Ever wondered why it’s so difficult to find footwear that perfectly fits you? As it turns out, there are a lot of factors to consider when buying one (yes, style is not the most important thing).
When buying footwear, comfort should be your first priority because it immediately affects your general well-being (and, frankly, your mood) and may have long-term repercussions on your health. Remember that your shoes must make you feel good on their first wear, you might feel a little different because they’re new, of course, but they shouldn’t cause you unusual pain or discomfort.
According to the Foot and Ankle Specialists of Nevada, wearing shoes that don’t fit properly may cause neuropathy. “Neuropathy is a condition in which the feet will feel numb. This ailment is painful and sometimes irreversible. Another side effect of wearing ill-fitting shoes is foot deformity. These may include hammer toes, corns, and calluses.”
The following are the probable reasons why your shoes don’t fit comfortably:
1. Wrong Size: While knowing your default size is helpful, it’s important to note that sometimes sizes may vary depending on the brand of the shoes. When buying in-store, make sure to walk around for a few minutes with the shoes to check if they’re a good fit. Meanwhile, when buying online, always check the size guide and make the necessary measurements before checking out.
2. Not considering Foot Shape: Feet, just like the rest of our body, can change over time too, primarily due to weight adjustments and aging. This affects our foot shape which includes but is not limited to wide, narrow, high/low arch, flat, and neutral. Your shoes must cater to the shape of your foot comfortably. Usually, salesmen know which shape is best for the brand of footwear that they’re selling, so don’t be shy and reach out to them.
3. Poor Quality of Materials Used: Let’s be honest, expensive shoes don’t always use the best quality of materials. With this, your shoes may break or wear out easily, which isn’t cost-efficient, and due to their poor quality, the shape or structure of the shoe may not hold for very long.
4. Bad Shoe Design: Not all shoes are created equal, meaning some brands may not prioritize comfort when designing one. Lots of brands nowadays have no cushioning or arch support, which are crucial to providing comfort. Hence, before buying one, make sure to do your research on the brand and read reviews from other people.
One tip: buy new footwear at a later time in the day! Why? Well, apparently, our feet swell throughout the day, meaning they become wider as we use them during the day! When you buy a new one before noontime, chances are you’ll find them tight as you use them.
So remember, when buying shoes, it’s essential to prioritize comfort to ensure you maintain healthy, happy feet and overall well-being. To ensure you get the greatest possible fit and health, take into account factors such as arch support, cushioning, optimum fit, and the purpose for which you plan to wear the shoes. Style comes next, so make sure you do your research before investing in new footwear, having comfortable AND fashionable footwear should be the new trend!
