Sins of shoes and how to avoid them

Every person who has hobbled around after making a poor shoe choice knows that this is absolutely true! A great pair of shoes can make you feel like a million bucks while bad shoes can quickly ruin your night (or even your feet!). 

From your Rs. 200 flip-flops to your Rs.3000 heels, not all shoes are created equal- no matter the price or the brand. If you’ve ever peeled off your heels during a long day at work or taken off your tennis shoes after a long run only to find blisters or an ingrown toenail, you know your shoes can lead to pain if you’re not careful.

Improper footwear can stress the back, knees, hips, and feet by placing them in an unnatural position and cause improper alignment and function of joints, tendons, and ligaments up to the body. Muscles in the lower and upper legs may have to work harder when shoes do not fit properly, and this causes fatigue and pain. Wearing proper footwear can not only help prevent foot pain but can also be good for your body. Like many things in life, your shoe choice matters.
And if you hit the pot of treasure while digging into this vast void of options by finding a shoe that fits then buy it in every color, haha!

Never measuring your feet: When was the last time you measured your feet before buying a pair of shoes? Buying shoes without understanding your foot measurements is a common mistake people make. This small extra step can not only assure you that the shoe would fit and be comfortable but also reduce the hassle of returns. With age, your arches fall, and gravity and weight stretch ligaments, so your foot can widen and lengthen. Get them sized every time you shop, or at least once a year. One foot often is larger than the other, so measure both and try on the pair. And be sure to stand. Your full weight expands your feet. You can easily measure your foot at home. It is important to note that there is no universal shoe size standard. Shoe sizes may be different from manufacturer to manufacturer, so it’s pretty convenient to know the length of your foot in centimeters and to check out the trademark’s size chart before buying shoes.

    Following are the steps on How to measure your foot correctly. 

    You will need an A4 paper, a pen, and a ruler. 

    • STEP 1: Put your foot on the piece of paper.
    • STEP 2: Holding your pen vertically, put a dot where your heel ends and where your longest toe ends.
    • STEP 3: Measure the distance between the two dots with your ruler.
    • STEP 4: Determine the length of your foot. Measure in centimeters.
    • STEP 5: Do the same thing with your other foot.
    • STEP 6: Find your size in the chart below. Sometimes, both feet have slightly different lengths. In this case, choose the shoe size according to the larger foot (for example, if your left foot’s size is 38 and your right foot’s size is 37.5, choose the larger size).
    1. Not referring to the size chart of the brand:
       So-called size differs across shoe styles and brands. Trace the shape of your foot before you go shopping. If a shoe that catches your eye doesn’t fit your outline or your measurement then move on. Shopping for shoes online can be a problem so here  are Tips to help you choose the correct shoe size when shopping online:

    2. Foot length:
       It is especially important to measure the length of your foot. Knowing how long your foot is in centimeters, you can easily find the manufacturer’s size chart which will make it much easier for you to order your shoes in the right size.

    3. The shape of the shoe and your foot:
       It’s extremely important to pay attention to the footwear model you choose. Shoes with a pointed nose should be chosen a size larger because the model itself is a bit smaller. If your instep is high, choose shoes with the zipper on the side, the front, or on part of the heel. If your foot is especially wide, we recommend avoiding pointed shoes or shoes with a seam at the widest part of your foot.

    4. Half sizes:
      Sometimes, people have half-sized feet. If this is the case for you, choose shoes from trademarks that feature half sizes in their size chart.

    5. Seasonality:
       Pay attention to the seasonality. During the summer, the feet are often swollen and sometimes larger. So, we recommend that you always measure your foot before purchasing footwear online. If you’re looking for warm winter footwear with fur, choose a larger size because a squeezed foot gets cold much faster.

    6.  Wearing a pair for far too long/ worn-out footwear:
       They may be your favorite but shoes you bought 5,10,15 years ago are doing more harm than good. Many of us only throw our shoes out when the sole is worn down or a heel falls off but waiting this long can be a pain. Wearing worn-out shoes can lead to pain. This is because worn-out shoes lack the padding and support needed to protect our feet from damage. Worn outsoles of shoes from foot striking patterns can lead to unnatural methods of walking. Depending on your usage and activity and the type of shoes you are wearing, you should consider replacing them between 6 to 12 months. If you really love your shoes, consider resolving them. 

    7. Wearing the wrong size:
       Like mentioned before, as we age, our feet tend to lengthen and shoe sizes go up. This happens as tendons and ligaments stretch out and lose elasticity. Certain weight fluctuations and medical conditions can cause changes to shoe sizes as well. As a result, a lot of people end up wearing larger shoe sizes later in life. It is important to make sure your shoes have enough room to allow natural feet swelling and allow room so your toes don’t hit the end of the shoes – which can damage toenails irreversibly. 

    8. Walking around barefoot:
       We live in India, and it is a given to take off the shoes you wear out of the house, and rightly so. This doesn’t mean you can’t have another pair to wear in the house. Standing barefoot on surfaces like tile and hardwood floors can put undue stress on your feet causing or making pain worse over time. Walking for long periods of time without padding and support, especially on hard surfaces can lead to injuries. Walking barefoot around the house puts your feet at risk for stepping on sharp objects, stubbing toes, and injuring toenails since they are not protected. Wearing shoes inside the house also keeps them softer. One should definitely purchase shoes just for indoor use to protect their feet.
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