Tips to Buy the Right Footwear

If you have ever explored ancient Spanish cave drawings which are more than 15,000 years old, then attires and footwear of those carvings must have drawn your attention.  In the primitive age, animal skins or furs were used as feet coverings which gradually changed to footwear stuffed with straw. Thus, it can be said the evolution of footwear remains quite an interesting one.

Present day shoes can be considered engineering wonders as new materials and techniques are used to stylishly protect and support the feet. Discussed below are some helpful tips to buy the right footwear for different categories.

Buying a Child’s Shoes

The tender feet demand the very best footwear. Ideally a child’s shoe should be made of soft material and have adequate cushioning of the insole. It is even better if the shoe has firm heel counter, a built-in arch and enough flexibility to bend at the ball of the foot. The kid should feel comfortable wiggling his toes inside the shoe. Make him walk for few minutes wearing the new shoe and sock. Monitor closely. If you sense any irregularity in his walking then immediately opt for a different pair.

Selecting Appropriate Woman’s Shoe

This is a tough task indeed, considering a woman’s penchant for fashionable, high-heeled footwear. Most often she sacrifices foot comfort and safety to pick up high-heels or fashionable flip-flops. According to podiatrists, such footwear is medically unsafe and can cause postural and other safety problems. Those who just can’t do without their trendy high-heels can surely try to limit its time of wear and alternate it with good quality flats or sneakers. Another wise idea is to shift to comfortable yet trendy pumps for workplaces.

Foot experts opine that the best woman’s footwear for regular use is walking shoe with laces, preferably with polymerized sole. If you are desperate to wear heels then opt for wider ones with firm and cushioned heel counter. The heel height should not be more than three-quarters of an inch.

Searching for Men’s Footwear

Now that the footwear segment is styled, men don’t mind flaunting fashionable boots, trainers or sleepers. However, till date, the Oxford style remains a man’s favorite. Wing-tip or cap toe men’s shoe designs are the most common. Then, for non-formal occasions many prefer to shift to comfortable slip-ons, smart loafers and low dress boots.

There are many whose job pattern demands standing or walking at a stretch. They would feel comfortable picking up shoes with cushioned soles. Another piece of advice for men is that they should try to earmark at least three to five pairs of boot or general loafers for everyday work purpose.

Purchasing Athletic shoes

This purchase should be done carefully. Pick up pairs based on specific sports activities. A good idea is to consult any reliable sports footwear store or a podiatrist for right selection of sports shoes. Further, make sure to discard the shoe beyond its useful life.

From above discussion, it is evident that your foot health depends on buying right kind of footwear. So, do it carefully. If needed, consult a foot specialist for necessary guidance.