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When it
comes to buying a new pair of shoes, good looks and durability are
important but if you want shoes that are great for your feet the
most important thing to look for is...
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Support
is the number one, most important element of a shoe because it effects
the health and comfort of your feet. When people talk about support
in a shoe they are referring to the ability of the shoe to reduce
over-pronation,
the natural inward twisting motion of the foot and ankle. To control
over-pronation and support the foot a shoe must have a stiff mid-sole
and a firm heel counter. A shoe with a soft, flexible mid-sole gives
no support because it twists and bends with your foot as you walk.
A shoe with a stiff mid-sole and a strong heel counter locks your
foot in and keeps it from twisting (pronating). This reduces fatigue
and strain and reduces the chance of injury.
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| In the sections
"More About Mid-Soles" and "Heel Counter" all
the shoes pictured are running shoes. This is NOT because this information
only applies to running shoes. The reason running shoes were chosen
for the photos was that they include all the support structures that
needed to be highlighted and they do it in a way that is easy to photograph.
In fact most all the information presented in these sections applies
across the board to any type or gender of shoe. This includes men's
and women's, athletic shoes, casual shoes, dress shoes, outdoor shoes
and hiking boots. |
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