Save your soles

Podiatrist tips for choosing well-fitting footwear

How do your shoes stand up?

A recent study found that 63-72 per cent of Aussies are wearing the wrong-sized footwear. Wearing shoes that are too small, too narrow or too loose can not only cause corns, calluses and foot pain, but also affect your athletic performance and risk of injury, says podiatrist Jordan Ryder. “Wearing ill-fitting shoes inhibits movement in foot joints, leading to risk of soft tissue injuries, stress fractures or, worse still, pain or numbness,” he says. Here are Jordan’s top tips for happy feet:

Measure up

“Feet change as we age, so have them measured regularly.”

Test thumb width

“Always allow a thumb width from longest toe to shoe edge.”

Go for a spin

“Shoes should be comfortable to walk around in and not need ‘breaking in’.”