It seems never have there been so many options when it comes to footwear, especially athletic shoes. There are dozens of brands, and each brand offers dozens of styles that promote a variety of features whether you’re a runner, CrossFit athlete, biker, or just wearing tennis shoes for their style. But when deciding what shoe to buy there is one very important factor many people forget to consider, their foot health! Foot health can be dramatically affected by how your shoes fit since every foot is different. There are a few key points to keep in mind when trying on your next pair of sneakers.
Leave some space
Give yourself plenty of room at the end of the shoe for the toes to move freely. By allowing your toes adequate toe room you can alleviate bunion discomfort and help to prevent corns from forming. Our toes are not made to be crammed into the end of a shoe with no wiggle room. When someone habitually wears shoes that are too small this can create hammertoes, a very painful structural issue to the whole foot. Allowing your feet and toes enough room will keep your feet healthy, and ready for a full day walking on them!
Supportive Souls
If you are on your feet a lot, or exercising often in your tennis shoes, then it’s important to ensure you have proper cushioning in your shoes. The soul of your foot and shoe is a shock absorber with every step you take. The impact your foot takes when walking or jogging is more than 1.5 times your body weight, making the way you absorb the weight very important. If you have a flat foot or fallen arches, it is in your best interest to get a shoe with a high arch support.
Arch Support
And speaking of arch support, custom orthotic inserts might be exactly what your foot needs to experience proper support in your shoes. If you are spending long hours on your feet, or plan to exercise routinely, orthotic inserts can be extremely helpful for eliminating painful stress on your arches. Dr. Herbst helps his patients with proper fitting of custom orthotic inserts to help prevent painful foot injuries.
When it comes to foot fashion or foot function, it’s possible to find both. But if your goal is to keep your feet healthy, you may want to stick to this list of what to prioritize for your next shoe purchase. Dr. Brad Herbst is here to assist you with any foot ailments. If you’re experiencing any type of pain, call our San Jose Boulevard office today to schedule an appointment at 904-268-6993.