35.FOOTWEAR BUSINESS

Shoes that don't fit correctly can cause plenty of problems. Shoes that are too narrow squeeze the toes together, leading to corns and even inflamed nerves (called neuromas). Shoes that are too short compress the toes and the bones in your feet. Those that don't provide enough support can cause heel spurs and plantar fasciitisWearing ill fitting or poorly designed shoes can lead to knee pain, hip pain, back and neck pain, and the worsening of disease related conditions. The most common problem? -- Plain old tired feet. Your feet are the foundation of your entire body. If you don't give them the support they need you will feel discomfort throughout your entire body.

Have both feet measured, as you stand, every time you buy shoes. Allow 3/8" to 1/2" room between the end of the longest toe and the end of the shoe; your foot continues to move forward inside the shoe even when the ground stops the shoe from moving. (By the way, the most common mis-fits are shoes that are too short. When you walk, your foot lengthens inside the shoe. That's why shoes that seem to fit just fine when you're standing in them or test-walking in a store, turn out to be toe-crunchers when you really start walking in them. From standing still to walking, you need up to a half-inch extra room in front of your longest toe).

The bed of the shoe should cradle the foot, providing support at all the correct points. Some good shoes are designed with anatomically correct footbeds to support your foot. If you have orthotics, however, our staff is trained to fit them into our shoes. If you don't have orthotics we may recommend an over-the-counter arch support that fits your foot better than the footbed that comes with the shoe. This is one way we customize the shoe to your foot.The size your foot measures is your foot size, not your shoe size. The shoe size may be different; each brand, style and pattern fits differently. Judge each shoe by how it fits.

The environment inside your shoe also plays a large part in how your shoes feel and how good they are for your feet.Stick your hand into a pair of shoes and feel around. You shouldn't feel anything that will stick into your feet, such as thick seams, wrinkles, or ridges. The lining should be smooth and soft. A padded tongue will allow you to tighten your laces without putting unnecessary pressure on your instep. Padding along the top edge of the shoe adds to the comfort in your ankle area, too.Some shoes, such as athletic shoes, cannot have full leather uppers. In those cases it is especially important to make sure you are wearing socks that will help wick moisture away from your feet.