Introduction
The feet, being one of the most important parts of the human body, help in move throughout the day, so it is our responsibility to provide the best footwear for our feet. Best does not mean the most expensive one but the most comfortable one for sure. Wearing good shoes will not only help prevent injuries but will also make us feel confident and comfortable. Just the way foot health is connected to overall well-being, our shoes can affect the whole body and not just our feet. It might be trendy to choose fashion over comfort, but a person is the most active when the person is in comfortable clothes and footwear. A shoe that fits well and suits our activity type will also protect the feet, legs, and joints from any injuries.
Learning What The Right Footwear Can Give Us.
The right shoe will not only make a person more confident but also will :
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Cushion the foot - The main part of the shoe is the midsole because it is the part that provides cushioning. The force that travels throughout the body while walking is generally not reduced by shoes, but the time it takes for the force to be applied surely gets increased by the shoes, so our body gets enough time to adapt.
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Perfect shoes are those that help in providing the best alignment of our foot as it touches the ground.
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Make us feel confident - The shoes must make us feel confident from the very first wear.
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It should fit well - One needs to make sure they have enough room at the end of the shoe. There should be at least 1-1.5 cm of space at the end of the shoe. The shoe should be wide and long to fit the feet well. The shoe should neither be very tight nor loose.
What Is the Kind of Shoes That a Person Should Look For?
Before buying shoes, it is very important to check if the footwear meets the following requirements.
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The footwear must have a stiff back. To check if it has a stiff back, one has to keep the heel in one hand and the shoe above the other hand that has the heel. One should not be able to move the shoe in a side-to-side motion around the heel.
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The shoe needs to have a small amount of torque. To check it, one needs to make sure they are holding the shoes at both ends and can twist them slightly.
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Checking if the shoes bend where the toes bend.
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If the shoes provide arch support - If it is found that the shoes do not provide arch support, it is always advised to add extra arch support, after which it has to be checked if the arch support can fit in the shoe without squeezing the toes or making the shoes slip off the heel.
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Check if the shoes are wide and long enough at the toes so that it does not push the toes. Enough room at the front should be ensured for the toes to straighten out and not get curled. In addition, the shoes need to be comfortable.
How to Choose the Right Shoe?
It is always suggested that athletic shoes should be bought only from specialty stores, and the following steps should be followed.
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One should always remember to shop for shoes at the end of the day because that is when our feet are at their largest size, so if the individual shops by that size, the individual will end up getting comfortable shoes.
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Regularly wearing socks that are generally worn while doing some activity is recommended.
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One should see if they can wiggle their toes while wearing the shoes. Enough room is needed in the shoes for the feet to move as a person walks or runs.
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There is neither any point nor any logic in waiting for the shoes to "break in." They should be comfortable from the first time we wear them.
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Before finally buying the shoes, it is important to walk or run a few steps in that shoe to see if they are comfortable.
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One should also make sure that the shoes grip the heel properly and the heels do not slip in the shoes while moving.
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Feet changes as a person ages. It might become larger and wider with age, or one foot might become slightly bigger than the other one. The same applies to pregnant women. So it is a must to ask the shop assistant to measure the size of the feet before buying shoes.
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The shoes must be wide enough for the balls of the feet not to get squashed. If they do, opting for a wider shoe is suggested. Even half a size larger shoes do not help; only wider shoes help.
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One should also check the inside of the shoes for any tags, seams, or other materials since these things might irritate the foot.
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It is also important to examine the soles properly. One needs to see if the soles are strong enough to provide protection against harmful objects or provide the appropriate grip. The shoes should be comfortable while walking both on carpets and hard surfaces.
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For people who are into sports, it is advisable to wear shoes that are designed solely for athletic sports. A person can easily get specific shoes designed for tennis, golf, soccer, football, running, cycling, and other sports at sportswear stores.
Conclusion
There are certain footwear that cause deformities and make it difficult to get a good fit. So it is always suggested to go for shoes made up of soft leather so that they can be stretched over the deformity. People with bunions need to buy shoes with wider toe boxes, and for cases like hammertoes, shoes with tall toe boxes are a must. Arch problems require inserts and, in some cases, customized orthotics help too. It is always suggested to talk to a podiatrist to get a clear idea of what kind of footwear a person needs.
