Sore feet and you don’t know which shoe to choose?
Shoes are much more than just a fashion accessory. They represent
The essential criteria for choosing the best shoe for your feet
In this article, we will present you with the essential criteria to consider when buying your next shoes. These simple tips will help you:
- Prevent foot pain
- Relieve the pain currently present
- Promote better posture
- Avoiding long-term injuries
- Adapt your shoes to the particularities of your feet (e.g., bunions, hammertoes, flat feet)
🎥 In this informative video, Dr. Émile Carrier, podiatrist at Médecine podiatrique du Plateau in Gatineau, explains in detail the essential criteria to look out for when choosing a shoe that suits your needs. With real-life examples and simple-to-apply tips, he helps you make a wise choice — to walk, work, or simply live pain-free. If you prefer to read our podiatrist’s recommendations, you will find a summary below.
The 6 things to check before buying a pair of shoes
Here are the 6 criteria to watch carefully to make sure your shoes are right for your foot and lifestyle:
1. A stiff sole in the center
Take the shoe in your hands and try to fold it in the center. A good shoe
2. A slightly raised heel
Contrary to what you might think, a completely flat shoe is not ideal. It is best to have a slight difference in altitude between the front and back of the foot (about 1 cm), which helps to reduce tension in the Achilles tendon and reduce plantar tension.
3. A rigid heel counter
The heel counter is the part that surrounds the back of the heel. Pressing it with your fingers should feel that it is firm and rigid. This helps to keep your heel in place and prevent it from slipping or deforming in the shoe, which can contribute to better stability.
4. A removable insole
Lift the insole: is it glued or removable? It is highly recommended that this insole can be removed. Why? Because it allows you to:
- Check if the shoe is long and deep enough for your toes
- Add a custom foot orthotic, if needed
- Ensure a better overall fit
- Inspect the quality of the insole.
5. Compatibility with the shape of your feet
A good shoe should fit the length, width, and depth of your foot. It should not cause pressure on the toes or create friction. If you have problems like a bunion (hallux valgus) or hammer toes, look for models with a wider, deeper , and soft toe, which leave enough space.
6. Try on your shoes… in the afternoon!
Many people don’t know it, but your feet naturally swell as the day goes on. Trying them on in the morning means risking choosing a pair that is too tight. Shop at the end of the day for a realistic and comfortable fit, especially if you wear your shoes all day.
Now you know the key elements to make a wise and healthy choice when buying your next shoes. A good shoe can prevent a lot of pain and even improve your quality of life.
Use this cheat sheet image to help you inspect your current shoes and choose the best pair. You can also use them to buy the best pair of shoes to help you.
If your pain is high, increases or does not respond to the basic treatment with good shoes, we strongly suggest that you use the service of one of the podiatrists on our team. Thanks to state-of-the-art tools such as digital radiography, targeted musculoskeletal ultrasound of the feet and ankles, gait analysis and plantar pressure analysis with high-tech instruments, we will arrive at an accurate diagnosis paving the way for the most targeted treatments, of which we offer a wide range directly in the clinic: exercises, tapings, therapeutic laser, radial shock wave treatment, cortisone and hyaluronic acid injections, custom foot orthotics and much more.
Contact us by phone at 819-800-1212 or fill out the appointment request form.
We will be happy to welcome you as a member of the family to assess your problem, do the required tests, present you with the different possible treatments and explain everything to you in accessible language.
