While fashion is essential when buying shoes, other factors like function and a proper fit for healthy feet are equally important. Here are the only ten tips to help you decide when shopping for shoes.
Have a tracing of your foot. Place shoes you’re considering as options on top of the tracing. If the shoes don’t fit well on the tracing, for instance, it’s shorter or narrower, forget about it.
Afternoon hours are best for shoe shopping because your feet expand naturally during the day.
Put on the same kind of socks you intend to wear with the shoes while you go shopping.
Let the salesperson measure your feet, not once, but each time you shop for a new pair. Your feet also grow as you age, so your current shoe size might not match the past size. If your feet are not the same size – one is larger – pick shoes that fit the larger one.
Stand when you put the shoes on. Hold the top of the shoe with your fingers to feel that there’s about a half-inch gap between the end of the shoe and your longest toe. The space is necessary as it gives your feet enough room to press forward when you move around. Try wiggling your toes to confirm there’s ample room.
Walk a few steps in the shoes to get a taste of how they feel. How’s the space at the balls of the feet? Are the heels cozy, or do they slip off as you walk? Don’t assume that the shoes will fit well with time. Pick comfortable shoes right from the beginning.
Believe in the comfort level rather than a shoe’s size. Sometimes shoe size varies depending on the manufacturer. And although a shoe description may claim that the shoes are super comfortable, you must prove that by trying the shoe on.
Be keen on the width and length. If a shoe feels tight for the balls of your foot, you can request a wider size. You could pick a bigger shoe, but the shoe will still be uncomfortable if the width is still the same. Ensure that if you wear Orthoticshops custom orthotics that you take this into account when trying shoes.
Pass your fingers through the inside of the shoes to find whether there are seams, tags, or any material irritating your feet.
The soles are essential, so you must examine them. Check whether they’re sturdy to protect you from getting hurt by sharp objects. Feel whether they provide cushioning. Walk around and notice how they feel. Move to a hard surface and walk to determine if they suit such surfaces.
