When shopping for shoes you want them to express your personal style, but if you have foot pain, you need them to be comfortable, too. Shoes can either help or hinder the way our feet feel. There are many ways to wear fashionable shoes while still being comfortable and relieve pain. Below are nine important things to consider when buying the right shoes for your foot pain.
Consider the Length and Width
You probably know your shoe size, but when was the last time you actually measured the length and width of your feet? For your shoes to be comfortable when walking around, you should have an extra 1-1.5 cm at the end of your shoe when it is on your foot. There should be room for your toes to wiggle. You do not want your feet squished inside your shoe all day.
To measure the width of your feet, try tracing the outline of your foot on a piece of cardboard. Bring this to the shoe store with you. Before trying on a shoe, place it on top of the outline. If the shoe is more narrow than the outline you drew, don’t even try them on. You want some extra space around your foot inside your shoe.
Consider Your Socks
Your socks also affect the comfort of your shoes. You want to wear the same type of socks on the day you buy the shoes that you will be wearing when walking around in them. Sometimes we try on shoes in a thin sock and they seem to fit- only to find out that when we wear a warmer or thicker sock, the shoes are no longer comfortable. Try wearing socks of medium thickness to feel comfortable in every shoe every time you wear them.
Walk in the Shoes
Sure, the shoes may feel comfortable when sitting, but how about when you walk? You surely aren’t going to be sitting all day in your new shoes. Once you stand up and begin to walk, notice if the shoes rub in any specific place. Do your toes have room as you take each step? Do they hug your foot comfortably without being too tight or falling off? Walk around a little as you think of these questions.
Look For a Stiff Heel or Heel Cup For Support
If you have foot pain, you need a supportive shoe. Look for a stiff heel that doesn’t bend. You can even add a heel cup for extra support and to relieve the pressure off the center of your foot.
Shoes Should Bend at the Toes
Bendy toed shoes are essential for easing any foot pain. You want your shoes to be supportive- but not stiff. The heel of your foot should be supported, but the ball of your foot should have the flexibility to breathe and bend with each step.
Cushion at the Foot
The balls of our feet tend to experience the most pain when walking long distances. A cushion at the foot of the shoe can relieve this pressure. Consider getting extra insoles for your shoes to add cushion and comfort.
What are the Shoes For?
Consider what the shoes are for. Will you be walking or running in them? Different activities require different shoes for ideal comfort.
Shoes for walking should be light and shock absorbent. Shoes for running should be more supportive and should not twist to withstand the impact of running.
Arch Support
Arch supports are placed inside your shoe to relieve pain and enhance comfort. You can even get custom arch supports designed specifically to support your feet. Arch supports help to align your foot properly in your shoe.
Metatarsal pad
Metatarsal pads relieve the pressure off the ball of your foot alleviating pain. They do this by distributing the pressure that would otherwise be centered on the ball of your foot.