Finding the right kind of footwear can really make a difference to your health. It can make physical activity easier and help you keep your body safe from injury. You will be more comfortable performing physical tasks if you have the right kind of shoe that fits your feet. As well as this, it can help to protect your feet which will also help your legs, knees, and other joints. All of this will help prolong your enjoyment of recreational activities and help ensure that you don’t have problems with your feet later in life.
What should the right shoe do?
When you find a shoe that fits correctly, there should be several things that it offers you. It should cushion your foot using the midsole. If it doesn’t then you may need to find size-up insoles to help you. Shoes are not there to reduce the force going through your body but to reduce the time taken for the force to apply which allows your body to adapt itself to deal with the impact. Additionally, it should support your foot when it comes into contact with the ground and help with your alignment. And it should feel comfortable and fit well having at least 1cm space at the end of the shoe.
How to choose correctly
When you are buying your shoes from a specialist, it is important to let them know exactly what you are going to be doing when wearing the shoes. This will determine what advice you get and ultimately what shoes you purchase. Ask lots of questions to the members of staff who will be able to advise you about the shoe’s capabilities in the activity or sport you are performing. They should also be able to help you find the right size. Some handy tips to follow include:
Try to buy your shoes after you have exercised or in the evening– This is because your feet will be at their largest and it will show you whether the shoe fits perfectly for you.
Try wearing the outfit you would wear the shoes with- This will give you a better idea of how the shoe will fit into your style and if the shoe fits nicely on your feet.
Get your feet measured- This is something you should get done every time you go to buy shoes, particularly expensive ones. This is because as you age, your feet may change and become wider or shallower. Also, your feet are not the same as each other, so make sure to get both measured to see what size each foot needs
The wiggle test- When you are trying your shoes on, you should be able to wiggle all of your toes. You need room for your foot to be able to move when you are walking or running.
Don’t break them in – A good fitting shoe does not need to be broken in. it should feel comfortable from the first wear. Try walking a few steps in them and see how they feel. If they pinch your feet, they are not right
Width AND length- You need to make sure that your feet are not crushed into your shoe. Ask for a shoe that fits all of your foot, not just the length of it.
Choosing the right shoe
If you play a sport or have an active hobby, then you should wear shoes designed for that hobby. There are specific shoes designed for pretty much every sport. This is not a marketing campaign to get you to spend more money. Some shoes have more cushioning because they face more impacts, whilst others are more lightweight, so they don’t drag you down when you need to be quick or fast-moving.
If you are looking for shoes to go walking in for example. You should look for a lightweight option that has extra shock absorption in the heel and at the ball of your foot. If you need more arch support in your shoes an orthotic insole will limit over pronation and foot pain. This will reduce heel pain and hopefully prevent you from feeling too tender after a long walk.
If you prefer to run, then you should look for a shoe that offers more dynamic shock absorption and has a good structure to it. It should not bend easily. This will help you avoid any major injury and should stop you from twisting your ankles as much.
There is so much to choose from out there, you just need to spend a little time finding the right one for you.
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