The kind of footwear you choose has long-term consequences on the overall health of your feet. We give you handy tips for the correct kind of footwear you need to invest in.
In the picture: Beyonce performs onstage at the World Music Awards, held at the Sporting Club on November 9, 2008 in Monte Carlo, Monaco. (Pic courtesy: Gettyimages).
Diabetic foot specialist, Dr Jessy Thomas' take: Feet are vulnerable to repetitive application of high pressure during walking, standing and other daily activities. Therefore, the most important thing for foot protection is to ensure your footwear reduces the overall amount of vertical pressure or shock on the plantar surface (sole) of the foot.
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Flat is fab!
In the picture: A detail of the shoes worn by singer Rihanna at the 2008 American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre LA LIVE on November 23, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Pic courtesy: Gettyimages).
Perizad Deboo, Administration Manager at Highlight Films, Mumbai, says: I walk and travel a lot and feel that flat shoes are more comfortable. In addition, I wear closed shoes as the city is extremely polluted and filled with dirt that can seep into my feet. So, my footwear needs to be comfortable and provide maximum protection for my feet.
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Friction or no friction
In the picture: Janet Jackson promotes her new album '20 Years Old' at a press conference at the Peninsula Chicago August 02, 2006 in Chicago, Illinois. (Pic courtesy: Gettyimages).
Dr Thomas' take: Just because your footwear is flat, it doesn't necessarily mean it offers optimum protection. When you put shoes on, your feet move horizontally and vertically inside the confines of your shoes and this can lead to skin shear, causing build-up of callosities and can even cause discomfort and pain due to excessive heat developed because of the friction. Therefore, whether flat or not, you need to wear shoes that can absorb heat instead of adding to it.
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Mesh it up
In the picture: Paris Hilton arrives at a special screening of the Lionsgate film, 'Repo! The Genetic Opera' at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino November 6, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Pic courtesy: Gettyimages).
Abhishek Gouda, fashion consultant with Nine West, Mumbai advises: The best way to reduce excessive heat is to wear shoes that have a nylon mesh for the insole. Another advantage of wearing shoes with this material is that these shoes are lighter than regular shoes so you're not carrying around added weight either.
When you walk or run, your feet carries three times the weight of your body and wearing shoes that are not shock or pressure absorbent can have ill-effect on your back and knee. That is why most sports brands have developed a technology where shoes are manufactured using shock absorbent material.
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Heed to the heel
In the picture: Shoes worn by a model showcasing fashion designs during the Chadstone Fashion Stakes Heats at The Age Caulfield Guineas Day, the first day of the Caulfield Spring Racing Carnival at Caulfield Racecourse on October 11, 2008 in Melbourne, Australia. (Pic courtesy: Gettyimages).
Dr Thomas' take: The heel and the forefoot are most susceptible to injury as these points are affected the most when the foot is placed and lifted off the ground -- the heel when the foot makes contact with the floor and the forefoot when it is lifted off the floor. Therefore, regularly checking the insole for wear and tear is a wise idea.
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In-sole!
In the picture: Actress Gwyneth Paltrow's shoes as she arrives at the Two Lovers Paris Premiere on November 4, 2008 in Paris, France. (Pic courtesy: Gettyimages).
Dr Thomas' take: Changing the insole of your shoes before it wears out is necessary to ensure your feet are not being subject to any kind of friction. Wear shoes that provide adequate support to the arches of your feet as this will evenly spread the force exerted to the sole. In addition, wear socks with sneakers or closed shoes and moisturise your feet regularly to keep the skin soft.
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Flat-footers
In the picture: A detail of the shoes worn by singer Queen Latifah at the 2008 American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE on November 23, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Pic courtesy: Gettyimages).
Abhishek Gouda's take: If you have flat feet, you should avoid wearing shoes with high arches, like the one in the picture above.
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Dr Thomas' footcare nuggets:
- Corns are not formed by inappropriate footwear. However, wearing the right kind of shoes after primary treatment for corns can reduce the recurrence.
- Calluses are built up due to improper footwear, especially in older people and individuals with feet deformities.
- Wearing the wrong shoes as per the requirement of your feet can also be harmful. For example, if a person with broad feet wears narrow footwear for prolonged periods of time, it can lead to crowding of the toes, fungal infections and ingrown toenails.
- Similarly, wearing shoes that allow too much movement of the foot inside the shoes can lead to calluses and also cause pain in the feet.
- Depending on your feet, pick appropriate footwear. Measure your feet from heel to toe; good footwear should accommodate the widest part of the foot. This is determined by the arch length. People with flat feet require footwear that has good medial arch support.
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What to remember, while buying shoes:
a) Measure both feet in terms of length and width.
b) Keep in mind that shoe sizes are not standard; they vary with brand and style.
c) The widest part of the shoe should match the widest part of your foot.
d) There should be a ½ inch gap between the end of the shoe and the longest toe.
e) In a closed shoe, there should be 2mm space between the foot and the shoe; after wearing socks and along the borders of the foot.
f) Buy shoes with soft insoles. These days there are even special shoes made by several brands that are specifically designed for shock absorption.
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