The right shoes are important to foot health. As such, it is good to ensure that you buy good shoes to enhance the health of your feet. So, how can you find a properly fitting pair of shoes that also offers support? Here are tips to help you choose the right shoes:
Draw Your Feet
Stand barefoot either on a cardboard or a piece of paper and trace the shape of your feet. Once you have finished tracing the shape of your feet, take each of your shoes and put them on top of the shape of the drawing of your feet. Many people often find out that their comfortable shoes match the outline of their feet.
Find out whether you have shoes that cause pain. Women’s shoes that cause pain have narrow toes or high heels. Therefore, if you are a woman, ensure that the toe of your shoe is not shorter or narrower than your toes.
Shop for Shoes in the Afternoon or Later In the Day
It is a good idea to buy shoes in the afternoon or later in the day as this will help you try shoes effectively and accurately. Keep in mind that your feet swell during the day because of standing and walking and will have expanded to their largest in the afternoon and later in the day. Shopping for shoes in the afternoon or later in the day will, therefore, help you find the most comfortable fit.
Ask the Salesperson to Measure Your Feet
Have the salesperson measure your feet whenever you shop for shoes. If one of your feet is wider or larger than the other, look for a size that fits your larger foot.
Allow For Wiggle Room
Use your hand to measure the space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. A good shoe has at least a ½ inch space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. Such a shoe will allow you to wiggle all your toes and provides enough space for your greater and lesser toes.
Walk Around In the Shoes
Walking around the store in the shoes that you want to buy will help you know how the shoes feel. Does the ball of your foot comfortably fit in the widest part of the shoe? Do your heels fit tightly or do they slip off or pinch? Some people make the mistake of thinking that new shoes that don’t fit properly will fit when they are broken in or will stretch as they continue wearing them. Don’t make such a mistake. Ensure that the shoes you buy fit right from the start.
Make Comfort a Priority
Make comfort a priority when it comes to shopping for a pair of shoes. Don’t focus too much on the size or description of the shoe. Sizes vary from one manufacturer to another. Regardless of how comfortable an advertisement claims that particular shoes are, you are the one to determine the comfort level of the shoes – orthotic sandals can be a great addition in this instance.
Inspect the Inside of the Shoes
Check the inside of the shoes to see whether there are any seams, tags or other materials that can cause blisters or irritate your feet. This will help you ensure that there is nothing inside the shoes that can hurt your feet.
Examine the Soles of the Shoes
Ensure that the shoes you want to buy have sturdy soles that can protect from sharp objects. Check whether the shoes provide any cushioning. Take the sole test while walking around the shoe store and check whether the soles cushion against impact. Walking on both the carpet and a hard surface will help you know how the shoes feel.
I am a Civil Engineer by profession but a fashion enthusiast in soul. I enjoy the thrill of mixing and matching clothes to create outfits that are out-of-the-box, yet classy!
I love experimenting with different colors, textures, patterns to come up with new combinations. My favorite thing about fashion is being able to express my creativity through it.
