How to Pick Out the Best Walking Shoes
San Antonio is a beautiful place to go for a stroll—with the world-famous San Antonio River Walk, beautifully preserved Spanish missions, and plenty of other attractions, there’s plenty to do and see.
Are you wearing the right walking shoes, though? Okay, it seems like a silly question, but the style and quality of your shoes can have a big effect on keeping your feet happy and healthy. Bad footwear can lead to sore feet that tire out faster, and in some cases cause more significant problems such as blisters and calluses, or even bunions or hammertoes.
The most important aspect of a walking shoe is fit. Shoes that are too tight or too lose can pinch toes together, jostle uncomfortably, or create painful points of friction or pressure. The ideal shoe should be “snug” but not tight, one that can be worn comfortably but stays in place and won’t slide around on your foot, and with plenty of room for toes to wiggle freely.
It’s better to shop for shoes later in the day than early in the morning. Why? Your feet actually swell a little bit over the course of the day, and you want to your shoes to fit your feet when they’re at their largest.
Measure your feet every time you shop for shoes. Just because you’re a size 8 today doesn’t mean you’ll still be a size 8 the next time you need new shoes. Your left and right feet may not be exactly the same size, either, so make sure you try on both shoes and pick a size that accommodates the larger foot.
Although all shoes will gradually conform more and more to your foot shape over time, walking shoes should not ever require “breaking in.” They should be comfortable to walk in from the first moment you put them on. If they aren’t, then they don’t fit, period.
If you’re experiencing foot pain, call Darren Silvester at Next Step Foot & Ankle. In addition to providing treatment for your condition, we can also coach you on how to pick the right style of shoe for your foot shape, whether you over- or under-pronate, have high or low arches, or any other mechanical issue that needs consideration. To schedule an appointment at our Pleasanton, TX office, contact us using our online form, or call 830-569-3338.
