If the shoe fits, continued
Shoe Shopping Guidelines
There are many things to consider when choosing the best-suited shoes for fit and the circumstance:
- Have both feet measured every time you
purchase shoes. Your foot size increases as
you get older.
- Try on new shoes at the end of the day.
Your feet normally swell and become
larger after standing or sitting during
the day.
- Make sure your shoes are fitted to your
heel and your toes. Try on both shoes,
and make sure there is a half-inch space
from the end of your longest toe to the
front of each shoe.
- If one of your feet is considerably larger
than the other, add an insole to the shoe
on the smaller foot.
- When the shoe is on your foot, you
should be able to wiggle all toes freely. If
the shoes feel too tight, don’t buy them.
There is no such thing as a “break-in”
period.
- If you participate in a sport three or more times a week, you need a sports- specific shoe.
- Try on athletic shoes after a workout at
the end of the day. Your feet will be at
their largest.
- Wear the same type of sock you wear for
that sport.
- When the shoe is on your foot, you
should be able to wiggle all toes freely.
- The shoes should be comfortable as soon
as you try them on. Again, there is no
break-in period.
- Walk or run a few steps in your shoes.
They should be comfortable.
- Always re-lace the shoes you are trying
on. Begin at the farthest eyelets and apply
even pressure in a crisscross lacing
pattern to the top of the shoe.
- If you have foot orthotics, make sure you have them in the shoes you are trying on; they will dramatically alter the fit of your shoe.
Walk the walk
If you’re already experiencing regular foot or ankle pain, your doctor or therapist may recommend any of a variety of effective
treatments. Most injuries are initially treated with the RICE method — rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Moderate
and severe injuries often require some form of immobilization or protection with either a cast or splint. Strengthening
exercises may be recommended in some cases, while other conditions may require surgery.
While there is no sure way to prevent all injuries, risk can significantly be reduced by participating in a conditioning program to build muscle strength (make sure to warm up before taking part in a sport or exercise program), improving agility (exercises that help improve your balance), performing stretching exercises to maintain range of motion specific to your activity, listening to your body (never run if you experience pain in the foot or ankle, for instance), replacing athletic shoes as soon as the tread or heel wears out, and wearing properly fitting athletic, dress, and casual shoes.