How to Choose Comfortable Shoes for Foot Pain

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Foot pain is extremely common with almost 8 out of 10 Americans having experienced it at some point in their lives. The number one way to take care of your feet is to invest in proper footwear like men’s and women’s supportive sneakers. Doing this will keep your feet from feeling constant fatigue and diminish the risk of chronic foot pain. 

Most Common Causes of Foot Pain

• Plantar Fasciitis

• Bunions

• Blisters

• Diabetic Neuropathy

• Heel spur

• Stone bruise

• Corns and calluses

• Acute Injury

Top Tips for Shoe Shopping

When looking to buy a new pair of shoes, there are certain factors that you should keep in mind. Throw out your high heels and flip flops and look for shoes that are designed to support your feet and keep you from getting injured. Here are our top tips for choosing a new pair of shoes.

1. Go Shoe Shopping After Work 

During the day, your feet swell from standing and walking around. If you go shoe shopping in the morning, your shoes won’t be able to accommodate this swelling and will become uncomfortably tight as the day goes on. This could lead to foot problems, which is why it’s important to go shoe shopping at the end of the day when your feet are at their largest size.

2. Choose High-Quality Shoes with Flexible Materials

Before you make a beeline for the sale rack, remember that the health of your feet is priceless and trying to save money on footwear will likely only cost you more money down the line. Instead, look for high-quality shoes that are made with real leather, durable canvas, or wool. They should be soft and flexible so that they don’t cause issues like bunions, blisters, or corns.

3. Size Up if You Have Different Sized Feet

If your feet are not exactly the same size, size up to fit the larger foot. For your smaller foot, you can always add in a thicker insole that will take up the extra space.

4. Look for a Heel Height of Under Two Inches

High heels may look great, but they are terrible for feet. Do yourself a favor and only buy shoes with a heel height of less than two inches. A short block heel is preferable to a stiletto style as it more evenly distributes your weight.

5. Opt for a Wide Toe Box

A narrow, pointed shoe is more likely to cause you problems than a wide toe box, which leaves plenty of room for your toes. Particularly if you start to notice that you have bunions forming, it’s important to get rid of any shoes that squeeze the toes into a point formation as this puts pressure on your big toe joint.

6. Try Shoes on with the Socks You Will Wear with Them

Socks can take up more space than you realize, so make sure you bring a pair with you to the shoe store when trying on womens or mens comfortable sneakers or boots. The thin footies they give you won’t be nearly the same thickness as a pair of socks and might mess up your sizing.

7. Walk Around to Test Out Your Shoes

After you’ve tried your shoes on, do a thorough walk around the store. Do the shoes slip off your heels? Do they feel just right or are they too tight? It’s a myth that all shoes need to be broken in; look for shoes that feel comfortable from the moment you try them on. 

8. Check for Orthotic Insoles or Add Your Own

Shoes that are designed for foot problems should come with supportive insoles built in. However, if your shoes don’t have orthotic level insoles, it’s important to add some in so that your feet get the cushioning they need. You can get these at your podiatrist’s office or order them online.

The Best Shoes For Foot Pain

While it’s great to try your shoes on in person at the store, you can also order shoes online and return them if they don’t fit well. Here are some easy-to-order shoes that are great for foot pain.

Best Shoes for Walking

If you are on your feet a lot, try a pair of walking shoes like Taos Plim Soul, which are made with a thick platform to allow more room for cushioning. These are the most comfortable walking shoes you’ll ever own. 

Best Shoes for Running

There’s nothing more frustrating than not being able to run because you have foot pain. Solve your issues with a supportive pair of sneakers like Taos Star, which are designed with removable polyurethane footbeds for extra support. The lace up canvas sneakers can be adjusted to fit your foot and come in a range of colors and patterns to match your personal style.

Best Low Heels 

It’s not necessary to give up heels entirely if you have foot pain, you just need to find ones that are supportive and not too tall. Try a pair of Mary Janes like Taos Balance and you’ll never go back to your old heels.

Best Boots for Winter

You need boots to be warm, but also supportive because you don’t want your feet to hold you back from all the fun winter activities. Taos has boots to fit the bill, from fashion-forward Crave boots to cozy Cutie boots.

Best Slippers for Inside the House

Don’t forget that the shoes you wear at home matter, too. Going barefoot around the house puts your feet at risk of injury, plus you don’t have any arch support. Try a pair of indoor outdoor wool clogs like Woolderness 2 to keep your feet snug as bug when you’re at home.

Preventative foot care is well worth the effort, particularly as you age. If you consistently wear the right type of footwear and rest your feet after a long day, you’ll ward off most foot pain. Supportive footwear protects against chronic foot problems like plantar fasciitis as well as being more protective to stop acute injuries. If you do suffer from ongoing foot pain, it’s always a good idea to consult a podiatrist for a tailored approach to getting back on your feet.