Did you know that many people wear shoes that do not fit them properly? Wearing shoes that are too small or too tight can cause many foot problems, including serious conditions that can cause a lot of pain. Wearing shoes that are too large for the feet is also problematic since the feet will not be supported and cushioned correctly.
Here at Foot Solutions, we believe that getting your feet measured properly is the key to a lifetime of active and comfortable movement. Our feet can change in shape and size during the course of adulthood, so it is always worth having them measured by a professional when you are choosing new shoes. Shoes also vary in their sizing, and you will really feel the benefit when our experienced fitters help you to find footwear that fits your feet well.
Our Feet Change As We Age
Many people assume that their feet will remain the same size once they have finished growing as a teenager or young adult, but this is not true in most cases. The size of our feet often changes as a result of weight gain or weight loss, and changes during pregnancy are common too. Some medical conditions have an effect on the size or shape of the feet, and the effects of ageing can also be quite dramatic.
How To Find Good Shoes For You
Wearing shoes that fit you is vital for your feet and for your general health, but most adults believe that they no longer need to have their feet measured. An experienced fitter can help you to find shoes in the correct size, but will also focus on the way in which your feet move when you walk, as well as how they feel. We use a ten point process, which includes scans and observations, to establish the length and width of your feet and find the very best options for you.
Unfortunately, shopping for shoes is very easy to get wrong! Our feet change shape throughout the day, and simply buying shoes at the wrong time of day can mean that your feet are uncomfortable and squashed inside them the next time they are worn, which can lead to painful foot conditions. Read on for our foolproof guide to shopping for shoes that suit your feet.
The Best Way To Shop For Shoes
If you’ve been experiencing any foot pain, or just need new shoes, we can help you to make the best choices for your feet and your lifestyle. Here’s how:
1. Go to the store. Don’t be tempted to buy shoes online, as you have no idea how they will feel on your feet and whether or not they will offer enough support and cushioning. Start at Foot Solutions, and we will help to identify any foot pain you have been experiencing before showing you the difference you will feel when your shoes fit well.
2. Don’t take risks with your feet. The feet bear the brunt of your daily activities, supporting the body and coming under a great deal of pressure, and footwear that is poor quality will not help. You should avoid buying secondhand footwear as it will already have moulded to the shape of the previous wearer’s feet, putting strain on your feet in all the wrong places.
3. Go shopping late in the day. You should leave your shoe shopping until you have been walking around all day, as the feet swell and expand throughout the day. This means that a pair of shoes that fits you in the morning may be pinching late in the afternoon, so a late fitting will give you a much more realistic fit.
4. Get your feet measured. Regular measuring is vital in order to ensure that your feet are always comfortable. Visiting us at Foot Solutions allows you to find shoes that fit the length, width and arch length of your feet, setting up your feet for a more comfortable daily routine. You should stand up when your feet are being measured, as this centres the weight across your feet, and a process that takes your gait and lifestyle into account will always give better results.
5. Don’t worry about the numbers. It’s important not to get hung up on the size of your feet, since different shoe manufacturers will use different sizing measurements. Different styles also fit the feet in very different ways, so the number is not the most important thing to concern yourself with when you are buying shoes.
6. Make sure shoes fit both feet. Most people have one foot that is larger than the other, so you should always ensure that the bigger foot is comfortable within the shoes you are considering. Wearing an insole or arch support can help to ensure that the smaller foot is well supported, but fitting to the smaller foot will lead to the larger foot being squashed, which is extremely problematic.
7. Think about your socks. When you are trying on shoes, think about the socks that you will wear with them. You should wear these when you are trying on, and ensure that the shoes have enough room to accommodate them. Your pedorthist will recommend arch supports or custom orthotics if your feet need additional support, and this could make a big difference to your comfort level.
8. Put comfort first. If your feet look great but feel squashed, you will be putting additional pressure on them and risk developing painful foot conditions in the future. You should make sure that your shoes have enough room for your feet to spread, especially in the toe box, to avoid conditions such as hammertoe, bunions and corns. Here at Foot Solutions, you won’t have to choose between comfort and style, you’ll love our ranges of comfortable, fashionable shoes, sandals and boots.
Why Wearing Good Shoes Matters
Wearing shoes that are too tight or do not give your feet enough support will cause aches and pain during and after wear, but did you know that it can also do long term damage?
The following problems are commonly caused by poorly fitted shoes:
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- Bunions. Bunions are bony lumps that develop under the joints of the big toes when the toes are crushed together. This commonly happens as a result of wearing high heeled shoes, or shoes that are too tight or too narrow.
- Corns and calluses. Shoes that are too tight will rub against the feet and create a lot of friction, which can lead to painful corns and calluses. You should always ensure that your feet have room to move inside your shoes to avoid putting unnecessary pressure on them.
- Hammertoes. Hammertoes, which become deformed as the bones of the toes are crushed together, are often the result of wearing shoes that have a narrow toe box and squash the toes together, such as high heels.
- Ingrown toenails. Ingrown toenails are a painful problem, and this is sometimes caused by shoes that are too small, pressing onto the nails and the nail beds.
- Plantar fasciitis. Serious foot conditions such as plantar fasciitis are commonly caused by wearing shoes that do not give the feet enough support. Shoes that give good arch support and have enough cushioning to protect your feet will help to protect them throughout the day, and this is especially important when you exercising.
- Morton’s Neuroma. Severe nerve pain in the foot is often cause by high pressure around the nerve, which is exacerbated by tight fitting footwear. This can be a debilitating condition, and is often remedied by switching to better footwear, but may require surgery in extreme cases.
- Metatarsalgia. Pain in the ball of the foot, known as metatarsalgia, develops when the feet do not have enough support while walking, running or standing for long periods of time. Your shoes should include plenty of cushioning in all the right places to enable them to fully support your body throughout the day.
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Find Comfortable Shoes in Ireland
Here at Foot Solutions, our experienced pedorthists will be delighted to help you to find the best options for your feet. We can carry out a ten point assessment of your feet and your lifestyle, and then make recommendations that often include comfortable, well-fitted shoes, with comfort socks and/or custom arch supports.
We believe that everyone should be able to enjoy a full and active life without foot pain, and that every customer deserves a unique solution that works. Visit us at Foot Solutions for a professional fitting, or book an appointment online today.
