Image from habitusliving.com
Before I started embarking in my journey about my feet issue, I didn't really realised that I have been buying shoes for all the wrong reasons.
The wrong reasons:
- It's trendy and currently fashionable. Everyone is wearing them..so must I.
- It's on sale and cheap.
- It looked sexy and good when I wear them.
- It matched the colour of my outfit.
- Buying an ill appropriate size because it is REALLY nice and it is the last one left.
I guess may of us have fallen into the usual habit, without considering the fitting or comfort of the shoe. I know I have even bought some shoes and left them untouched for more than a year, all because it was on sale. It is the biggest culprit among the other wrong reasons, where we may have bought something which we didn't really need in the first place. Style is often the key to consideration, but it cannot be the only factor.
Coupled with the wrong reasons, I didn't have much idea or knowledge on choosing the fight fit in the right way. I am only armed with the basic since adolescent, which is ensuring that there are at least 1/2 inch space at the toe space and that it is not tight when worn. Little that I realised, I am doing more damage than good to my feet in the long run.
Good thing is that bad things don't last forever and fresh perspective and change is always welcomed. Here are some tips that I found useful to keep in mind when I am on a shoe hunt.
1. Fitting and shop later in the day.
Feet tend to swell ( up to 8% ) at the end of the day, so it is best to fit or purchase shoes during this time to avoid getting shoes that are too tight.
2. Measure your feet.
Feet can grow as we aged, so have your feet measured every year. Make sure you stand while having your feet measured because the full weight of your body will expand your feet.
3. Do not buy shoes based on the size.
Size may vary from brand to brand and style. It is important to try on the shoes, and then purchase the one that fits the best, regardless the size.
4. Suitable toe box.
A square or round toe box will provide more room and comfort by allowing the toes to lay flat. A pointed shoe shape may crowd the toes, causing discomfort.
Purchase a shoe that conforms to the shape of your foot.
5. Leave 1/2 inch at the front of the shoe.
There should be a good 1/2 inch between the end of your longest toe and the end of the shoe front. Your longest toe may not be your big toe. If you are wearing a shoe that is too long for your foot, you may develop toe pain and blisters as your feet continuously slides forward toward the front of the shoe.
Image from orthoinfo.aaos.org
6. Walk around in the shoes...
On different surfaces if available to make sure they are comfortable and feel right. Do not buy shoes with hopes that some day they will be comfortable to wear.
7. One foot might be slightly larger than another..
Consider the one that fits the larger foot. Different padding or inserts may be considered to take up the room to avoid slippage. It is best to walk in the shoes with the padding and inserts to really make sure it is at your comfort level before purchasing.
Source from here.
Final post: Foot Issues ( Part 4 ) : Foot Care
Just to clarify that I this is not an advertorial post, nor am I associated with any orthopedic associations. It is based on my own personal experiences.
My mom have both her feet with bunions because of those pointed toe shoes....and I was wearing them for the longest time till I saw my feet changing in shape, looking like my mom's! It freaked me out and I started getting rid of them and went for those square toe box shoes. My feet went back to what a pair of normal feet should look like well except I have plantar ficiatis.
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