Athletic shoe selection can be a daunting task when you consider the wide range of shoes available. Choices include shoes for specific sports, flat feet, high arched feet and, lastly, personal style and preference play a role in shoe selection. With all these choices, consider how many times you have tried on four pairs of shoes to narrow it down to two and then find yourself practically flipping a coin to decide which shoe to purchase. This is an especially difficult choice if you are trying to keep up with the latest advancements in shoe technology. Trying to distinguish which advances may be more related to fashion rather than function or represent an advancement in style rather than support for the foot is challenging. There are several basic guidelines you can follow when choosing the best shoe for you. Half of the challenge in choosing the proper shoe starts with understanding the differences between commonly held myths and the facts. Myth #1: Shoes with the greatest cushioning will
be the most supportive and more likely prevent injury. This thought is more myth than rule. This myth can be distracting when deciding which of the newest air, gel or coil cushioning advancements will provide the best support for your foot. You may find yourself with the following question: Shoe (A) fits a little better than shoe (B), however shoe (B) has the newest cushioning technology, which shoe is best for my foot? The truth is that most shoes demonstrate a range of cushioning properties. Studies of runners suggest that although extremes of shoe cushioning (exceptionally hard or exceptionally soft shoes) can affect foot pressures while running, most runners unconsciously adjust their gait to adjust to a shoes cushioning. Hence the overall impact of running on the foot varies less with cushioning systems than one might expect. The take-home message: dont sacrifice proper shoe fitting for the latest cushioning technology. Select the shoe
that fits the best. The deciding factor in choosing between a shoe that fits really well and one that seems to merely feel o.k. should not be the shoe cushioning technology. There is no substitute for a shoe that fits properly for your foot type and accommodates toe deformities such as bunions, hammertoes and other prominences. Myth #2: All I need to know is my shoe
size to select a proper shoe. Selecting a shoe based on your measured
shoe size is the first, but not the only step for selecting the proper shoe. Always be sure to measure your foot size before each shoe purchase. Ones foot size can changeover time with advancing age and certain medical
conditions. Your measured shoe size should guide but not pre-determine shoe selection because measured shoe sizes do not take into account subtle differences in shoe shape that vary among shoe brands and affect fitting.
Differences between two shoes of the same size can occur because
not all shoes are made from the same model of the foot. A last is a model of a foot that a shoe is made from. There are several styles of last, that include straight, curved, and semicurved lasts. Differences among last styles can make a significant difference in how a shoe fits, especially if you have an exceptionally flat or high arched foot. The takehome point is: always try on a shoe before purchasing this point is particularly relevant when purchasing
shoes by catalog or via the internet; be sure you have an option to return the shoes if they do not fit appropriately. Of particular note, if you are purchasing a shoe for a specific sport or activity, always try the shoe on with the sockwear and orthotic you intend to wear with that activity. The thickness of a heavy sock or orthotic can affect how a shoe fits. The added thickness may
make a well fit shoe too tight and promote injury. It is not uncommon for an individual to have to wear a shoe size that is a half size larger or wider when an orthotic is worn. Myth #3: There should be a thumbs distance between
the tip of your big toe and the end of your shoe to make sure you have a properly sized shoe. A thumbs distance between your big toe and the tip of
the shoe is generally recommended for most people to make sure you have a shoe that does not cramp your toes. But what if your second toe is longer than the big toe? In a small percentage of the population, the second
toe is the longest toe and if you are one of those individuals, you should use your second toe to check whether a shoe is long enough for your foot. Wearing shoes that are too short contributes to ingrown nail injuries and can promote toe deformities.
be the most supportive and more likely prevent injury. This thought is more myth than rule. This myth can be distracting when deciding which of the newest air, gel or coil cushioning advancements will provide the best support for your foot. You may find yourself with the following question: Shoe (A) fits a little better than shoe (B), however shoe (B) has the newest cushioning technology, which shoe is best for my foot? The truth is that most shoes demonstrate a range of cushioning properties. Studies of runners suggest that although extremes of shoe cushioning (exceptionally hard or exceptionally soft shoes) can affect foot pressures while running, most runners unconsciously adjust their gait to adjust to a shoes cushioning. Hence the overall impact of running on the foot varies less with cushioning systems than one might expect. The take-home message: dont sacrifice proper shoe fitting for the latest cushioning technology. Select the shoe
that fits the best. The deciding factor in choosing between a shoe that fits really well and one that seems to merely feel o.k. should not be the shoe cushioning technology. There is no substitute for a shoe that fits properly for your foot type and accommodates toe deformities such as bunions, hammertoes and other prominences. Myth #2: All I need to know is my shoe
size to select a proper shoe. Selecting a shoe based on your measured
shoe size is the first, but not the only step for selecting the proper shoe. Always be sure to measure your foot size before each shoe purchase. Ones foot size can changeover time with advancing age and certain medical
conditions. Your measured shoe size should guide but not pre-determine shoe selection because measured shoe sizes do not take into account subtle differences in shoe shape that vary among shoe brands and affect fitting.
Differences between two shoes of the same size can occur because
not all shoes are made from the same model of the foot. A last is a model of a foot that a shoe is made from. There are several styles of last, that include straight, curved, and semicurved lasts. Differences among last styles can make a significant difference in how a shoe fits, especially if you have an exceptionally flat or high arched foot. The takehome point is: always try on a shoe before purchasing this point is particularly relevant when purchasing
shoes by catalog or via the internet; be sure you have an option to return the shoes if they do not fit appropriately. Of particular note, if you are purchasing a shoe for a specific sport or activity, always try the shoe on with the sockwear and orthotic you intend to wear with that activity. The thickness of a heavy sock or orthotic can affect how a shoe fits. The added thickness may
make a well fit shoe too tight and promote injury. It is not uncommon for an individual to have to wear a shoe size that is a half size larger or wider when an orthotic is worn. Myth #3: There should be a thumbs distance between
the tip of your big toe and the end of your shoe to make sure you have a properly sized shoe. A thumbs distance between your big toe and the tip of
the shoe is generally recommended for most people to make sure you have a shoe that does not cramp your toes. But what if your second toe is longer than the big toe? In a small percentage of the population, the second
toe is the longest toe and if you are one of those individuals, you should use your second toe to check whether a shoe is long enough for your foot. Wearing shoes that are too short contributes to ingrown nail injuries and can promote toe deformities.
SHARE
