10 Apr 3 Things to Look for in a Shoe

 

We get so many questions about what you should look for in your next pair of shoes.

 

Which Brand should I get?

What Type of shoe should I get? Running, Cross Training, Walking?

How much Cushioning should it have?

 

Oh … and they have to look cute.

 

While the last request lies in the eye of the beholder, we want to share with you the 3 main boxes that are important to check off before you make your next purchase.

 

Is it W i d e Enough?

 

We understand that our shoes have to be long enough. They also have to be wide enough. Believe it or not, your toes don’t have to settle being squished together for the hours of the day you are shod. Confining your toes to tight fitting shoes are the primary reasons for the development of bunions, which is the outward tilting of the big toe.

 

The big toe is a major stabilizer and balancer of our whole body. When it drifts toward the pinky toes, it narrows our base of support and leaves us more vulnerable to the side to side wobbles which can lead to foot pain, knee pain and hip pain. #everythingisconnected

 

To check if the shoe is wide enough, simply remove the insole from the shoe to make sure it fits all the toes. Bonus points if you have a little extra room to spread the toes or fit things like toe spacers (more on toe spacers at another time).

 

Is it Flexible Enough?

 

The foot is an intricate puzzle. Alone it is made up of 26 bones and 33 joints. This design allows 

our feet (and ankles) to mold to the different shapes, contours, tilts and textures we walk, run and jump on. 

 

This is why it’s called the mobile adapter. It has the natural ability to twist, bend and contort. These motions are also known as pronation and supination. Pronation has been known to have a bad reputation, when the truth is that it is a normal and functional thing that you are permitted to allow.

 

Appropriately, your next pair of shoes should be able to act the same way. So you want to check that the shoe can bend and twist as if you were wringing out a towel. There are several shoes on the market that have anti-twisting plates and restrict the foot from doing its natural thing.

Is it Flat Enough?

 

To understand this more, we have to expand on what pronation and supination is.

 

When the foot pronates, the arches flatten. When the foot supinates, the arches lift. We have to allow the arches of the feet to flatten AND lift repeatedly.

 

There are a total of 29 muscles in the foot that relax to allow the arch to absorb and flatten on impact and contract to lift the arch in order to create the most amount of force to move and support us. Oftentimes, those muscles are undertrained mainly because we have been accustomed to shoes with arches, shoe inserts or orthotics that leave those muscles with a false sense of security. But more importantly, it leaves those muscles with a false sense of function or purpose. #heavy 

 

Wearing shoes that are “flat” re-creates the necessity of the foot to act like a foot.

 

So look for a shoe that has very little to no arch support in it.

 

Just a Foot Note

 

We’ve all heard the mother of invention is necessity. The only thing is, you already had this invention at your disposal when you first learned to walk as a baby. Then as we got older many factors and decisions unknowingly led to a decrease in the performance & function of our feet – footwear choices based on fashion, the latest sneaker trends like chunky soled or thicker heeled shoes, a recommendation from a friend that orthotics or inserts helped them. The good news is, we are more than capable to re-create what was once there and now you know better. 

 

Take your time to gradually increase what you do in your new shoes the same way you would if you wanted to lift heavier weight or run a marathon. It’ll take time and consistency before you can lift heavier weights or run farther and longer. And it’ll take time and consistency to develop the foot health you deserve. 

 

Hopefully, this post has been able to help you make better decisions the next time you buy a pair of shoes. And as always, keep it real. 

 

We believe in you. 

 

Our favorite shoe brands:

-Vivobarefoot- https://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/ 

-Altra- https://www.altrarunning.com

If you have any questions about our favorite brands or want to learn more about how to take care of your feet, give us a call at (516) 421-6353 or email us at [email protected]!