… that look great and won’t damage your health
Everyone likes to look good and stylish footwear that complements an outfit is a key fashion accessory.
But, poor quality and badly fitting shoes can not only lead to foot problems like bunions, toe deformities, corns and calluses, they can also affect balance which can, in turn lead to falls and even serious joint fractures.
Footwear is the only item of clothing that can seriously damage your health, so it’s important to choose shoes that not only look good, but which are also well-constructed and properly fitted in order to protect our feet and allow natural movement.
As we often say, our feet are the foundations of our bodies. They have to support our full body weight during the process of walking that gives us mobility and allows us to be active.
Choosing the right footwear for our feet and our lifestyle is a serious consideration and, to this end, we’ve prepared some tips to help you make the right choice.
1 Try Before You Buy (don’t buy online)
Always visit a good quality shoe store where the staff are trained to measure the length and width of both feet using a Brannock Device. Only when this has been done can properly- sized footwear be provided.
Once you have found shoes you like, always try them out by walking in them on a hard surface. Remember, shoes shouldn’t need ‘breaking in’. If they don’t feel comfortable when you try them, they won’t feel comfortable in the future.
2 Choosing the Right Material
We always used to recommend quality soft leather uppers. Whilst that’s still a good choice it’s not always possible with modern casual and sports footwear. If you’re not buying leather, choose ‘breathable’ natural or synthetic materials with seam-free linings. Avoid plastic.
3 Tight Isn’t Right
It’s important to avoid pressure on the toes and the joints at the side of the feet. Tight-fitting footwear isn’t just painful to wear, it can cause serious joint deformities. Look for shoes with wide, comfortable toe-boxes at the front.
Strong and Stable
Whilst toes need room to move, the feet as a whole need to be stable and well-supported. Inside shoes, look for heel cups that will provide comfortable stability. On the outside, the heels should be no more than one and a half inches deep and broad enough to provide good support.
To avoid slipping, we would recommend soles that provide a good grip on the walking surface.
Strap Yourself In
Feet should be comfortably secure within footwear, so whenever possible, make sure that shoes can be fastened with laces, straps, zips or buckles. We appreciate that in some situations (e.g. post-operation and/or limited flexibility), slip-on shoes are the only option.
Custom Arch Supports
Custom arch supports provide important additional support and stability, but they are prone to wear and tear. Make sure you get them checked regularly and resurfaced when necessary. Foot Solutions offer a fast-turnaround refurbishment service for just £30.00
Speak to an Expert
All the staff at Foot Solutions, Richmond are highly trained specialists and can help you choose the best and most appropriate footwear for your needs.
Call the store on 020 8940 1814 or make an appointment here.