Footwear influences our gait, and ill-fitting shoes can cause toe abnormalities and deformities. Furthermore, improper foot strike can lead to lower back pain and degenerative joint diseases in the ankle, knee, and hip.
That's why experts recommend that when choosing shoes, you should consider what activities you will be doing with them, and what terrain you will be walking on, since you shouldn't use the same shoe for walking and running, for the city and for the park.
Sports footwear, for its part, must adapt to both the activity being practiced and the foot, providing agility and protection from injuries. Depending on economic possibilities, it is preferable to use good quality footwear, because savings are usually associated with greater discomfort or less durability.
Podiatrist José Jacinto Buenaventura cites some of the issues that must be taken into account when choosing healthy footwear, which must adapt to the foot and not the other way around, and must be chosen according to its application, comfort and safety and not by its appearance:
• Avoid materials that are too rigid or flexible and look for those that are breathable and durable.
• Change your shoes depending on the activity, for example: work, gym, walking, or walking around the house. According to the expert consulted, it is advisable to have two or three pairs of shoes to alternate between, both to maintain them and to vary the support your feet receive.
• Avoid excessively tight shoelaces.
In addition to choosing the right shoes, it's important to clean them regularly and keep them dry. This helps prevent fungal infections and problems like excessive sweating and foot odor. The moisture from excessive sweating soaks and softens the skin of the foot, making it more prone to blisters. Therefore, it's recommended not to wear the same shoes two days in a row, to air them out, to wear absorbent socks, and to apply deodorant or talcum powder to your feet.
