What To Look For in a Shoe

Here are some tips to help reduce the risk of foot problems. Use this guide when you shop for shoes:

• Avoid shoes that have seams over areas of pain, such as a bunion.
• Avoid shoes with heavy rubber soles that curl over the top of the toe area (such as seen on some running shoes), as they can catch on carpets and cause an accidental fall.
• Flat shoes (with a heel height of one inch or less) are the healthiest shoes for your feet. If you must wear a high heel, keep to a heel height of two inches or less, limit them to three hours at a time and take them off coming to and from an activity.
• Laced, rather than slip-on shoes, provide a more secure fit and can accommodate insoles, orthotic devices and braces.
• Look for soles that are shock absorbing and skid resistant, such as rubber rather than smooth leather.
• The shoe should be made of a soft material that has some give, like glove leathers.