sufficient cushioning in the midsole and a smooth outsole with flex grooves. For mixed terrain, trail running shoes with a deep tread pattern and optional waterproofing are the right choice. For indoor sports, strength training and functional fitness training, opt for trainers with a flat sole and stable lateral support. If you’re actually caught between two stools – say, combining CrossFit elements with sprints in the same session – the Tactical Trainers from 5.11 or the Micro G Strikefast offer the best compromise. Their sole stiffness is sufficient for short sprints, whilst still providing stability for squats and lunges.

Our trainers are available in sizes 36 to 51/52 and for both men and women. Many models come in muted colours such as black, olive, coyote or grey – to match your uniform.

Law enforcement agencies and their personnel receive a 10 per cent discount on the entire range at Recon Company. We dispatch worldwide via military post and are happy to advise you personally – by telephone, email or in person at our shop in Salzgitter. As an ISO 9001-certified specialist retailer, we guarantee reliable, tested processes from procurement through to delivery.