It doesn’t feel the greatest when you step on something hard or hot with your bare feet, which is why shoes are so invaluable. However, if your shoes don’t feel well, they aren’t worth much to you. Ill-fitting shoes can do just as much harm to your feet as 100-degree asphalt, as they place your feet in some very awkward positions, which can eventually lead to damage and injury.
Unfortunately, most people don’t wear shoes that are properly fitted to their feet. In fact, research shows that 90 percent of women wear shoes that fit too tight.
So, how exactly can you tell if you are wearing shoes that aren’t right for your feet? Well, here are five signs:
#1: You’re Still Wearing the Shoes You Wore in High School.
As you get older, your arch will fall. As a result, your feet will begin to spread, which causes you to start needing a size or two larger in shoes as you age. So, it is very important that you have your feet measured once a year to ensure that you are still wearing properly-fitting shoes.
#2: Your Toes Are at the Tip of Your Shoes.
While you don’t want to wear shoes that are too big, you also want to make sure that you have a little wiggle room for your toes. Many people do not realize it, but your feet will swell throughout the course of the day. So, while your shoes may fit perfectly in the morning, they may fit too snugly in the afternoon. The best way to ensure that you are getting shoes that won’t fit too tight at the end of the day is to shop for shoes in the evening when your feet have already swelled.
#3: You Have Calluses, Blisters or Bruised Toenails.
These types of injuries are signs that your shoes are not fitting properly and that they are rubbing your feet. Your shoes may be too narrow or too tight in certain arrows. This type of pressure can affect your joints or harden your skin, which can lead to painful bunions, corns and/or ingrown toenails. Your shows can either be stretched or you can simply purchase a pair with more room for your feet.
#4: Your Arches Hurt at Night.
If your shoes lack adequate support, or they are too big, then the muscles located on the bottom of your foot are going to tighten each time you take a step in order to keep your arch up. This is a natural reflex done to keep your shoe from slipping or sliding. Unfortunately, it can result in an overuse injury, including plantar fasciitis, which will leave the tendon along the very bottom of your foot chronically inflamed.
#5: Your Shoes Are Old.
The longer you wear your shoes, the less support that they will have. This is particularly true if you walk or run a lot. For example, if you walk or run 10 miles per week, then it is suggested that you buy new shoes every nine to 12 months. If you log 20 miles a week, then you are looking at new shoes every four to six months. Aside from the amount of usage, there are other indications that you need new shoes, including that your shoes are visibly creased or that they fall to one side when they are set on a flat surface.
