Don’t let anyone say you have to break them in before they feel
good — the best shoes for you are the ones that feel good right away.
Even though you may develop the reputation of being a nuisance at
your shoe store, your body will benefit. While many salespeople are
aware of how to find the right shoe size, many are not.
For those who have a significant difference of more than a half-
size between their two feet, fit the larger foot.
Many women fit and function better in men’s sports shoes than in
women’s. The first rule, though, is that the shoe must fit properly.
Some women don’t fit into men’s shoes, and some stores don’t carry
men’s shoes in sizes that are small enough.
You may not find the right shoe in the first store you visit. Most
outlets carry only a few of the many shoes in the marketplace. Often,
shoes from mail-order outlets cost less. But be prepared to ship them
back if they don’t fit just right.
Remember, manufacturers design new shoes based on trends of
style, color and fancy gimmicks to market the shoe. That’s why shoe
styles come and go. If you find the shoe that fits perfectly, buy sever-
al pairs. Just be sure to try them all on, since the same shoe style may
vary in size.
Some patients I worked with bought larger shoes after their ini-
tial problem was diagnosed, only to find that their feet kept getting
larger. At some point in time, they ended up with an increase of a full
size or more. I have occasionally seen increases of two-and-a-half
sizes over a two-year period in adults!
This situation is especially a concern for kids, whose feet always
seem to be growing. When in doubt, get new shoes. Too expensive?
Don’t be afraid to buy some of the inexpensive shoes on the market.
The $15 models wear just as long as the fancy ones for $150.
Unfortunately, once kids see enough shoe commercials on TV, they
may only want the expensive brands.
Actually, children should go barefoot as much as possible. When
shoes are necessary for children, find them the best-fitting, thinnest
shoes with the least support. And that goes for grown-ups too —
don’t be afraid to spend as much time as possible barefoot. It not only
helps to correct existing problems, but also prevents common foot
problems seen in many older people.
232 • IN FITNESS AND IN HEALTH