12 Tips on Finding the Right Shoes for You

The wrong pair of shoes can cause or aggravate foot ailments. The right shoes can often prevent – but cannot correct – problems. So wearing the right shoes is vital to foot health. Here are 12 pointers to look for when shopping for shoes.

1. Leather is best because this lets the skin breathe and molds to your feet. But cheaper canvas is fine.
2. Soles should be strong and flexible with a good gripping surface.
3. Insoles should be cushioned to absorb the jolts of walking on hard surfaces.
4. Arch supports distribute weight over a wider area. Rigid shanks also give added support.
5. High heels are fun and look good, but they should not be worn too long at a stretch or for much walking. Besides cramping the toes, they change body posture, making backaches more likely.
6. Only you can tell if the shoes fit. If they are not comfortable, do not wear them! Do not plan on shoes stretching with wear. If you already own shoes that are too tight, ask your shoe repair shop if they can be stretched.
7. Because feet spread with age, have your feet measured every time you buy shoes. Both feet should be measured, as they are often different sizes. Always buy shoes for the bigger foot.
8. Go shoe shopping in the afternoon, when feet swell to their largest size.
9. Size depends on shoe make and style, too. Do not insist you always wear one size if the next feels better.
10. The toe box should be roomy enough so can wiggle all your toes.
11. Your forefoot should not be wider than your shoe.
12. The heel should fit snugly and the instep should not gape open.

Unfortunately, most shoes today are narrower in the front than the foot is. You can check this by standing on paper and tracing around your bare foot. Compare the outline of your foot with the sole of your shoe. If your shoe appears too narrow, you may be inviting foot problems. Choose only shoes that make you feel comfortable – you are the best judge of that.

Our marvelous feet evolved for flexibility and strength – not to be stuffed into shoes. When people roamed the earth barefoot thousands of years ago, foot problems were not the rule. Today, you need shoes to protect your feet from cold, injury, disease, and pounding on hard pavement. But too often, you choose shoes for style rather than for comfort and function. Remember: good shoes are a part of the good care your feet deserve.