If you’re new to buying orthotic footwear – these tips will go a long way to helping.
- Paying more for shoes doesn’t necessarily guarantee greater comfort. You may find that shoes that fall somewhere in the middle in terms of their price are better suited to the shape of your foot. Instead of focusing on how much a particular pair of shoes costs, focus on how comfortable they are to wear.
- If you are an orthotic user, you need to choose shoes that have enough depth for both your foot and the orthotic to fit inside. Bring your orthotics with you when you go shoe shopping so that you can try them on together or try the Ortho Shop for great fitting shoes to suit you.
- Don’t rely on the size of the shoe to determine whether or not it fits. Sizing can vary significantly between different manufacturers. Instead, think of the size as a general guideline or a starting point. Try on a pair in your normal size and then determine if you need to go larger or smaller to get the best fit.
- When shopping, try on several different pairs of shoes so that you can get a better idea of how each style or brand fits. Avoid going overboard, however. If you try on too many shoes, it can get confusing, making it harder to decide which ones to buy.
- If you are like most people, you probably have one foot that is slightly bigger than the other. When deciding what size shoes to buy, look for a pair that is large enough to fit the biggest foot. A good rule of thumb is to leave a space about the width of your finger between the end of the shoe and the tip of your toe. A properly-fitted pair of shoes should fit closely around the back and arch of the foot while still allowing your toes to move around.
- Look for shoes that have a similar shape to the natural shape of your foot. Before putting the shoe on, hold the bottom of it up to the bottom of your foot to make sure that it is wide enough. Shoes typically only stretch in terms of their width – not their length. Never buy shoes that aren’t long enough for your feet. Otherwise, they can wind up causing everything from blisters to damaged toenails.
- If you have low or flat arches, choose shoes that have inner pieces for stability and hard heel counters. If you have high arches and stiff ankles, on the other hand, shoes with plenty of cushioning will help you avoid injuring yourself when your foot strikes the ground. The shoes should be slightly curved in the arch area to ensure that there is adequate support for the middle of your foot and the arch.
