Whether you sprint or do ballet, wear high heels or flip flops, every step you take and every move you make, your shoes impacts the wellbeing of your feet.
Your feet are one of the most used parts of your body. Yet, some people give their feet the least amount of attention.
The most common cause of foot problems is when your feet are either too small or too big for your shoes. Such incorrect footwear is a recipe for foot problems. In order to find the proper shoes for your feet, you will first need to know what is your foot type.
What is your foot arch type?
The curve and width of your foot will help you to identify whether you have a high arch or flat foot. In knowing this, you will be able to choose the correct shoes for your feet.
The easiest method you can use to identify your foot type is by wetting your feet and walking on tiles or cement where you can look at your footprints. As a rough guide, compare your footprints with the image below as this will help you to learn more about your foot type.
The most common foot arch type are high and flat foot. Here are the differences between these foot arches.
High arched foot
High arched foot or commonly referred to as the “cavus foot” needs a shoe that has better flexibility and good cushioning. If you are someone who has a high arched foot, it is advisable to find shoes that provide better comfort for your feet.
Having a high arched foot means most of your weight is placed on the rearfoot and forefoot causing a lot of pain to your feet and legs. This can make you susceptible to foot conditions such as heel pain and ball-of-foot pain.
Flat foot
Another foot type is the flat foot. If you have this type of arch, you have the tendency of often being biomechanically imbalanced where the muscles on your feet become imbalanced causing joint pain and can make your feet more susceptible to common foot problems such as heel pain, arch pain and plantar fasciitis.
If you’re a person with flat feet, then you should wear shoes that have greater stability and arch support that helps you achieve proper balance on your feet.
Invest in a better shoe
Wearing the wrong shoes can worsen the existing pain that you are already experiencing. You may also develop pain such as arthritis in your hips, knees, ankles or feet. Wearing the wrong shoes for a little while can cause unwanted stress and pain to your bones, joints and the soft tissues that support your leg.
Additionally, you may suffer unwanted injuries if the shoes you’re wearing are not designed for the activity that you’re doing such as wearing sneakers for your workout session instead of appropriate sports shoes.
To have healthy feet, invest in a good pair of shoes that suits your foot type. Try to avoid buying shoes from online stores, as you may not know the accurate shoe fit. It is always better to go to the shop and try on the shoes to ensure that your feet feel comfortable in it.
Make sure it fits!
Choosing the right footwear can help keep your feet healthy. Remember, the right shoes can reduce or eliminate your foot pain. An absence of pain has a huge impact on how well and easily you move around.
It’s always better to seek advice from a professional if you’re still unsure about your foot type and shoes that are suitable for your feet. With the advice from an expert, you will be able to understand more about your foot type and identify what features you should look for when purchasing shoes.
Sidebar: Top tip when choosing shoes
- Make sure the shoes you choose has at least one centimeter of space from your toes to the end of the shoe.
- You should be able to freely wiggle all of your toes.
- Walk and run a little. You should feel comfortable immediately.
- Do not buy shoes based on the size only. Purchase the one that fits the best.