Investing in the right pair of athletic sneakers helps reduce the strain on your feet and legs. No matter what sport or exercise you choose, proper footwear will keep your ankles and knees in better shape. Less wear on your joints is usually accompanied by fewer blisters as well. With the best shoes, you will cut down the recovery period between training sessions or pick-up games with your friends. All of these benefits also apply to casual sneakers and shoes. Eastbay is one of the most trusted retailers for athletic and casual shoes because they offer a range of benefits to their customers.

1. History
Eastbay was first founded as a number of shoe clinics developed in 1980. Founders Art Juedes and Rick Gering were high school football coaches who wanted to help both adult and teen athletes make better footwear choices. They soon expanded into a mail-order business, and now operate one of the largest footwear retail websites online. Over 30 years of experience allows this company to pick the best shoes available, therefore helping their customers protect their feet. Other companies lack the in-depth knowledge on foot health and protection that this retailers has at their disposal.

2. Specialized Products
While Eastbay does carry an amazing range of different types of casual and athletic shoes, each brand and model they sell is carefully chosen. The durability, support and comfort of all footwear is tested before a product is added to the website. Even specialty products like women's baseball cleats or shoes perfect for rock climbing are sold by this company. No matter what sport or exercise you enjoy the most, Eastbay sells a pair of shoes perfect for the activity. You don't have to settle for a pair of generic running shoes when you really need basketball sneakers.

3. Professional Quality
Many other shoe retailers offer a few popular products, but mostly cater to hobbyists and occasional sports participants. Professionals turn to Eastbay because they are one of the few large companies to sell footwear for the pros. Other sports shops for professionals only stock a handful of brands and may not offer larger sizes. Both the hobby runner and the professional sprinter can quickly find the shoes that meet their needs and their budget. Online categories also make it easy to locate both pro and consumer quality equipment without a lot of searching.

4. Information
Eastbay provides far more than just shoes. The company has built a large library of tips and tutorials for athletes in all categories. The videos and articles help players improve their times or find an edge over the competition. These tips can be found in the Athlete Resource Center on the retailer's website. Information is included that explains the best footwear for each sport and which brands provide the best features. If you are a student athlete, you can access your team's information in the Close the Gap program. Entering your statistics will help you determine where you stand in relation to athletes across the country.

5. Loyalty Club
Like other websites, Eastbay offers a loyalty club that allows repeat shoppers to earn rewards towards future purchases. The Eastbay Loyalty Club has a number of different levels that come with increasing benefits. The Silver Level gives you access to free standard shipping, while the Gold comes with free three day shipping. Platnium Level rewards you with the most coupons, discounts and promotions, as well as free two day shipping and unlimited free return shipping for anything you aren't happy with. All three levels have access to an exclusive customer service line.

6. Shopping Options
Most consumers will probably choose to shop using the company's convenient website, but it is not the only option available to you. Eastbay still produces bi-monthly catalogs with new sales and promotions available to mail-order shoppers only. There is also a customizable mobile phone application that helps you pick the best shoes and order them on the go. The app is available for free through the major app stores for each system, and you can sign up to receive the paper catalog in the mail through the website. The catalog is free and can be canceled at any time.

7. Flexible Shipping and Free Shipping
Sometimes you find out that you need a new pair of cleats or running shoes just a few days before a big event. Eastbay is ready to help with fast, affordable and safe shipping options. Overnight and two day shipping options will have your shoes in your hands in time for the weekend. The slowest options still take less than a week to deliver. This retailer also ships across the globe, giving athletes in New Zealand, Hong Kong and Great Britain to access their unrivaled selection. UPS handles the packages for the company and ensures a speedy delivery.

8. Sizing
Finding the perfect fit is the hardest part of shopping for footwear online. Only the Internet can give you access to thousands of brands on one website, but ensuring that the shoes will be comfortable is often a challenge. Eastbay has the Fit Promise Guarantee to help their customers exchange any shoes that are a little too tight or too loose. They also have in-depth sizing information on every shoe they offer. Simply measure the indicated parts of your foot and you can pick the perfect size without trying them on.