Buying
& Wearing Shoes
Tips for
adults and children
Become informed
Footwear specialists recommend that
shoppers discuss size, fit, and
material with store sales personnel
to become better informed. Your
shoe size is not a static measurement
– sizes vary with style and
manufacturer.
Getting
the right fit
| •
|
Have your feet
measured while standing. It
is a good idea to shop for shoes
after you have been on your
feet for a few hours. Even healthy,
normal, feet tend to swell slightly
during the day |
| •
|
Shoe experts and podiatrists
advise having both feet measured,
since feet are seldom precisely
the same size. Always buy for
the larger foot |
| •
|
Beware of shoes which need a
‘break-in’ period
– proper shoes should be
comfortable immediately. Have
both shoes fitted and then take
a good walk around the store |
| •
|
Select shoes that provide good
comfortable fit and
which give you a psychological
lift. Podiatrists feel
the feet, classic examples of
durability and grace, can look
good too |
Purchase with
function in mind
The shoe industry provides styling versatility
for everyone – men, women and
children. You should select footwear
based on its appropriateness, both in
appearance, support, and comfort. A
good rule of thumb: buy footwear for
function – for work, leisure time,
or special activities.
For work:
Working men and women should earmark
at least three pairs of shoes for
business hours. People who spend most
of their working day on their feet
should wear cushioned-soled shoes.
Workers in heavy industry should always
wear shoes with toe protection.
For play:
For casual wear, men and women can
choose from a wide variety of casual
slip-on and tied shoe and boot styles
as well as a wide variety of sport
shoes and boots.
For walking:
Support is critical, and a lightweight,
tie shoe is recommended. Specialists
also advise that you look for cushioned
heels and soles for bounce on hard
surfaces and traction on slippery
ones.
For children:
Though fit is the most important consideration
in children’s shoes, function
applies here, too. For every day,
crepe or rubber-soled shoes help cushion
impact on growing feet better than
dressier shoes with thinner soles.
Buckled and tied shoes stay on the
foot well and are best for active,
daily wear.
A child’s shoe size should be
measured regularly.
Measure children’s feet as follows:
| •
|
Up to 6 years Every
2-3 months |
| •
|
6 – 10 years Every 3-4
months |
| •
|
10-12 years Every 4 months |
| •
|
12-15 years Every 5 months |
| •
|
16 years + Every 6 months |
Look for shoes that are straight-laced,
have a firm, rigid heel counter and
flex at the toe.
Make sure there is room for the child
to wiggle his or her toes, that the
heel isn’t slipping out of the
shoe and that there is at least 1⁄2
inch from the tip of the child’s
toe to the end of the shoe.
Taking care
of your shoes
Once you have a shoe that fits and flatters,
you have to maintain it. Specialists
recommend that you make it a habit to
examine your shoes every time you put
them on, for comfort, health reasons,
and appearance.
First, look for signs of wear. If
the heel lifts are low, you are ‘down
at heel' and asking for trouble. Run-down
heels put uneven pressure on your
heel bone which supports 25% of your
body weight, and adds to uneven walking
patterns which can translate to pains
throughout the body.
Thin and worn soles provide little protection
from the shocks of hard surfaces and
put unnecessary strains on the metatarsal
joints.
|
