Footwear

Importance of Good Fitting Footwear

• Footwear plays an important role in offering support to your feet
• Footwear also helps to protect your feet
• Footwear that is ill fitting can lead to bunions, corns, calluses, hammertoes, foot pain, ankle pain, knee pain, back pain
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What to look for

Shape:

• Adequate width and depth in the toe box to prevent pressure and allow toes to move
• Pointy shoes can cause bunion development and ‘claw’ or ‘hammer’ toes
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Length:

• There should be about a thumbs width space from the end of your longest toe to the end of the shoe
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Material:

• Leather is strong and durable and best for the shoe upper
• Synthetics and rubber are stronger and more durable for the sole of the shoe. They provide better grip
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Fastening:

• Laces, straps or buckles are necessary to secure the shoes to your feet
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Heel Counter:

• The back of the shoe should be strong and firm and not prone to collapsing
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Heel Height:

• Heel height should not be greater than 2.5cm. Heels higher than this lead to excessive pressure on the ball of the foot and can lead to spinal problems
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Sole:

• The sole of the shoe should only bend or flex across the ball of the foot
• There should be minimal twist through the middle of the shoe
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Advice for Shopping for the Right Shoe

• Go for shoe fitting at the end of the day as your feet may swell and become larger through the day
• Have both feet measured
  - Most people have one foot bigger than the other – fit the shoe to your largest foot
  - Your foot may change shape and size as you age
• Sizes can vary markedly between brands so rely on the fit not the marked size of a shoe
• Make sure the shoe is firm not tight
• Make sure you can wriggle your toes freely in the shoe
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At Mooroolbark Podiatry we can give you advice on the most appropriate shoes dependent on your foot shape, foot conditions or the sport or activity that you want to participate in

We are stockists for

• Revere Shoes
• Vionic Shoes
• Scholls Footwear

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Some of our preferred shoe supplies are

• Active Feet
• Athlete’s Foot
• Greenwood Shoes
• Gilmours
• Comfort and Fit