As podiatrists, one of the most common misconceptions we come across is whether a patient’s shoes are supportive or not. With so many varieties of shoes available both in store and online, it is hard to know what to look for in a shoe that is supportive and comfortable for your feet. With the average Australian completing 7500 steps a day[1], it is important to choose footwear that is suitable for your daily activities.
Supportive features
There are a few key features that are important to look for in a supportive shoe. A good shoe will have a sturdy sole that is not easily twisted or bent. You want to make sure that the heel of the shoe is also strong, and that you can’t push it flat with ease. Flexibility in these areas of a shoe can be a sign that the shoe lacks support, which can affect the health of your feet if you are spending long periods on your feet.
Fastening
Slip on shoes have become more and more popular as they are so easy to take on and off. The risks with a slip on shoe is that it can lack the strength to hold the foot in position, which can increase the risk of falls and injury [2]. When buying shoes it should be desired that you look for a shoe that has laces or Velcro straps to hold your foot in a stable position in the shoe. If you struggle to tie laces up or reach your feet, talk to your podiatrist before buying shoes! There are many options available to replace shoelaces in a shoe to make it easy to take on and off.
Cushioning
The amount of cushioning in shoes varies depending on the style and what they are designed for. Cushioning can be great for active people who spend long periods on their feet, particularly on hard surfaces, to protect your feet and legs from shock induced pathologies/injuries [3]. Podiatrists can give you plenty of advice on how much cushioning to look for in a shoe, based off your foot type and what you plan on using them for!
Shoe Fitting
One of the most important things to remember when buying shoes is that they fit your feet properly! With many shoe stores stocking multiple sizes with different widths, it is becoming easier to find a pair that fits your feet perfectly. For people who have variations in their foot shape, there are plenty of custom show options available, so it is important to talk to your podiatrist about your feet, and what you think will fit you the best.
Can I still wear my thongs or sandals?
Whilst thongs and sandals typically lack supportive features, it does not mean you have to throw them away! For the majority of people thongs can be fine to wear around the house or for a quick trip to the shops or the beach. Thongs can become an issue for elderly people as they can become a Hazard and increase the risk of a fall. We as podiatrists can assess whether thongs are a risk to you, and what shoes to wear for particular activities. How can a podiatrist help me with shoes? We as podiatrists can help you to breakdown your daily activities and can assess your biomechanics to help you choose suitable footwear.
Whether you use your shoes for running, going to the shops, or going to the gym, there is a style or shoe to fit every aspect of our lives. As podiatrists we know what type of shoe will work best for your feet and will keep you out of pain and out of trouble. Speak to us at Coast Podiatry about your shoes to help keep your feet happy and healthy.
Author- Brett Spierings
[1] Vandelanotte, C., Mummery, K., Duncan, M., & Brown, W. (2019) Health Check: do we really need to take 10,000 steps a day? [2] Rosenblatt, N. J., Girgis, C., Avalos, M., Fleischer, A. E., & Crews, R. T. (2019). The Role of the Podiatrist in Assessing and Reducing Fall Risk: An Updated Review. Clinics in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery. https://doi- org.ezproxy.newcastle.edu.au/10.1016/j.cpm.2019.12.005 [3} Xiaole Sun, Wing-Kai Lam, Xini Zhang, Junqing Wang, & Weijie Fu. (2020). Systematic Review of the Role of Footwear Constructions in Running Biomechanics: Implications for Running- Related Injury and Performance. Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, 19(1), 20–37.