If you’re about to start trawling the shops, looking for the best pair of shoes for sale, the first and loudest word of warning I can give you is this: choose function over appearance every time! In normal English, this means that you are likely to get sidetracked by shoes that are beautiful to look at, and for this reason, probably on display inside the store, but that doesn’t make them the right shoe for your needs. Here’s how to find the right kind.
Assess what you’ll need them for
Remember that time you saw a gorgeous pair of Nike shoes for sale, fell in love, and bought them, figuring that they are branded, and therefore well-made, and therefore multipurpose? And then you wore them for a hike, perhaps you wore them to work for a day or two, and out of nowhere, you noticed your back was starting to hurt? While everything I said about the shoes above might be true, the multipurpose part isn’t, and that could well have been the reason for your discomfort. Even the best pair of shoes will not serve you optimally if you don’t wear them in the way they were intended to be worn.
If you wear the wrong shoes for the job, you risk your spine and general alignment being affected, which will have a knock-on effect on your posture and wellbeing. If you wear shoes for the activity they were designed for, however, you will benefit from having the right postural support in all the right places.
What support do I need?
If you spend a lot of time on your feet, on account of your job or a specific hobby, you will need shoes that are able to provide you with adequate cushioning for long hours on your feet. In addition, you will also need something that supports your heels and ankles, as a result of a long time on your feet can often be fatigue. Fatigue, in turn, leads to tired supporting muscles, a slouching posture, and finally, backache. The perfect pair of shoes will keep you comfortable, regardless of the intensity of your activity.
Material matters
Leather has long been known as a versatile material for the production of both running and walking shoes. For athletics shoes, it is often combined with suede, which offers similar structural sturdiness, but at a slightly lower cost. If you own any shoes that are totally or partially made of suede, consider treating them with a waterproofing treatment like Scotchgard, to extend their lifespan. If you are looking for running shoes in particular, be on the lookout for something that has a lot of mesh integrated into its construction, as this aids in ventilation and regulating the body heat generated by running.
What’s on the inside matters
One of the strangest, but most constructive purchases you will make is that of removable insoles. Replacing the standard-issue insoles of your shoes with orthopedic ones, or insoles made of memory foam can go a long way in not only adding cushioning but exponentially increasing the comfort levels of your shoes.
