Things to consider in buying shoes
The significance of wearing comfortable shoes when starting an exercise regimen cannot be overstated. It will be much simpler to stay active and get in shape if you wear decent, comfortable shoes, whether you use them for walking, running, hiking, or team sports.
Choosing the right footwear is an important step in avoiding foot pain. Supporting the foot’s structures and safeguarding the foot from harm are the two main functions of footwear.
So what to look out for when we buy shoes?
- The toe box region should be roomy and deep
- The heel counter should be fully enclosed, firm and high
- The shoe should only bend where your foot bends (at the joint of the big toe)
- The shape of the shoe should match the foot (curved last for a curved foot). If the shape of the shoe does not match the foot, the shoe will be uncomfortable
- The midsole of the shoe should be firm yet shock absorbing
- The shoe should be a thumb width longer than the longest toe
A loose shoe such as a ‘slip on’ or a ‘flip flop’ flop are ironically exact terms for poor footwear. Walking bare foot is also not recommended especially when exercising.
For diabetic people, always run your hands around the footwear, tap and then shake upside down to make sure there are no foreign objects stuck in your shoes. Hence, feel the inside of the footwear to see if they have any tags, seams, or other material that might irritate your feet or cause blisters.
Moreover, wearing thicker soled shoes to negate the effects of walking plus gravity the more preventative measures we are taking to reduce the aging effects our feet will go throughout our lifetime.
If your chosen footwear has a supportive rear foot with a heel counter that is not too stiff but nevertheless supportive enough to control any excessive ankle motion this is an excellent protective feature.
Are you suffering from any foot problems? At The Chelsea Clinic, we can help. One of our podiatrist can assist and then recommend what treatments are best to get you back on track. 
Podiatrist South Kensington
Podiatrist South KensingtonSchedule an appointment here or you may call us at 44 (0) 207 101 4000.
We hope you have a feetastic day!
-The Chelsea Clinic and Team
