Shopping for shoes can be a favourite pastime, a dreaded trip to the department store, or even a form of retail therapy. Whatever the reason is that causes you to be in the position of purchasing a new pair of shoes, it’s important that you know how to choose a pair that fit properly. A chiropodist in London from Beauchamp Foot Care offers a number of factors to consider when trying on shoes and why it’s important to find the right fit for your feet.

Do you remember when you used to go into the shoe department of a store, pick out a pair you liked, and the sharply dressed, friendly shoe salesperson would ask you to have a seat in the comfortable chair? Then he or she would proceed to take out the shoe measuring scale and measure your foot to make sure you were fitted with the correct size. The salesperson would even take off your current shoes, slip on the new shoes, tie or buckle them, feel where your toe was hitting, and ask you to walk to see how the fit looked.

While this is still the case in some places, this kind of shoe shopping experience doesn’t occur as often anymore, which is causing many people to choose footwear that doesn’t fit their feet correctly. The most important thing to remember is to pay close attention to the way the shoe feels on your foot and not the way it looks. As a chiropodist in London, we understand and approve of the importance of wearing fashionable shoes, but not at the expense of hurting your feet. So, here are some tips to make sure your feet are first and foremost comfortable.

Shop for shoes in the afternoon

It’s best to shop for shoes in the late afternoon or evening. This is due to the fact that your feet tend to swell during the day because of an increase in the day’s temperature and because you have been walking on them during the day. Also note that your feet tend to expand slightly when you are standing, so if you do have the benefit of getting your foot measured, make sure it is being done while you are standing up.

Try on a variety of shapes and sizes

Different shoes styles will fit your feet differently. Make sure you try on a few different styles and sizes relating to the types of shoes you are shopping for. For example, if you are shopping for boots, consider trying on a pair half a size larger than your normal size if you think you’ll be wearing thick socks with them. Some brands of shoes may cause you to wear a smaller or larger size as well and the type of material the shoes are made out of can be a factor too. A chiropodist in London recommends keeping about half a thumbnail’s distance between the end of your longest toe and the end of the shoe. Less than that the shoe is probably too small, and more than that the shoe is probably too big.

Select a shoe with good support

The shoes you choose should provide cushioning to help absorb the shock that occurs on the foot bones and foot muscles each time you take a step. Good support is essential at the arch of the foot, on the ball of the foot, and the heel. Also don’t assume that you will “break in” the pair of shoes you buy. Many times a chiropodist in London will see patients who complain of foot pain and it’s often just because they purchased a shoe made out of material they thought would stretch.

Remember, when selecting proper footwear, comfort is key. If you have any questions about selecting the proper shoes, or other foot conditions, please contact a chiropodist in London at Beauchamp Foot Care.

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