Wearing the right shoes to keep your feet pain free

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Throughout the pandemic, many people have padded around the house in slippers or flip-flops. Wearing such unsupportive shoes can cause problems for older adults. That’s because our feet lose their natural cushioning and get flatter with age, and we’re more likely to have osteoarthritis and other conditions that contribute to foot pain.

“Wearing shoes that are in good condition, appropriate for the activity, supportive, and fit well is key to keeping your feet healthy,” says Diane Koshimune, a podiatrist at Kaiser Permanente in San Jose and a spokeswoman for the American Podiatric Medical Association.

This shoe checkup will help keep your feet pain-free.

Fit tips

Many older adults wear shoes that are too large, according to a 2020 study in the journal BMC Geriatrics, or too narrow, according to a 2018 study in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Research. Shoes that are too large or wide can lead to blisters, trips and falls, and overly narrow pairs can cause pain and structural problems, such as bunions and hammertoes.

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Footwear that fits properly has ⅜ to ½ inch of room between the tips of your big toes and the tips of the shoes when you’re standing up. (When you’re shopping, a salesperson may press the front tips of any shoes you try on to check for the proper amount of space.) The front of the shoe should also accommodate the width of your foot when you’re standing, without any pressure or rubbing. Your heel should fit snugly; if it slips up and down when you walk, heel inserts or grips may help. Heel height matters, too: Shoes with heels that are an inch high or less will put less pressure on the ball of the foot, where you may have diminished fat pads.

To prevent falls and injury

Rubber soles with treads provide the best traction on most surfaces in wet and dry conditions. (Smooth rubber soles are better for plush carpeting because they won’t catch in the pile.) Retire narrow stiletto or kitten-heeled shoes and slip-ons, such as mules, flip-flops and slippers; they all increase the risk of falls. And if you walk regularly, play golf or tennis, or do cardio dance, shoes designed for these activities will provide proper support as well as protection from injury, Koshimune says.

Picks for foot problems

To reduce pain and discomfort if you have osteoarthritis, choose firm, supportive shoes over flat, flexible pairs (think athletic shoes or styles with arch support instead of ballet flats or summer jellies). And consider Velcro closures — on walking shoes or sandals, for example — if osteoarthritis or reduced flexibility in your hands makes fastening straps or tying laces difficult. (Laces can also be a tripping hazard.) If you have nerve damage in your feet due to diabetes, fit is critical because even minor irritations can quickly become more serious. You should also avoid shoes with seams or hard materials that may rub and place pressure on bony prominences.

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Stretchable fabric or cloth, and round- or square-toed styles, will put less pressure on hammertoes, bunions or calluses. Also look for a wide size and deep toe box if you have these problems. Inserts or orthotics can provide arch support if you have flat feet and relieve painful soles if your fat pads have thinned.

3 shopping strategies

Your feet will thank you if you follow these tips the next time you buy a new pair of shoes.

●Get measured each time you shop. Your shoe size will probably change over time. Also, one foot may be larger than the other. If so, buy the larger size and add inserts to improve the fit for your smaller foot. If the difference is more than half-inch, consider buying two pairs, so the arch of the shoe matches up with the arch of your foot.

●Shop later in the day. Feet swell during the day, so you want a shoe that is roomy enough to accommodate that change.

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●Try before you buy. Brands you’ve bought in the past may have had design tweaks that affect fit. Walk around the store to make sure shoes feel good — no pinching, pressure or sliding. Never buy thinking you’ll break shoes in.

Copyright 2021, Consumer Reports Inc.

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