Shoe Checklist

• Shoes should bend where the toes bend, therefore making it work with your foot.
• Shoes should be made of soft leather and have a heel height of 1 1/2 inches or less.
• Shoes should be broad and deep in the toe area - custom molded or extra depth shoes may be advisable
• Shoes should be shaped to correspond with the shape of the foot.
• Shoes should be broken in gradually, in order to avoid painful blisters, etc.
• If feet are insensitive, use fingers to check for proper fit or have a foot care specialist assess.
• Seams and straps on shoes should be placed to avoid pressure areas.
• Feet tend to swell in the afternoon, a second pair of shoes may be necessary.
• Dress shoes should not be used when taking long walks.
• Shoes that are larger or smaller than your feet should be avoided.
• Slippers, sandals and loafers provide very little support. So avoid these types of shoes.
• Avoid high heels.
• Shoes with narrow toes cause unnecessary pain, and lead to problems in the long run.
• Avoid shoes that don't provide arch support - the arches are what stabilize your feet in the walking cycle.
• Do not ignore the swelling in your feet - if shoes feel too tight, do not wear those shoes.
• Do not ignore the feeling of an improper fitting shoe - the pain and the problems it will cause aren't worth it. See a professional.