Finding the right footwear can be very difficult. Even though you have likely been wearing shoes since you were a small child. Many people just plow on through shoes not caring too much whether they are right for their feet.
The right footwear can keep your feet healthy, keep your body safe from injury and make your physical activity easier. It is so much easier to stay active when you have the right footwear that is appropriate to your feet, whether they be wide, slim, or sensitive.
What should shoes do for you?
The right shoe should provide you with several services. It should cushion the feet nicely. The midsole is the main part of the shoe that is there to provide cushioning. They increase the amount of time that force takes to reach your body and allow it to adapt. However, this only works when your shoe supports your foot’s particular alignment when it touches the ground.
Additionally, you should have a shoe that feels comfortable even on the first wear. It should fit well and not hold your feet too tightly. You should have at least 1-1.5cm at the end of the shoe and it should be wide enough to fit your feet. The key here is for it to feel snug and not tight.
Considerations
Height Soles- Height soles is a shoe insert that can increase your height. You place it in the shoe instead of the original sole for a discreet height increase. The toe area of your shoes will remain flat, but the heel is a thick raised area. You can gain anywhere between 5-10cm to your height.
Activities- what will you be using these shoes for? If they are being used for physical activities such as running, then this will impact the type of shoe you are shopping for. Shoes for running are usually more cushioned and wider so that your feet are more protected. Make sure you know what you are shopping for.
Legs, feet, and joints- Your choice of footwear affect more than just your feet. If they are too tight, loose, and not supportive enough then you may be placing excessive stress on your feet, legs, ankles, and joints. This can lead to pain, bunions, shin splints, or postural issues. You need to make sure that you are wearing the right shoes for yourself.
Shoe Supports
If you have ankle or feet problems, then you may need to make alterations to your shoes. This is okay to do. Shoes bought from the store aren’t guaranteed to suit everybody so altering them can help you. Fortunately, there are various shoe supports out there to consider.
Heel cup- A heel cup can help alleviate pain beneath your heel. They are usually made of plastic, foam, or rubber and are made to provide extra support around the heel. This will help relieve pressure on any tenderness near or around your heel.
Arch supports- Arch supports the treatment of pain in the foot and helps promote function in the lower legs. They are again made of foam or rubber and are worn inside your shoes. They are specially designed inserts that relieve pain in a certain area whilst also supporting the surrounding area. This can help alter foot alignment and function.
Metatarsal pad
A metatarsal pad is used to relieve pressure and pain from beneath the ball of the toes. A range of materials can be used for them, but they are usually made of foam so that the pad can affix to the insole near the most tender area. It can help to distribute the pressure that would be placed on the ball of the foot so that one area doesn’t suffer alone.
One thing you should do is to talk to a healthcare professional about any problems with your feet. They will be able to diagnose what area is the problem and what the solution would be. This will help you decide on which footwear you need and can treat your symptoms before they get too bad. You can seek help from specialty shoe stores, podiatrists, and physiotherapists all of whom will have the knowledge you need.
Finding the right footwear
Looking for shoes can be draining especially if when you purchase your new footwear, they make your feet uncomfortable and leave you in pain. You should take some time to research where your problems are coming from and to find which shoe suits your needs. This may mean getting rid of your one shoe for everything and getting multiple pairs for various occasions.
