Foot health is something we don’t take seriously enough when we are younger, and we end up paying for it later on down the line. Unless you have a chronic problem like arthritis, keeping your feet in good order is much easier than you think.
Choosing the correct designs and shape of shoes, like Ecco shoes NZ, a boot, or a running shoe, is all you need to do to keep your feet happy. Here are some tips to ensure your feet stay healthy for as long as possible.
Avoid Design Flaws
There are many shoe designs that are created purely for aesthetic purposes and not for supporting and helping your feet. One of the most common ones is shoes with a very narrow toe box, squeezing your toes and upper foot too much.
Another main issue is shoes that have a very flimsy and flexible sole. A good shoe sole should cushion your foot, provide stability, and protect against the wear and tear of walking; thin soles can’t do this.
Toe Box Width & Shape
Speaking of the toe box, choose a shoe with one that your toes and upper foot can comfortably fit in and have a bit of wriggle room. Shoes that just fit around this part of your foot aren’t “the perfect size”; they are, in fact, too small.
Wear With Socks
When you are trying on and buying shoes, always wear a pair of relatively thick socks when you do it.This will ensure that you have room to move when you wear the shoes without them and that they still fit correctly when you wear socks.
Once again, a super-tight fit is not a correct fit, and socks allow you to find the perfect mix of fitting still but adequately allow your feet to move.
Shoe Liner Test
A simple test to do to see if a shoe fits properly is to take out the liner and stand on it. Put all your weight over your foot, and if any part of it sticks off the edge of the liner, the shoe is too small.
This is an excellent test as the liner best represents how your foot will fit in the shoe. The rest of the shoe design doesn’t matter if the liner fails this test.
Arch and Ankle Protection
Choose shoes that have firm arch support and don’t jeopardise your ankles. Your foot shouldn’t be lying flat in the shoe, and the laces should tie high enough to keep the shoe stable near and around your ankle.
Always Choose Laces
Speaking of laces, if you have an existing foot issue or the signs of one, always choose laces over slip-ons or velcro. Laces allow you to tie the shoe as tight or loose as you need, once again ensuring a correct fit and stability.
Don’t Always Trust Sizing
Always try shoes on before buying them, and never trust the sizing. Similar to clothes, shoe sizes vary, not by a lot, but enough to make a difference. If you own a dozen or more pairs of shoes, it is almost guaranteed that a few pairs will be a size above or below your “regular” size.
Try on every shoe you buy and have a walk around in them. This will give you the best idea of how the shoe feels. This is especially important when purchasing leather or suede shoes as the materials act differently depending on the weather, humidity, etc.
Replace Worn-Out Shoes
Even if you love a certain pair of shoes and don’t want to get rid of them, wearing worn-out shoes is terrible for your feet. Think of it like driving around with worn-out tyres; you can still get from A to B but is it the best idea?
Firm Soles for Foot Pain
If you suffer from foot pain, always choose shoes that have firm soles and arch support. A mistake many people make is choosing softer soles because they can seem more comfortable, but soft soles don’t give you the support you need.
This is why when you break your arm, doctors wrap it in plaster and not cotton wool; the plaster isn’t as soft and comfortable, but it gives your arm the support it needs.
Buy Shoes in the Afternoon
A quick tip when buying shoes, always do it in the afternoon. This is when your feet will be the most active, and they will have swollen a small amount due to sweat and movement. Some people see differences of over a size or two when trying on shoes this way.
Breathability
Finally, you need to choose breathable shoes. If you are prone to foot fungus or stinky feet, avoid shoes that don’t provide any breathing room, such as boots or leather. However, this also doesn’t mean you have to wear sandals or Crocs all day either.
Many shoe designs have air holes in them that allow fresh air to enter and keep your feet cool and musk free.
