The right shoe can help keep your feet healthy, make your life easy and prevent your feet and body from injury. So, how do you know which is the right shoe for you? Shoes should cushion and support your feet, feel comfortable and fit well. Shop for shoes when your feet are at their largest – at the end of the day or after exercise. Get your feet measured every time you buy shoes – it is common for one foot to be larger than the other, and your foot size and shape can change as you age. If you play a sport, choose a shoe designed for that sport and alwasys talk with your foot doctor about any problems with your feet.
What A Good Shoe Can Do For You
- Cushions the foot – A shoes does not reduce the force that goes through the body. However they give your body time share the force through the bones.
- Supports the foot – A good shoe should should help the alignment of your foot when it touches the ground.
- Feels comfortable – A good shoe should feel comfortable without needing to break in.
- Fits well – A well fitting shoe should have at least 1‒1.5cm at the end of the shoe. It should be wide enough and long enough to fit your feet. The shoe should feel snug but not tight.
How To Choose The Right Shoe
- Shop for shoes after exercise or at the end of the day. This will help make sure that shoes feel comfortable when your feet are at their largest.
- Try the shoes wearing the same type of sock that you will wear for the activity.
- Have your feet measured each time as your feet changes as you get older.
- Check that you can wiggle all your toes when wearing the shoes. Remember, you need room for your foot to move within the shoe as you walk or run.
- Walk or run a few steps in your shoes, to check they are comfortable.
- Make sure the shoes grip your heel. Your heel should not slip or flatten in the shoes when you move.
- Measure the width as well as length. If the ball of your foot feels tight, ask if the shoe comes in a wider size. Bigger is not better.
- Examine the soles. Are they sturdy and nonslip.Try to walk on both carpet and hard surfaces.
If you play a sport, wear shoes designed for that sport. There are specific shoes designed for tennis, golf, soccer, football, running, cycling and other sports. Each has a different design, material and weight to best protect feet against the stresses of the particular activity.
These key points will help you pick proper shoe for your feet but make sure to talk to your Cornerstone doctor as you might need more support and stability of a custom molded orthotics along with a proper shoe to keep you running pain-free.
Cornerstone Foot & Ankle is a full service foot and ankle specialty office with locations in Sewell, Cherry Hill, Marlton, Mt. Holly, Woodbury, and Glassboro; serving the South Jersey region. We offer a full suite of services including surgery, fracture care, fungal nail care, diabetic foot care, pediatric podiatry, custom braces and orthotics, wound care, limb salvage, and treatments for arch pain, heel pain, and sports injuries; just to name a few. If it hurts below your knee, we can help you! CALL NOW or request your appointment online TODAY!