From Fashion to Fitness: which shoes are good for your feet?

Learn about the best shoes for your feet and the styles to avoid to prevent common foot ailments.

When it comes to our feet, too often we choose a shoe that looks great, but doesn’t often feel great. This can lead to not only foot pain, but a variety of other foot problems that can really affect how you live your life on a daily basis.

With the average American taking around 5,000 steps each day, it’s critical that you choose your shoes wisely. While those cute heels may look great when you’re wearing them, your feet will likely be telling you otherwise in a short amount of time.

Shoes that are comfortable and stylish

We’ve put together a number of shoes that span all styles, and will not only make your feet look great, but they’ll be comfortable after a long day on your feet as well.

Tennis shoes

Athletic shoes typically offer significant support, but keep in mind that all shoes have a lifespan. Because sneakers are typically made from softer shoe material, they usually have a life span of around 6 months or 500 miles. If your tennis shoes become worn out they could begin to cause pain and ultimately injury.

Wedge heels

We understand that there are times where you need to dress up and wear heels. Unfortunately, high-heeled stilettos are notoriously bad for your feet. It’s much better to instead wear a slight wedged heel with between a ½ – 1.5 inch wedge. This smaller angle provides much better balance and support for your feet.

Prescription orthotics

If you have chronic foot pain, a specialized shoe called orthotics can help to treat issues caused by abnormal motion or painful foot conditions. Talk with a podiatrist to determine if you’re a good candidate for orthotics. While orthotics used to look large and clunky, styles have improved significantly in the past few years allowing those with foot pain to have relief without sacrificing style.

Shoes to avoid

High heels

Stiletto heels that measure 3-4 inches can change the alignment of your body and put extra stress on your hips, legs and back. Wearing high heels for long periods of time can cause the Achilles tendon to shorten and actually make it painful to wear flat shoes.

Flip flops

Most flip flops provide very little support, and lack of foot support can lead to Achilles tendinitis and plantar fasciitis. Thong flip flops can also cause hammertoe as the toes are constantly struggling to hold the foot in the shoe.

Ballet flats

Ballet flats may be thought of as relatively harmless, but this is actually not the case. These flats offer little support and have no arch system to absorb any of the pressure that your feet are under when walking.

Need some assistance choosing the proper shoes?

If you’re unsure of which shoes work best for your feet based on any foot ailments, feel free to get in touch with the office of Dr. Nina Coletta. We’ll be happy to determine what shoes will work best for you based on any foot pain you may be experiencing. To make an appointment give us a call at 954-425-4590 or fill out our online contact form.