Making sure you wear the right footwear is actually more important than you think. Choosing a shoe needs to be about so much more than glamour of glitz (although that can be pretty!).

 

By wearing the most appropriate shoes you can help keep your feet healthy, make your physical activity easier and help keep your body safe from injury.

 

You will be more comfortable being active if you choose a shoe that fits you well, suits your activity type, is appropriate for any problems with your feet, and helps protect your feet, legs and joints.

 

 

Fit Foot Podiatry’s Top Tips on Choosing the Right Shoe

 

 

Pay attention to stability

 

Look for a shoe that has a firm heel counter (back of the shoe). This will support your heel and rear foot leading to a more stable walking pattern. This is also crucial for anyone that has orthotics.

 

Be picky about how your shoe fastens

 

Choose a shoe that has some sort of fastening whether that be laces, buckles, velcro straps. This ensures the shoe is held onto your foot, minimizing any unnecessary over activation of the small muscles in your feet. The wearing of slip on shoes is linked to toe deformities such as claw toes

 

Heel makes a difference

 

Heel pitch of 12mm or more but less than 40mm. This is the gradient between the front of the shoe and the heel. A really flat shoe is linked to foot injuries including Achillestendonitis and plantar fasciitis and not recommended. Having a heel height of 40mm or more is not advisable either as it places increased pressure on the forefoot area leading to conditions such as Morton's neuroma and bursitis.

 

Of course, every person is unique and there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach when it comes to footwear. Our best suggestion of all is to seek the experience of a professional if you have any concerns.

If you are living with pain, we strongly suggest you come into see us at Fit Foot Podiatry where we will complete a thorough biomechanical assessment in order to help your overall comfort.

Click here to book in your session today!