These Shoes Were Meant for Shopping

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It’s that time of year! The ads are flying fast and furious for holiday shopping. At Texas Foot Specialists, we want our patients to get the bargains without sacrificing the health of their feet. Your best weapon against shopper burnout due to foot pain is a good pair of shoes. Below are some tips for choosing the right pair for those long days at the mall:

  • Wear shoes that are comfortable but not worn out. Sometimes your old “tried and trues” feel roomy and comfy because they’re stretched out. Shoes that are past their prime can be a tripping hazard, or be so loose that they cause blisters when you’re doing lots of walking.

  • Check the inside of your shoe to make sure there is no loose stitching or rough patches. If you have a bunion, ganglion cyst or other foot condition or deformity, make sure that no seams or other part of the shoe are pressing on the painful area.

  • If one of our podiatrists, Dr. Gregory Mangum or Dr. Bruce Miller, has prescribed a custom orthotic device, be sure to wear it in your shoes on shopping day.

  • Go light. Shoes with heavy soles can tire your feet out.

  • Don’t wear high-heeled shoes or boots.

  • For a more secure fit, choose shoes with laces over slip-ons. 

  • Shoes made of a soft, flexible material and those that allow feet to breathe are likely to be the most comfortable.

  • A cushioned insole and shock-absorbing soles will result in less foot soreness after a long day of standing and walking. 

  • Be sure the pair you choose is the right size. They should have a roomy toe box and a snug, but not tight, heel counter.

It’s also a good idea to carry a small piece of moleskin with you in case you start to feel a sore spot on your foot. Applying the moleskin can prevent a painful blister from forming. If, despite your best efforts at choosing the right shoes, your feet are in serious pain after your shopping trip, contact our Pasadena (281) 991-0600, Sugar Land (281) 242-4448 or Houston (713) 664-6677 office for an appointment to get your feet evaluated.