Introduction
Tips on how to choose the right shoes:
How to choose the right shoes for your children:
It is very important to choose shoes that are suitable for you so that they will protect you while you walk, run and do other forms of activities
First, let us look at shoes that are unsuitable for anybody:
Shoes that are too big, too hard, too small, with high heels or pointed boxes are the main causes of pain in the toes, soles and heels. Although such shoes will not cause deformity of the toes, they will cause pain to the toes or metatarsals. Foot deformities may be the result of rheumatoid arthritis affecting the tarsal, metatarsal or phalangeal joints or other diseases that affect the neurology or circulation of the lower limbs.
Pointed shoes are fashionable but their shapes do not match the natural shape of the feet and toes. High heels cause the toes to be squeezed into a small shoe box, causing localised pressure points and eventually callus and corn formation.
Shoes should have:
Wide, round and soft shoe boxes.
Heel cushions to absorb stress and shock.
Heels not exceeding 1 inch.
Size that fits.
Recent studies have shown that women prefer to wear shoes that are too small. This could easily lead to foot pain while walking.
1. Different brands of shoes have different cutting and sizes even if they have the same sizing system. When buying shoes, do not just go with the labeled shoe size but try them on to see if they are comfortable.
2. Choose shoes with the right shoe boxes to match the shape of the feet.
3. Measure your feet regularly as the size might change over time.
4. There might be some slight difference in sizes between your left and right foot. Choose shoes that will fit the larger foot.
5. When buying shoes, go in the evening because that is when your feet are the largest in the course of a day.
6. When trying out shoes, do so while standing, as the feet would be slightly longer when standing. The length should be the distance between the longest toe and the heel plus the width of a finger (about 1.3cm).
7. The shoe box should be wide enough to accommodate the widest part of the foot.
8. If the shoes do not fit your feet, do not buy them. Do not expect the shoes to stretch out or mould to your feet in the future.
9. The back of the shoes should be comfortable but not leave too much empty space behind the heels, otherwise the shoes will slide off easily and scratch the skin of the heels.
10. Before leaving the shoe shop, try walking in the new shoes to feel if they are comfortable and suitable.
1. Choose shoes that have enough room for all the toes. Shoes that are too small will impede the development of the feet.
2. Do not buy shoes that are too large, thinking that your children will “grow into them”. Shoes that are too large will affect their walking.
3. Shoes should be soft enough for the feet to move about freely.
4. The soles should be relatively flat, with heels that are not too high.
5. The upper portion of the shoes should be made of leather or fabrics that facilitate ventilation.
6. The shoes themselves should be light-weight to reduce the amount of energy used while walking.
7. The back of the shoes should fit the heels snuggly so that when your children are running, the shoes will not fall off.
8. If you are purchasing shoes for your children to do sports in for a long period of time, such as long-distance running, or sports that involve a lot of jumping, make sure you add a suitably thick insole to help absorb some of the shock and to reduce chances of injury.
Dr. NGAI, Wai-kit