Did you know that the type of Footwear you put on your feet can impact your foot health?
They say a new pair of shoes can change your life.. Just ask Cinderella.
Having the right footwear is essential for optimal foot health.
Multiple studies have shown that incorrectly fitting footwear often leads to foot pain and foot pathologies – toe deformities, corns, callous, neuroma just to name a few – which can mostly be avoided by getting your footwear right.
Considerations when purchasing a new pair of shoes
The goldilocks principle – not too small, not too big but just right.
Are they fitting correctly?
Do you have enough length so that your toes aren’t pressed up against the ends of the shoes? But not too much room so as to cause excessive movement and blisters?
Do you have enough width so that your toes aren’t being squished together?
Nice strong heel counter
Torsional stability – if you can wring it out like a wet sponge then this is too flexible and will not support your feet. We actually need a nice firm sole.
Laces are much more supportive than a slip on shoe – with slip on shoes our toes have to curl and over-work to stabilise – this causes increased pressure on the balls of your feet and the tops of your toes.
Footwear Hack: if the shoe has a removable innersole it usually also has the above features in it, but don’t forget to check just in case.
Having the correct fit can help reduce risk of injuries to all of the intricate structures in your feet.
Are your shoes specific to your type of activity?
Another important consideration when it comes to footwear is what activities you’re using them for. Are they for work, walking, running, tennis, hiking?
Shoes specific for your activity of choice are going to make a significant difference because they’re designed for that activity.
For example tennis shoes are designed to give you more support when you’re moving from side to side and all around the court. Normal running/walking shoes are only designed for “straight-lined” or forward movement and don’t accommodate for side-to-side motion. Wearing running shoes for Tennis means a higher risk of ankle sprains because it doesn’t have the right structure and technology for the amount of support required for the sport.
If you have any questions about getting the right shoes for your feet, come and see one of our team members here at The Foot Studio.