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Choosing the Right Shoes

From a podiatry perspective, one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your feet is choosing the right footwear. Good shoes don’t have to be expensive—they just need the right structure.

1. Pick a shoe with a firm structure

A supportive shoe should not bend or twist easily. You can test this with two quick checks:

Bend Test

- Hold the shoe at the heel and the toe.

- Try to bend it.

- A good shoe should only bend slightly at the ball of the foot, not in the middle.

- If it folds in half like a taco, it’s too soft.

Twist Test

- Hold the heel and the toe and twist the shoe.

- It should only twist 10–15 degrees.

- Too much twisting means poor support for your arch and midfoot.

Heel Cup

- The heel counter (the back of the shoe) should feel firm, not collapsible.

- This helps control heel motion and improves stability.

2. If you wear boots

Boots can be great, but they need the right balance:

Sole

- Should be firm, not overly flexible.

- A firm sole reduces strain on the plantar fascia and other soft tissues.

Cushioning

- Inside the boot, you still want adequate cushioning for comfort and shock absorption.

Ankle Movement

- The boot should allow some ankle bend.

- If the ankle is locked and rigid, it can change your walking mechanics and cause other issues.