Footwear & Foot Health — Why It Matters

Healthy feet start with the shoes you wear every day. Footwear isn’t just a fashion choice — it’s a fundamental part of maintaining comfort, preventing pain and injury, and supporting your overall mobility throughout life.

How Footwear Affects Your Feet

• Protection: Shoes shield your feet from bumps, cuts, cold, heat, uneven surfaces and everyday hazards.
• Support & Alignment: The right shoe helps distribute your body weight evenly and supports natural foot mechanics, reducing strain on joints from the feet all the way up to your knees and back. source
• Cushioning & Shock Absorption: Good footwear reduces impact on your feet when walking or standing for long periods, protecting soft tissues and joints. source
• Stability: Properly fitted shoes help prevent slips, trips and balance issues, especially important as we age. source
• Foot Problem Prevention: Ill-fitting or unsuitable footwear can contribute to corns, calluses, blisters, ingrown nails, bunions and chronic pain. source

Choosing Shoes That Support Your Foot Health

Here are key features to look for when selecting everyday footwear:

• Proper Fit: Your toes should have space to wiggle, with approximately a thumb’s width between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. source
• Wide & Deep Toe Box: Avoid narrow, pointy shoes that squeeze the toes — this helps prevent pressure and painful deformities. source
• Secure Fastening: Laces, straps or adjustable closures help hold the shoe comfortably in place. source
• Cushioned Sole: A sole with good grip and moderate cushioning absorbs shock and improves comfort. source
• Firm Heel Support: A supportive heel counter improves stability and reduces excessive foot movement inside the shoe.
• Breathable Materials: Natural or technical breathable materials help reduce moisture and the risk of fungal skin or nail infections. source

Activity-Specific Footwear

Your footwear should match what you’re doing:

• Everyday Walking & Standing: Lightweight walking shoes or trainers with good support help reduce fatigue.
• Work & Safety Shoes: Choose footwear with appropriate protection, grip and support for your environment (e.g., slip-resistant soles at work).
• Sports & Exercise: Activity-specific shoes (running, dance, court sports) are designed to support the particular movements involved. source

Signs Your Footwear May Be Causing Problems

If you notice any of the following, your shoes might not be right for you:

• Persistent foot pain or soreness after walking.
• Balls of feet or heel pain.
• Blisters, calluses or red pressure spots.
• Numbness, tingling or aching in feet or legs.
• Changes in posture or discomfort in knees, hips or back.

When to Seek Professional Footwear Advice

Sometimes, off-the-shelf shoes aren’t enough — especially if you have foot deformities, ongoing pain, diabetes or other conditions. A podiatrist can:

• Assess your foot mechanics and footwear needs.
• Recommend footwear that fits your anatomy and lifestyle.
• Provide bespoke orthotic inserts that enhance support and correct gait abnormalities.

Takeaway

Good footwear is an investment in your foot health. It protects, supports and enhances your comfort daily. Choosing the right shoe — and replacing old or worn-out footwear regularly — can prevent many common foot problems and help you stay active and pain-free.

For personalised advice or a gait/footwear assessment, book an MSK appointment with our podiatrist Michael Abrahams today or a General Initial Appointment for more ‘general’ advice.