LET’S TALK FOOTWEAR

It is often said “Good shoes take you to Good places” but only a handful know what “Good Shoe” here refers to. It isn’t about mere looks, it’s about the comfort they exude. Have you ever pondered over the thought “What exactly is the right footwear for you?”

PUT YOUR FOOT DOWN

Running or walking is considered as one of the best and natural form of exercise. The footwear you choose can make your next Walk/ Run a breeze or you could end up lying on a couch nursing your sprained ankle or a handing a bad shoe-bite! 

THE TECHNICAL KNOW-HOW

While most Sports stores selling athletic wear have trained and knowledgeable staff to guide you through the process, you can remain a notch ahead of the game armed with little know-how of what’s right for your feet.

MAKE YOUR SHOES WORK FOR YOU, NOT AGAINST YOU

The quick guide below will help you in finding your right pair of athletic shoes -

• Each shoe is designed keeping the purpose in mind and are intended to provide just the right support at the right angle. Walking shoes are stiffer and running shoes on the other hand are extremely flexible and come with an extra layer of cushioning to handle the impact. If you intend on doing both activities, get a pair for each.

• The right time to shop for shoes is in the evening or post workout. Your feet tend to swell up slightly in size as the day goes by. If you intend to go shopping during the day, working out on the treadmill for a while before you head out has the same effect as walking around all day.

• Most people don’t tend to realize that one of their feet is slightly bigger than the other. Try your shoes on your bigger foot first and then settle for the one that both your feet are comfortable in.

• Ask for assistance from the storekeeper and check the length and width of both your feet before trying because your feet like all the other parts of your body, changes in size and shape as you age.
• Wearing socks makes it easier to slide your feet more comfortably into the shoes. Always try your pair of shoes wearing the socks that you intend to wear it with.

• Take suggestions from the storekeeper for the right kind of shoes based on the duration you intend to walk/run per day, terrain you are most likely to tread on and foot problems, if any.

• Make sure to scrutinize each and every part of the shoe for quality, like the sole, insole, tongue, lace eyelets and laces.

• The sole of the shoe should be thick enough to provide protection in case something sharp pierces in. If the sole is stitched to the upper part instead of being glued, then the shoe is worth a buy.

• Check for mid sole cushioning inside the shoes that provide better support to the arches.

• If you live in a region that is prone to bad weather or the terrain you tread on has wet/slippery conditions, make sure to ask for slip resistant shoes that provide better traction, and prevent injury.

• Wear the shoes that fit you perfectly. Pinch the front part of the shoes lightly to make sure that there’s about half an inch of space between your longest toe and the front end of the shoe.
• If shoe-bites or foot blisters trouble you despite the perfect fit, try skin barrier gels like SkinEasi comfoot. It gives your feet long hours of protection against shoebites and blisters

• Walk/run around a bit to determine how comfortable the shoes are, making sure that the shoes don’t slip off.

• Try to feel if the inside of the shoes has any tags or labels that could cause discomfort.

• If you run/walk in the evenings or at night, buy shoes that have reflectors on them.

THEY SAY KNOWLEDGE IS KEY, AND NOW THAT YOU’RE ARMED, HEAD OUT ON A BUYING SPREE