Did you know that the average adult in the United States of America owns 19 pairs of shoes? Getting new shoes is always exciting, especially if you have a strong purpose in mind for your new kicks. The different types of shoes and the color options allow you to find the shoes that mirror your personality to perfection.
The process of buying new shoes might seem straightforward and simple, but there are steps that you should take to ensure that you get your money’s worth and put your best foot forward. Luckily, you’re in the perfect place to learn all about the best tips for buying shoes no matter your needs.
Keep reading to learn how to choose shoes that will keep your feet happy and healthy today!
1. Firm Foundation
When you start shopping for new shoes you need to target the types of shoes that offer a firm foundation. Think of your shoes and your feet as the foundation of your body. If your feet don’t have the support that they need then the rest of your body will pay the price.
Shoes with a soft or unsupportive base will result in you having worse balance compared to more supportive options. You can test how supportive the foundation of the shoes is by bending it at the toe. Shoes that bend in half with ease will not provide you with the level of support that your body needs.
2. Choose Laces
The convenience of slip-on shoes and shoes that lack laces are quite appealing to many consumers. You need to avoid shoes that don’t have laces because they won’t offer you the same level of support around the whole of your foot.
The laces allow the shoes to hold your feet in place when you’re on the move, while shoes that slide on and off don’t provide that same feature. It’s especially important if you plan to be on the move quite often throughout the day.
Your feet will also lack protection from the elements if you choose to go with shoes that don’t provide laces. Most slip-on shoes are open, making it easy for water, snow, and cold temperatures to reach your socks and skin.
3. Find Arch Support
Most people find that they need an ample amount of arch support from their shoes in order to get a comfortable shoe that is easy to wear throughout the day. Some of the most popular shoes out on the market feature flat, rubber soles that provide zero arch support to your feet.
Walking on a flat sole all day is one of the biggest causes of foot pain. If you’ve experienced this issue in the past with shoes like Vans, Converse All-Stars, and barefoot shoes then it’s a good idea to consider getting athletic shoes that offer the support that your arches require.
Shoes with arches built in are more effective than shoes with inserts. When you’re ready to start buying new shoes you’ll want to eliminate the options that don’t provide arch support.
4. Find Shoes for Your Foot Type
Not all feet are created the same, and it’s important that you’re shopping for shoes that will cater to the different features of your feet. Even if friends and family members recommend a shoe to you it’s still best to consider what shoes have worked well for you in the past.
The number one thing that you should look for is a shoe that is comfortable when you wear it. If you prefer shopping for shoes online and decide to shop here then it’s a wise move to try shoes on at a brick-and-mortar location ahead of time.
Many people make the mistake of purchasing shoes online prior to trying them on. Even if you can return them for free, it’s best to try them on and take some steps with them on your feet before choosing to spend your money on them.
5. Shop in the Afternoon
The timing is important when you start shopping for new shoes since your feet change sizes as the day goes on. Your foot will be a completely different size at 8 in the morning compared to your foot size at 8 that night. Always try on shoes in the afternoon in order to get an accurate idea of comfort and fit.
The goal of getting the best new shoes is to find shoes that reflect your personality and that provide great comfort. Shopping in the afternoon is the best way to get an accurate fit.
6. Watch for Seams
Seams don’t seem like they’d be a hotspot for issues with your feet, but they tend to cause the most irritation for your feet when you’re walking or running. If you plan on buying new shoes then you need to look at where the seams are on the shoes and where those spots line up on your feet.
Seams could also cause health issues for your feet like the formation of bunions or hammer toes. It’s always better to be safe than sorry for your health.
7. Find the Right Size
Another important thing to consider when you start looking for new shoes is the fact that sizes aren’t consistent from one manufacturer to the next. This is especially true if you’re purchasing shoes from a European brand.
You might wear size 11s with Nike only to discover that you’re actually an 11.5 in Adidas shoes. Using online reviews is a great way to find out if a pair of shoes runs large or small. You can save yourself a lot of pain and frustration by reading online reviews and trying shoes on before making a purchase.
Find the Perfect New Shoes for Your Feet
Picking out new shoes seems like a simple process on the surface, but the wrong shoes could cause health issues and discomfort that you’ll deal with throughout the day. Make sure that you start shoe shopping in the afternoon to get an accurate fit, and watch for seams that could cause hotspots. Most of all, get a feel for whether the shoe runs large, small, or true to size.
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