Shoes are more than just a fashion accessory; they play a vital role in supporting and protecting our feet during our activities of daily living. There isn’t one shoe that is perfect for everyone. Everyone’s feet are different in shape and size so it is important you look at different styles to accommodate your particular foot shape.

People who have suffered an injury to their foot or have a medical condition such as arthritis or diabetes may require shoes with extra width or depth. These may need to be prescribed by a podiatrist.

Some important tips for buying shoes:

• Your toes should not touch the end of the shoes when standing – leave a 1cm gap from the longest toe
• Shoes should be comfortable straight away, so don’t buy shoes that need “breaking in”
• The height of the heel should be less than 2.5cm otherwise there is too much pressure of the ball of the foot and your falls risk is higher
• Shoes should have a well-padded sole to act as a shock absorber and reduce the risk of injury
• Shoes that have breathable material reduced the risk of fungal infections.
• Buy shoes later in the day – feet tend to swell during the day so it is best to fit shoes when feet are at their largest.

For more information regarding the importance of footwear see the Articles section of our website.