Buying the Right Pair of Shoes

We feel so excited whenever we see a stylish shoe resting in the showcase of a retail outlet. But our excitement turns into a sense of deprivation whenever we find out that the shoe would not fit properly in our feet. But our desire to acquire the shoes deepens and we end up buying it! We do not bother about the discomfort and forget about the pain when someone compliments with a big "Wow". Many studies have found that women often are ignoring the result of buying wrong fitting shoes for the sake of fashion. But today shoe manufacturers are coming up with great styles which offer adequate comfort to the feet as well. So now the responsibility rests with us, the buyers, to make sensible choices.

What are the Problems that You Might Face with Uncomfortable Shoes?

Unconfortable shoes can be a source of many problems for your feet. Some of them include.

• When you wear high heel shoes, your body weight gets redistributed and excess pressure is exerted on the forefoot. This conditions can cause bunions, hammertoes and corns. 
• Wearing of high heels also raises the risk of fall and injuries.
• Wearing pointy toe shoes might lead to the development of corns and calluses. 
• Sometimes, you would find lack of heel support in some specific types of shoes like mules and there is a possibility that your feet would slip out.
• Uncomfortable shoes carry the dangers of muscle strain, sprain and even fractures. 

How Would You Know If a Shoe is Comfortable?

• A Spacious Toe Box: The toe box should allow enough room for your toes to relax. Make sure that the shoes are not smaller than the outline of the footprint of your foot. Wearing shoes just half an inch narrower than the footprint can increase your chances of foot pain. Individuals with wide feet suffer the maximum discomfort. There should also be room in front of the toes, about half an inch, to take into account your sliding foot when you walk. Too much room can allow feet to slide inside shoes, causing calluses and other irritation. Adequate space also needs to be there above the toes to prevent the toes from getting rubbed against the shoe. The best way by which you can test this is by wiggling your toes inside the toe box while standing.
• Porous and Comfortable Material: The upper part of the shoe should be made of a comfortable material and have "give" because your foot flexes as you walk. The material should be porous so that it can allow the entry of air inside the shoe. Leather shoes suit these criteria to the maximum extent. However, you need to polish leather shoes regularly to maintain the softness.
• Adequate Cushioning to Absorb Shock: The shoe should also provide enough cushioning to absorb the shock which gets generated with each step. The cushioning effect acts like shock absorbers to decrease joint ache and should be felt in three main areas: the arch, the heel and the front. An insole material which is also absorbent would support the release of heat from the inside of the shoes and would prevent the development of rashes and infections.
• Accurate Grip of the Soles: The soles should offer enough grip to prevent slipping on any type of surface where you expect to wear them.
• Supportive Back Portion: The ideal measurement of the elevation at the heel is 3/4 inch to 1 inch. The counter or the back part of the shoe (the part that curves around your heel) should offer stiffness so as to prevent spraining or straining of the ankles. The back portion of the foot should fit neatly into the heel of the shoe.
• Durable Rubber Outsole: Durable rubber outsole, specifically designed for bio-mechanical motion, supports natural walking process. 

Your feet tend to swell during the day. So shop for shoes in the late afternoon or evening. Also, your feet expand under the weight of your body. So have the salesperson measure both feet while you are standing up.

You often choose tight shoes with the expectation that these would soften over time. But it takes longer than expected. Consumers have turned their attention to the purchase and use of healthy shoes. This has inspired manufacturers to come up with comfortable yet "cool" designs. And so you have enough choices these days!