Picture this. You are out shopping and you find yourself increasingly feeling the rub on your toes as you walk. You thought you worn a sensible walking shoe out shopping for the day, however this particular pair of shoes has been giving you grief after walking in it after 1 hour and always rubbing on the toes and has given you a corn. You wonder, what should I look for in a shoe to avoid this from happening the next time?
These are the top tips for what to look for in a shoe to avoid blisters, corns and toe and foot deformities.
Fixation
This can be anything that helps to keep the shoe secured on your feet such as Laces, Velcro, Buckles and Bungee laces.
By having something that helps to keep the shoe secure on your feet, the muscles in your feet and legs do not have to work overtime to keep them on your feet. If you think of wearing a pair of thongs and how if you have not worn them during the winter months, then you put them back on in the summer months you usually start to get sore feet or legs or even both! This is because your feet are having to do all the work to keep them on.
Toe Bend
If you think about the way in which our feet work, when walking the bend is coming from just behind your toes. Therefore your shoe should be bending in the same area and
not in the middle of the shoe. For example you should not be able to fold the shoe in half. This helps your foot to move in an optimal way, while providing you with the best support possible.
Twisting - firmness of the soles
Your shoe should have minimal ability to be twisted in the centre. For example you should not be able to wring your shoes like a towel. Not being able to twist the shoes indicates that there is adequate support in the shoe.
Firm Heel counter
The heel counter of a shoe helps to hold your foot in your shoe in a similar fashion to how fixation works. When you try to push the heel area of your shoe down there should be minimal movement. If the heel counter can be completely squashed down then it is not helping to keep the shoe on your foot and the same problems can occur which were discussed above as fixation.
No Bulging over sole of the shoe
This tip relates to ensuring that the shoe is wide enough for your foot. If when you are wearing the shoe you find that the top of the shoe is bludging over the sole of the s
hoe, this can be an indication that the shoe is not wide enough for your feet. Wearing shoes that are not wide enough can cause callus or corns to form on your little toes and can also further progress toe changes like Bunions. This can also be something you may notice can cause a problem is a you a pathology like a neuroma, as the more narrow shoe is causing irritation by compressing the nerve.
Correct depth
Having shoes that are the incorrect depth can cause similar complications to having shoes that are not wide enough for your feet. Rubbing can cause pain, callus or corns on the top of the toes. When trying on a shoe ensure that there is enough room for your toes to fit into the toe box area. You may also find that if a shoe is not deep enough for your foot that you may slip out of the shoe when wearing it.
Removable innersoles
Having shoes where you can remove the innersoles can have multiple benefits. It can help to reduce odour in the shoes by removing the innersoles to let them air or some shoes even have innersoles that can be washed. If down the track you need an orthotic device from your podiatrist then being able to remove the innersoles means that there will enough depth for your device to fit into your existing shoes without having to purchase another pair. If the innersoles have an appropriate amount of support you may be able to use them in your other shoes as well.
If you would like a shoe fitting please contact us at info@footbodysole.com.au or 8648 7678 or come in store to chat to our friendly staff.
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