Uncomfortable and harmful shoes: all about heels, insoles and pads

The height of the heels or wedges, the presence of an insole and an orthopedic insole, the material of the product and the thickness of the sole - you should pay a lot of attention to these points when choosing everyday "helpers" for your feet. When buying shoes, you should take into account your age, weight, foot characteristics and even lifestyle. Yes, the wrong pad will deform the foot, and poorly glued shoes will start to let water through. All this is not only unpleasant, but also harmful to health.

Size matters

It is better to try on shoes in the evening, when the feet are slightly swollen. If you wear shoes that are not the right size, you can be at risk not only for calluses, but also for impaired blood circulation, foot deformity and development of flat feet, growth on the heel bone, deformity of the toes and even damage to the nails. It is important to choose the shoe size so that it is not too big. If you choose shoes that "slap", the load on the joints may increase, the muscles will be in constant tension, and the heel will be "stuffed" all the time.

In that case, if you correctly choose the size of the shoe in terms of fullness, the shoes will fit tightly along the bunion line (the volume of the foot in its widest part) without a feeling of compression in this area. When choosing shoes, it's still better to try them on, because you can't count on climbing. Thus, knowing only the size of the foot is not enough. Keep in mind that sizes may vary slightly from manufacturer to manufacturer. If you buy shoes in absentia, at least measure the length of the insole and determine the fullness.

We choose shoes

Shoes should not squeeze the leg and cause discomfort. The best heel is 2-4 centimeters. Wearing high heels risks arthritis and arthrosis, problems with the back and leg muscles. A thin pin does not give support to the legs. If you are not used to walking in heels, then be prepared for back pain and muscle tension after half an hour of wearing such shoes. But thick heels provide good foot support, stability and balance. Especially if the shoes have a comfortable pad. Narrow "toes" of shoes can disrupt blood circulation, cause ingrown nails and deformities of the feet, as well as the formation of voids in the nails.

Natural and reliable

Specialists recommend choosing shoes made of natural materials that will allow your feet to breathe. Shoes made of genuine leather, nubuck, suede, textiles are recommended. Artificial materials will cause increased sweating, which can turn into an unpleasant smell. If you still buy shoes made of artificial materials, at least the lining of the shoe should be natural. Ideally, the insole should absorb unpleasant odors, remove moisture, and kill bacteria. Choose shoes with a fairly flexible sole. In high-quality shoes, the sole bends easily, it has insoles. The main thing in winter boots is the sole. It should be thick enough and not slip. Well-glued and stitched shoes will be a guarantee that they will not get wet.

The best summer shoes

The most comfortable summer shoes are flat-soled. But it can cause flat feet, changes in the Achilles tendon, and curvature of the toes. Therefore, ballet flats are not intended for constant wear. Like rubber flip-flops. Wearing them all the time is harmful: the foot does not keep its shape and "blurs", which can lead to flat feet.

But open sandals with high heels can cause varicose veins. The disease appears due to impaired blood circulation. When wearing a heel, the center of gravity shifts, blood flows to the lower extremities with interruptions. It is better to choose sandals closed at the back so that the foot is tightly fixed. The worst shoes for summer are heels without backs. When walking, it is held exclusively on the toes, so the calf muscles are constantly tense.

Children's orthopedic shoes are recommended for children up to 4-5 years old. It is different: with an orthopedic insole, a special beveled heel, a hard back. In no case should a child wear shoes "for height", as well as an undersized one. When the foot is still forming and growing, do not buy your child shoes that do not have heels at all and do not fix the foot.

Flexible sole, hard heel, lightness - signs of high-quality sports shoes. It must be natural and "breathable". There are different special shoes for different sports. However, sneakers are considered the most comfortable shoes for everyday life. They are now preferred, combining even with suits and evening dresses. Fashion becomes comfortable and safe for health.

But the best home slippers for any season are shoes made of natural soft leather with a small heel and a natural insole. Soft slippers or "grandmother's shoes" do not contribute to good foot posture.

So, don't get lost in a huge assortment of shoes, choosing only high-quality and useful ones. Unfortunately, cheap shoes are unlikely to be of high quality.