Shoes help protect and support the feet - they should never be something that cause you pain and you should not need to “break in” a pair of shoes – they should be immediately comfortable. When your trusty old shoes hit the point of no return it can be hard to let them go - especially when the thought of getting new shoes sends memories of pain shooting up your legs.
To make sure you get the right shoes it's good to remember some of the following points when choosing your new shoes.
The best time of the day to have shoes fitted is in the afternoon (when our feet tend to be a bit more swollen than the morning).
Many shoes are available in different width fittings so have the width and the length of your foot measured.
The heel counter (back of the shoe) should be firm to ensure heel stability (reducing your foot rolling in or out). If you can squash the heel counter down with your fingers (e.g. canvas only shoes) the shoe won’t support your foot.
Heel Height: no greater than 2cms is recommended. The wider the base of the heel, the more stability you have and less shock goes up through your heels.
Sole: The shoe should bend where the ball of the foot is and not in the middle of the shoe. Rubber and thicker soled shoes give more support and cushioning.
Toe box: shouldn’t press on your toes or squash your toes. Pointy shoes are not following the natural shape of your feet and can cause blisters and corns
Upper and lining: leather is best for breathability and reducing things like tinea, which is exacerbated by sweaty feet.
Fastenings: avoid slip on shoes and go with something you can tighten – e.g. laces, buckles to give you a better fit and more support.
Length: Your big toe isn’t always your longest toe. Ideally, you have the equivalent of a thumbs width between the end of your longest toe and the end of the shoe.
If you need general or activity specific footwear advice or added support to your shoes, see a podiatrist.
You can book an appointment online with one of our qualified and experienced podiatrists who specialise in diagnosing, treating and preventing foot or foot related problems. We treat a variety of people, from young children to the elderly.
To make the most of your appointment make sure you bring along a selection of your shoes plus a list of any medications you are taking and any foot/leg x-rays you have had done.
For more information on our podiatrists visit here.
To book your appointment online visit here.