Hey, all. Now that summer is in full swing (or on its way to being over, yikes!), I'm doing a LOT more walking than I do the rest of the year. (In Duluth, summer only lasts about 2 months, so we have to get out while we can!) All this walking has me glad I invested in some comfy shoes last May. We have a great article from Tutulorraine about how to choose your shoes.

by Tutulorraine
We walk on them. We swim with them. We dance with them. We stomp on them when we’re angry and jump excitedly on them when we’re happy. If we play a sport, they can be the difference between a win and a loss. Mostly, though, we don’t even think about them when we use them, which is daily if they work correctly. “They” are our feet. To protect them, humans have worn shoes for thousands of years. Today, shoes can act as a fashion statement, with just as many styles as there are feet. Sometimes, though, these styles aren’t good for our feet. I’m here to prove that smart shoes triumph over stylish shoes when it comes to the health of our feet.

Our feet are very complex, with 26 bones. However, these bones do not fully set until age 18. This is why wearing “bad” shoes as a child or adolescent can lead to foot problems later in life. Foot problems caused by insensible footwear include bunions, corns, sprained ankles, ankle pain, ingrown toenails and calluses. Some more serious conditions require surgery to correct. So what is a “bad” shoe? What should people look for in a shoe? Dr. Foot.com has the answers. Flats and flip-flops are stylish but unless their bottoms are cushioned for support they can lead to foot pain. Shoes should be flexible to avoid rubbing and lining should be soft to avoid irritation and infection. Shoes without fastenings, such as clogs, are more likely to cause ankle pain and sprains.
Seriously, though, how much do we really have to worry? What’s the likelihood that problems will occur if we aren’t careful? In a British study run by UM Medical Center, of 83% of women polled who had foot problems, 92% regularly wore heels. Ideally, heels should be no more than 4cm tall because while walking all our weight is on our heels. Robert H. Lenand, M.D., assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at Wayne University, says, “Probably the most common and preventable cause of foot pain is footwear.” According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, women have roughly four times the amount of foot problems as men. These problems are mainly caused by high heels. See the effects of inappropriate footwear?

Healthy footwear doesn’t have to be boring. If you aren’t exactly sure how to identify foot healthy shoes you can buy from companies that specialize in these shoe types, such as Footsmart. You’ll probably notice how comfortable these shoes are. Sometimes these shoes are expensive, but when you compare them to designer brand prices you’re getting more for your dollar. However, you may not need to go as far as these companies, but shop wisely at shoe outlets near you. Use what you’ve learned about shoe-related foot health as well as past personal experiences when deciding what to buy. Look at arch support, material, heel height, etc. What’s the best test? If allowed, TRY THE SHOES ON! Walk, jog, and jump make sure they are comfortable, don’t irritate your skin, and fit your foot well. Your feet will thank you.

Shoes are fun and stylish (I’m with you on that note!), but they should also be smart. We use our feet every day, and mistreating them can lead to pain and aggravation, especially in women. Investing in smart stylish shoes is not just keeping your feet in good health. Happy feet can make your day more enjoyable and improve your outlook on everyday activities. Next time you see that new style think about your feet, and what they have to say.

Ever had an experience with uncomfortable shoes? Got hints on where and how to shop for “good” shoes? What other ways do you take care of your feet?