Choosing the Right Shoe:
Shoes are worn to protect one's feet and prevent injury. But in order to do so, they must fit well. Poorly fitted shoes--shoes that are too narrow, too short or too large--can cause discomfort, injury and even permanent deformity. Most peiople would only look for the style while choosing the shoe, but it is also important that the fit should be considered while selecting the shoe. Right fit shoe go a long way to put you back in steps.
Configuration of Shoe:
A shoe is composed of following different parts:
The toe box is the tip of the shoe that provides space for the toes. The toe box may be rounded or pointed and will determine the amount of space provided for the toes.
The vamp is the upper middle part of the shoe where the laces are commonly placed. Sometimes Velcro is used instead of laces.
The sole consists of an insole and an outsole. The insole is inside the shoe; the outsole contacts the ground. The softer the sole, the greater the shoe's ability to absorb shock.
The heel is the bottom part of the rear of the shoe that provides elevation. The higher the heel, the greater the pressure on the front of the foot.
The last is the part of the shoe that curves in slightly near the arch of the foot to conform to the average foot shape. This curve enables you to tell the right shoe from the left. On occasion. an orthopaedic surgeon may prescribe a child's shoe that has a straight or reverse last.
The material from which the shoe is made can affect fit and comfort. Softer materials decrease the amount of pressure the shoe places on the foot. Stiff materials can cause blisters. A counter may be used to stiffen the material around the heel and give support to the foot.
What are things you should consider while choosing a shoe?
The shoes you buy should be fitted to your longer and wider foot. Although the toe box should be spacious, too much space can cause the feet to slide around in the shoes, possibly causing blisters or abrasions.
Shoes should be fitted carefully to your heel as well as your toes. Check to make sure your heel does not slip out of the back of the shoe. Walk around in the shoes to make sure they fit well and feel comfortable. Don't select a shoe by size alone. A size 10 in one brand or style may be smaller or larger than the same size in another brand or style. Buy the shoe that fits well. Select a shoe that conforms as closely as possible to the shape of your foot. Have your feet measured regularly. Their size may change as you grow older. If the shoes feel too tight. don't buy them. There is no such thing as a "break-in period." With time, a foot may push or stretch a shoe to fit. But this can cause foot pain and damage. Because your feet may vary in size, ask the salesperson to measure the length and width of each of your feet. Your feet expand when bearing weight, so stand while your feet are being measured. Because swelling during the course of the day can enlarge your feet, have your feet measured at the end of the day. If one of your feet is considerably larger than the other, an insole can be added to the shoe on the smaller foot. Fashionable shoes can be comfortable, too.