Protecting your feet part 1

I always thought a running shoe was a running shoe – what’s the difference? Because I’m “thrifty”, I would go to the local five and dime to purchase a pair of athletic sneakers for the gym because I wasn’t about to spend $200 for a shoe that was really no different than a $40 pair. All I needed to find was a size 8 that wasn’t gaudy and matched my workout clothes. Years later, when I took up marathon running, I learned rather quickly that buying a pair of shoes involves more than just hunting and haggling for a good deal on a pretty pair of sneakers.

Your feet are an important part of your anatomy. They support all of your weight when standing and help you move from point a to point b. They take the brunt of the impact from that movement. We owe it to our feet to look after them. So, when searching for shoes for work or play, don’t sacrifice comfort and protection for fashion or a cheap deal. Otherwise, you could end up with sore feet, blisters, corns, or more serious foot problems such as bunions, malformations of the toes, or arthritis.

This is a three-parter blog on feet. Today, I’ll leave you with some pointers when shopping for shoes – part two and three will discuss foot injury prevention in the workplace followed by a piece on general foot care.

When shopping for shoes:

1.  Quality is number one – the heel should be gripped firmly by the shoe and flat. There should be a fastening over the instep and it’s best to choose shoes with porous uppers (not vinyl or other synthetics that are non-porous). Make sure there is proper arch support.

2.  Ladies, pointed, high heels are not a good choice if you’re on your feet all day. If you must, save these for evenings out.

3.  Try on shoes in the late afternoon when your feet are swollen – then you know you’ll be comfortable all day.

4.  When you pick a pair, make sure they fit the bigger foot.

5.  Are the shoes a little snug? Then don’t buy them. They will not stretch out after a few days like a pair of jeans.

Catch you tomorrow. Be nice to your feet!