The right shoes should provide optimum comfort, cradle your feet, and eliminate aches and pains. It is also important not to overlook Orthotic Slippers. How do you go about finding the perfect shoes for your needs?

Start by looking at what you already own. Grab a piece of paper or cardboard and loosely trace the outline of your feet. Then, grab all the shoes you own and compare them against the drawing. Do some of them at least remotely fit the outline of your feet? Most people tend to find comfort in the shoes that are created to match the natural outline of their feet.

Which Shoes Cause Pain?

Identify any and all shoes that cause you pain and discomfort. Women will especially find a number of these in the form of high-heeled footwear and those with a narrow toe box as these all force your feet into unnatural shapes.

As you’ve probably discovered, very few options actually cater to your needs. Here are some tips to help you replace the pieces that no longer work for you:

  • Shop for shoes in the afternoon as your feet tend to swell towards the end of the day. This is due in part to heat, especially during warmer months of the year.
  • Always wear the socks you normally would wear with your shoes. This ensures you find something that fits well in all situations.
  • Have a store associate measure your feet, or if you know for sure one foot is larger than the other, purchase a shoe that accommodates your biggest foot best.
  • Stand and walk around in the shoes to get a feel for them. Your large toe should have at least half an inch of free space without touching the end of the shoe. As you walk around, you may also discover that the shoe slides on and off or pinches a certain area. These are options you should avoid.
  • Many shoes claim to offer unsurpassed comfort and foot health, but judge the shoe for yourself. It’s easy to fall in love with a shoe’s design, but never rationalize the fact a shoe doesn’t fit. If you slide your foot inside and you think it should stretch or get broken in, avoid it altogether.
  • Look at the actual construction of the footwear or Orthotic Slippers. Are there design flaws such as stitching or tags that may make it irritating to wear? What about the cushioning on the footbed? Does it absorb shock as you walk, and does it have adequate arch support?
  • When trying on shoes for the first time, make sure to walk on a number of different surfaces such as carpeting, linoleum, and hardwood if possible.