Shopping For Shoe Comfort

Purchasing a Shoe

Here are some hints to take into consideration when purchasing a shoe. Because this is also an area that causes a lot of frustration.

  • Have a good idea of your shoe size, and only use it as a starting point.  That is the first size for the shop assistant to bring for you to try.
  • Visit your shoe store when you have time and the store is not too busy.  And if your feet tend to swell go in the afternoon so you find a pair of shoes that will not be too tight – and a laced or Velcro adjustable strap is the better styles for you.
  • Select your shoe based on the shape of your foot, the length, width and depth of your foot, as just one to two hours in a shoe that is not suitable for your foot will can cause problems.
  • A broad low heeled shoe is better as it takes the weight off of your toes and ball of your foot.
  • There should enough space to wiggle your toes, and the edge of the shoe which is closest to your big toe should be straight and not slanting into a pointed tip. A tip the shape of some trainers toe box is ideal and in some cases where finding an appropriate shaped shoe is a problem then using an properly fitting trainer will help to make your feet more comfortable.
  • The sole should be thick enough to be protective to tacks and nails penetrating the shoe and reaching your foot.
  • There should be no seams or button edges or ridges on the inside of the shoe that can make your foot rub
  • The shoe should be long enough to allow for the elongation of your foot when walking.

The Correct Shoe for the Right Occasion

Comfort shoes for work where we are in them for at least eight to ten hours a day for the average individual.  Style shoes for partying and socialising where we are in those type of shoes for two to maybe four hours.

While it is not readily available here shoe fitting that is measuring of the feet should be done especially if you are a diabetic.  With age the ligaments of the feet can become more lax and can increase your shoe size.  Shoes made by different brands may have a different fit.  So a size 6 in one style/brand shoe may be a 7 or 8 in another.

As a diabetic because of the altered sensations and circulation it is always important to have a shoe properly fitted and the wearing in of a shoe should not be the opportunity for the shoe to stretch but for the opportunity for your feet to get accustomed to the shoe.  If you buy a shoe and wait on the stretch it may never come.  Stretching of a shoe will not occur if there is no reason for it to stretch.

So it is now becoming a little more confusing to buy a pair of shoes.  Here are some hints to take into consideration when purchasing a shoe.

  1. Have a good idea of your shoe size, and only use it as a starting point.  That is the first size for the shop assistant to bring for you to try.
  2. Visit your shoe store when you have time and the store is not too busy.  And if your feet tend to swell go in the afternoon so you find a pair of shoes that will not be too tight – and a laced or Velcro adjustable strap is the better styles for you.
  3. Select your shoe based on the shape of your foot, the length, width and depth of your foot, as just one to two hours in a shoe that is not suitable for your foot will can cause problems.
  4. A broad low heeled shoe is better as it takes the weight off of your toes and ball of your foot.
  5. There should enough space to wiggle your toes, and the edge of the shoe which is closest to your big toe should be straight and not slanting into a pointed tip.  A tip the shape of some trainers toe box is ideal and in some cases where finding an appropriate shaped shoe is a problem then using an properly fitting trainer will help to make your feet more comfortable.
  6. The sole should be thick enough to be protective to tacks and nails penetrating the shoe and reaching your foot.
  7. There should be no seams or button edges or ridges on the inside of the shoe that can make your foot rub
  8. The shoe should be long enough to allow for  the elongation of your foot when walking.

Questions to ask your self after you have made sure you have fulfilled all the above criteria.  How do they feel on?  Can I wiggle my toes?  Now that I am walking around the store do I feel any rubbing?  Now that I am about to take off my shoe and I have sat down and touch the toe box am I feeling any pressure from my toes or foot on the inside of the shoe? Now that I think I am ready to make this selection and I have taken my feet out of the shoe, do I have any slight reddish or whitish marks on my feet that may indicate rubbing that I cannot feel?

Remember a little too tight shoe may end up being a long hospital stay and a long time off work. A shoe that is too tight and causes rubbing of my toes as they are squeezed together will cause soft corns between the toes and these corns can be very painful and if I am diabetic these corns can lead to ulcers and ulcers can lead to infection and infection can lead to amputation.  A shoe that is not deep enough can cause rubbing on the tops of the feet and this can cause nail and joint damage, blisters and corns, calluses and clawed toes.

If your shoes are too big your feet will slip around too much and could also cause blistering and calluses.

If you are diabetic remember footwear is important, you should never, be with out shoes.  A shoe for all occasion is needed.  Even for those trips to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

If you have special feet and are still unsure of what shoe selection to make get individual advise from your Podiatrist.  Remember, these feet are made for comfort.

So now that we have looked a t few foot ailments and some footwear tips.  I think it is obvious how important our feet are to us and the need to remember then and just DO NOT TAKE THEM FOR GRANTED.  RESPECT THEM AND THEY WILL RESPECT YOU.

Written by Simone McConnie BSC Pod Med (UK) – Podiatrist in Private practice Barbados