Shoes are such an important part of a person’s attire that they not only add to the overall outfit in terms of aesthetics, but also in their functionality: there’s no other piece of clothing that needs to fit as precisely when performing a critical function, and that is to support body weight.
Here’s what you need to know before shopping for the right pair of shoes for your feet:
Understand how shoes affect your legs
Your feet are responsible for holding up your weight when you stand up and walk, so when your shoes are too tight or not fit for your intended purpose, it could add stress on your feet and ankles, which can lead to future injuries.
Shoes also affect your gait. A correct step is when your heel touches the ground first, followed by the arc slightly rolling inward, ending with the big toe touching the ground.
Know what makes a good shoe
Shoes aren’t just good because they look great or are made of high quality material. You know it’s a good pair of footwear when it has the following qualities:
- Roomy – A good shoe, while it fits snugly, should still be comfortable enough for your foot to spread normally when walking.
- Versatile – If you walk often, a pair of multi-purpose shoes for different occasions is well worth the investment.
- Stable – The shoe’s heel support is enough to prevent any kind of horizontal or vertical foot movement.
Know what types of footwear to avoid
Now that you know what kind of footwear you should be looking for, it’s also important to know what you should avoid. While these types of footwear are okay in certain types of environments, it’s best that you avoid the following types of shoes since they can pose significant problems for your feet:
- High heels – There’s every reason why you want to avoid wearing high heels for extensive walking: it places too much stress on your ankles and shifts the weight to your hips and knees, creating a serious balance problem.
- Flats – Arch support and shock absorption is critical for those with flat feet, and flats tend to provide neither.
- Extra-roomy shoes – It’s really important that your footwear is just the right size. If it has too much space, it can lead to pain for your lower limbs or feet.
Know what you’re using the shoe for
If there’s one thing you need to know before making an investment in footwear, it’s that different shoes are great for different purposes. While high heels and stilettos are great for formal occasions, they’re not the best types of footwear for extensive walking. The same can be said for black leather shoes that look good, but need a lot of care and maintenance.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.