What is the most comfortable shoe? A podiatrist’s opinion

Shoes, before being a means of being trendy, are essential elements of the outfit. Flip-flops, boots, sneakers, pumps… All these pairs accompany us according to the seasons and occasions. The choice of shoes is important for immediate comfort, but also for the health of the foot in general because “many pathologies are caused by wearing unsuitable shoes,” explains Pierre Schlienger, podiatrist and content creator @allopodo. Before thinking about choosing a comfortable pair, you need to pay attention to another fundamental factor: your size. “You have to pay attention to it. Many women underestimate their shoe size. In addition, we do not have the same size in the morning and in the evening because we have walked throughout the day, or if we have venous problems”. The specialist indicates that if you are looking for comfortable shoes, you should favor wide shoes. Say goodbye to pointed-toe pumps, for example, which risk compressing the foot, even if from a fashion point of view, we love them.

To choose the best shoes, the podiatrist advises “take the time to walk around the store within 5 minutes to ensure that there is no friction, redness, tingling, especially for women who have podiatry problems.” We are thinking in particular of Hallux Valgus which affects 15 to 20% of people according to Pierre Schlienger (80% of whom are women). “Generally speaking, if the person does not present any pathology, is “young” (before 60 years old) and the person has not worn high heels too much, the best choice of comfortable shoes is flat shoes .”

Which pair of shoes is the most comfortable according to a podiatrist?

There are two scenarios according to the specialist. The first concerns you if you have worn a lot of high heels during your life. “In these cases, returning to the flat can be dangerous. Indeed, when the joint is no longer accustomed to using its full range of amplitude, the achilles tendon has less distance to travel and will retract over time.explains the specialist. “If we wear flat shoes, we put more tension on it and this can create pathologies such as hallux valgus or a heel spur.” The solution ? Wide shoes, but with 2 or 3 centimeters of height. In fact, to take care of foot health, the podiatrist recommends against wearing heels higher than 6 centimeters on a daily basis.

If you have not worn heels excessively and you do not have any pathology, then the best shoe is a flat shoe. “We are taught that the shoe to wear to be most comfortable and not hurt the foot is a soft leather shoe, for example ankle boots for women. This is my personal opinion, but I find that sneakers are a suitable and comfortable pair, which is why so many people turn to sneakers.”

What pairs of sneakers should you choose to be comfortable and not damage your feet?

Sneakers are some of the most popular shoes at the moment. This trendy shoe appeals to all generations and can be worn on all occasions depending on the model chosen. “People feel good in sneakers because they are flexible, wide, light, they do not deform the foot”explains the podiatrist. “I recommend models such as the Stan Smith from Adidas, or the Air Force One from Nike, especially not to confuse it with sportswear shoes which should be reserved for sports.” Indeed, although these provide comfort, they destabilize the foot and do not give it enough pressure. People who should avoid sneakers and seek personalized advice are those who suffer from forefoot deviations, particularly due to hallux valgus, or people who have Achilles tendon problems.

Fashion, Lifestyle, Astro Journalist

Maude deciphers all the new fashion trends, whether on social networks or on the catwalks. She takes pleasure in selecting the new nuggets to obtain, the…