How to Choose the Right Pair of Shoes

by Sep 27, 2020Feet Tips, Fritzy Feet Tips0 comments

How to Choose the Right Pair of Shoes
Do you know how to choose the right pair of shoes? The right kind of shoe can help in keeping your feet healthy and keeping your body safe from any injuries. Additionally, they should provide cushion and support to your feet. It should fit you well and can make you feel comfortable. The best time to buy shoes is when your feet are at the largest, which is after doing some exercise or during the end of the day.

Every time you want to shop for shoes, you should take some measurements first. It is not surprising if one of your feet is larger than the other. You need to understand that your foot shape and size could change as you age. If you are playing a certain sport, then you have to choose a shoe type that is especially designed for that particular sport. In case you experience any problems with your footwear or feet then you should see a healthcare professional such as a physiotherapist or a podiatrist right away.

With the right footwear, you can perform your physical activity easily, keep your feet healthy, and prevent your body from getting injured.

By choosing a shoe that fits you well, you can feel more comfortable when you are active. Make sure that it is suitable for your activities, also it must be the proper type of shoe for your feet problems and can help in protecting your joints, legs, and feet.

What Can the Right Shoe Do for You?

The right shoe must provide enough cushion for your foot. The most important part of the shoe that offers cushioning is the midsole. It is surprising to know that shoes won’t be able to minimize the force that goes through the body. However, they can help in extending the time for that force to apply in order to provide the body more time to adapt.

Your shoe must be able to help with the alignment of your foot when it drops on the ground. It must feel comfortable on you right from the first time you wear it. Make sure that it fits you well. At the end of the shoe, there should be at least 1 to 1.5cm extra space. This is to guarantee that the shoe is long enough and wide enough to fit your feet. Ultimately, the shoe must feel snug but not too tight.

What Can the Right Shoe Do for You?

How to Choose the Right Shoe

As much as possible, you should purchase your athletic shoes from specialty stores only. They will probably give you advice on the type of shoe that you would need for your particular activity or sport. Usually, they will make sure that the shoes fit properly on you to make sure that you will end up with the right size of shoes.
  • Shopping for shoes should be done after exercising or during the end of the day. This can ensure that your shoes feel comfortable when you wear them because your feet are at their largest.
  • Wear the socks that you will use for your activity then try the shoes on.
  • Sometimes your feet may become wider and larger as you age, which is why you must ask the shop assistant to measure your feet each time you shop for shoes. There are also instances where one of your one feet is a bit larger than the other.
  • When wearing your shoes, be sure that you can wiggle all your toes inside. Bear in mind that you should make some room so your foot can move inside the shoe while you are walking or running.
  • The shoes should feel comfortable from the very first time that you try them on. You should never depend on ‘breaking them in’ for a comfortable fit.
  • In order to check its comfortability, you could try walking or running a few steps while wearing your shoes.
  • The shoes must grip your heel. Make sure that when you move, your heel will not slip in the shoes.
  • Consider the length as well as the width of the shoes. If you feel that the ball of your foot is squashed, you should ask the shop assistant if there is a wider size. Take note that shoes that are not wider but larger than the half size are not the best solution.
  • You must feel the inside of the shoes to make sure that there are no seams, tags, and other materials that could cause irritation on your foot.
  • Check the soles and make sure that they are durable enough so it can protect you against any harmful objects. Can they provide proper grip? Wear the shoes and walk on hard surfaces as well as on carpets.
If you play any kind of sport, then it’s best to wear shoes designed for that sport. There are specialized shoes designed for every sport such as golf, tennis, soccer, netball, football, cycling, running, and other types of sports. Each one of them has its own unique design, weight, and material to provide protection on your feet against the stresses of the particular sports activity.

A good tip would be to bring along a tracing of your foot when buying your shoes. If the shoe is shorter or narrower than your tracing, then you should avoid trying them on.

How to Choose the Right Shoe

Walking Versus Running

If you require shoes for walking, then you should look for lightweight shoes and make sure that it has an additional shock absorption beneath the ball of your foot as well as in the heel. With these features, you can reduce pain on the heel as well as tenderness or burning in the ball of your foot. Most often walkers would choose shoes with rocker or rounded bottom so they can easily change weight from heel to toe.

On the other hand, if you require shoes for running and would want a traditional style, then you should look for shoes with excellent torsional strength and total shock absorption. This means that the shoe should not twist easily. With these features, you can prevent yourself from obtaining injuries such as tendonitis, stress fractures, shin splints, heel pain, and other overuse injuries.

Another alternative would be a barefoot shoe or a minimalist shoe. With these shoes, your foot will feel as if you were running barefoot as you lay them on the ground. They provide lesser benefits other than providing grip and protection against any harmful objects on the ground. Some are intended to help people in transitioning from heel-first running to barefoot style running, wherein the forefoot or the midfoot lands on the ground first.

How Shoes Can Impact Your Legs, Feet, and Joints

If your shoes feel too loose, too tight, or do not provide sufficient support, then your physical activity will likely put strain on your lower legs, ankles, feet, and other joints. This enduring pressure may cause you pain and injuries.

Choosing poor footwear can likely lead to typical sports injuries such as corns and bunions, shin splints and Achilles tendon pain, ingrown nails, or lower back pain and postural issues. These injuries can likely restrict or interrupt your activity. Choosing the right shoes can likely help in avoiding these injuries.

What Will Happen If You Wear the Wrong Shoes?

If you are wearing shoes that are not designed for your particular activity, then there is a great chance that you will develop injuries. Be sure that it fits your foot mechanics or body mass. For instance, there are specific requirements for running versus beach footwear. If you are wearing the wrong shoes then it will likely aggravate any existing issues such as arthritis or pain in the ankles, knees, hips or feet.

Even if you only wear the wrong shoes for a short period of time, it can still cause some stress and pain to your joints and bones as well as the soft tissues that support them. For instance, this is something that you can notice if you are frequently standing for a long period of time as a part of your job.

Bear in mind that the shoes that you wear can significantly affect the way you walk as well as your posture. The way your feet move with each step can likely influence how the rest of your body moves as well. If you are walking properly, then your heel should make the first contact on the ground. Next is the arch, which will roll inward a bit, permitting the ball of the foot and the big toe to make contact with the ground. The heel will then come off from the ground, permitting you to shove off from the ball of your foot and then the big toe.

However, there are some people whose arches will roll inward excessively or probably not enough. Either of these can likely affect how efficiently your feet absorb shock. This can cause further strain on other joints. There are some shoe types that are not suitable for activities such as flip flops and high heels. Always remember that the right shoe must be able to prevent, lessen or eradicate foot pain. When there is no pain then you can move properly and easily. Because of this, you should look for the right shoe and get active!

At Fritzy Feet, you can find comfortable shoes that fit you well. We can even help people who are experiencing foot problems. Just call us at 303-343-4444 or send us your message at denver@fritzyfeet.com.