Are shoes your worst enemy? Do they pinch your feet and toes no matter how far up in size you go? Do you have to buy extra large sizes just so your feet have room at the sides? Don’t worry; you are not alone. In fact, most people’s feet don’t actually fit the way shoes are made today. Shoes are typically straight until they reach the toes, where they curve around. This shape is not conducive to good foot health. In fact, the shape of your current shoes may be the reason your feet hurt in the first place.
Dangers of Ill-Fitting Shoes
When shoes don’t fit, either lengthwise, widthwise or any other way, there’s a good chance your feet will end up in pain. The dangers of ill-fitted shoes don’t stop there, however.
1. They Can Cause Bunions
Bunions happen when the toes are consistently forced into a smaller shape, like with shoes. The worst culprits for these are pointed shoes since they force both sides of your toe inwards to a point. Over time, such shoes will cause bunions, and those bunions will only grow and make finding and fitting shoes more challenging.
2. They Can Cause Balance Issues
You may not actively notice how your ill-fitted shoe is disrupting your balance, and that’s okay. The best way to tell if there’s something wrong is by considering your joints. A common cause of ankle, knee, and even back pain can be your shoe fit. With a better shoe that properly supports you, those pains can just melt away.
3. They Can Make Your Feet Flatten
You need shoes with proper support. Without that support (as is common with summer sandals, for example), you run the risk of your feet flattening. When this happens, it means your arch is collapsing. As a painful bonus, it also typically means your ligaments have weakened, leading to pain and a loss of coordination.
How to Find Comfortable Fashionable Shoes
The good news is that it is the shoe that is causing you pain, meaning you can easily swap out those painful, toe-pinching pairs you have in your closet for these options instead:
1. Shop Brands That Carry Extended Sizes
The single best thing you can do for your feet and wardrobe is to shop for brands that naturally carry large size womens sneakers. When a brand carries such an extended size range both widthwise and lengthwise, it means you can finally get a pair of shoes that genuinely support your body. With the right size in hand, you can invest in the cutest styles for your wardrobe.
2. Choose Stretchy Upper Material Options
Alternatively, you can shop for shoes with stretchy upper material. These shoes are typically going to be sneakers, yes, but they do give the essential stretch and flexibility you’ll need to comfortably wear shoes when walking around the city or even playing sports.
3. Invest in Foot-Shaped Shoes
There are also an increasing number of brands out there that are designing shoes with a foot-shaped sole, meaning they widen near the toes. These types of shoes can come in a wide range of styles as well and are a good alternative to wide sizes. Keep in mind that they do tend to run up in price simply because they’re typically more rare.
