Life is too short to go through it wearing uncomfortable shoes. Seriously! Over the course of a lifetime, the average individual will walk thousands of miles. Shoes that don’t fit right because they’re too tight, too loose, or don’t provide enough support can cause undue stress not only to the feet, but also to the ankles, legs, hips, and spine. Now that spring is in the air, we thought this would be a great time to go over some basic shoe buying tips. Once you’ve read our list and headed to the store, you’ll be able to purchase the best pair of supportive kicks for your body!
1. A shoe should conform to the shape of your foot, not the other way around!
2. “Specialty” shoes (walking/running/tennis/basketball/football/soccer/baseball/etc) are designed to correspond with certain activities. Make sure you pick the right shoe for your activities and lifestyle. If you’re not purchasing shoes for an athletic endeavor and aren’t sure what’s right for you, ask the salespeople at the shoe store for help.
3. Don’t assume that you’re always going to be the same size – have your feet measured every year.
4. Shop for shoes at the end of the day. This is when your feet are going to be their most swollen, which will allow you to figure out what’s going to fit the best and be the most comfortable all day long.
5. There should be roughly a half inch of space between the end of the shoe and your longest toe.
6. A square or rounded toe box will provide the most overall comfort, especially when compared to a pointed toe box. This is because the square/rounded shape allows your toes to all lay nice and flat.
7. A bigger size may not be the cure-all to ill-fitting shoes. You may need to look at different brands and styles to find a shoe that fits the width and shape of your feet.
8. Just like with clothing, shoe size can vary by style and manufacturer. Don’t just rely on the number – try the shoes on to ensure a proper fit.
9. Stay away from shoes that need to be stretched or need pads inserted to keep your feet from slipping. If they don’t fit well from the get-go, you’re definitely going to run into problems later on.
10. Walk, jump, run, skip (or whatever) while wearing your potential shoe choices, and do so on a variety of surfaces, too. This way you can make sure that your shoes will be comfortable no matter where they take you.
And finally, always remember that the most expensive shoes in the store are not always the best option. It’s more about how the shoe fits on your foot than the number on the price tag. Think of a good shoe as an investment. We promise, your feet, ankles, legs, hips, and back will thank you for making the right choice!