| According to a national poll by the American | | | | When going for a test walk, step onto a hard |
| Pediatric Association, over 44 percent of women | | | | surface, such as tile or concrete, before you |
| and 20 percent of men wear uncomfortable | | | | make a selection. Walking on carpet does not give |
| shoes. Most people buy shoes that are too | | | | a true indication of comfort. |
| narrow or too short. Another study by the | | | | Buy shoes that hug the heel and allow one half |
| American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society | | | | inch of room at the end of the toe. |
| found that 9 out of 10 women were wearing | | | | Don't plan on "breaking-in" stiff shoes. In time your |
| shoes one size smaller than their actual foot | | | | feet may stretch the shoes, but it could be a |
| measurement. Considering that the average | | | | long, painful process. Shoes should feel |
| person walks 70,000 to 100,000 miles in a lifetime, | | | | comfortable immediately. |
| and that many foot problems are caused or | | | | Check the thickness of the sole. If it's too thin, it |
| aggravated by ill-fitting footwear, perhaps it's time | | | | won't protect your foot from the pavement, and |
| we reconsidered our shoe-buying habits. | | | | the ball of your foot will do more than its share |
| Here's a checklist to help you on your next | | | | of shock absorbing. |
| shoe-shopping trip: | | | | Be sure the widest part of your foot fits |
| Have your feet measured by a salesperson. Foot | | | | comfortably in the widest part of the shoe. Don't |
| size typically increases with age. | | | | squeeze a "C" foot into an "A" width shoe. |
| Have both feet measured. Often one foot is | | | | Steer clear of shoes made of synthetic materials, |
| larger than the other. If that's so, buy to fit the | | | | such as plastic. Natural materials like leather and |
| larger foot. | | | | canvas have more give and allow ventilation to |
| Always try on both shoes. | | | | the feet. |
| Shop after work or in the late afternoon. Since | | | | If you're a woman and you must buy heels, try |
| feet swell during the day, you want a fit that will | | | | to settle for a heel under 2 inches high, so the ball |
| be comfortable until you kick off your shoes at | | | | of the foot is not overstressed. |
| home. | | | | Last, but not least, try to shop in a store where |
| When you go shopping, take with you the socks | | | | you can return the shoes if they're just not |
| or stockings you intend to wear with your new | | | | comfortable. |
| pair of shoes. | | | | |