A Podiatrist Gives Tips for Choosing Shoes: Leonard Greenwald, DPM: Podiatrist (2024)

FAQs

What shoes do podiatrists not recommend? ›

You should not be able to move the shoe side-to-side around the heel or be able to squash the heel. Holding the shoe at both ends, you should barely be able to twist the shoe. This will provide good lateral and medial stability, or a stable platform for your feet.

Shoes with a narrow toe box, like high heels, push your toes together in an abnormal position and make bunions worse. In addition to bunions, poor shoe choice is also a leading cause of calluses, corns, and hammertoe.

Wear shoes that you commonly use, as they can reveal a lot about your foot conditions through their wear patterns. Additionally, consider bringing a pair of athletic shoes if you participate in sports or physical activities, as these can offer further clues about your foot mechanics and alignment.

Sketchers DO NOT have appropriate stability in the upper fabric and the heel counter to complement an orthotic. As such, you will probably find the orthotic redundant, or in worse case contributing to the cause of injury. Remember, an orthotic does 50% of the work. The shoe does the other 50%.

Birkenstocks are a favorite for foot pain thanks to their moldable cork footbed that fits to your foot for complete support. Birkenstock Milano sandals also feature a third strap around the back of the foot for added support, and all three are fully adjustable to keep feet in place.

A sure-fire way to exacerbate your bunion is to stand on your feet all day. Walking or running a marathon is the worst thing you can do for your bunion, and if you have a job that keeps you on your toes, you may need to take some time off to heal.

Is it bad to walk barefoot with bunion? ›

The underlying cause of a bunion (along with genetics) is often a misalignment in the foot or a lack of strength in the supporting muscles. If you already suffer from poor alignment, walking barefoot may actually aggravate your bunion and cause it to advance.

Socks can help those of you with bunions in several ways: Providing cushion: Some socks provide more cushioning over the bunion to protect it from the shoe. Reducing friction: Some socks are made of materials that have less friction than others.

“I regularly refer many of my patients to Bared footwear and all are pleasantly surprised when they see how beautiful the shoes are and that they are made by a podiatrist.

Without any doubt, Crocs will help you relieve any foot pain and are ideal for short-term usage. However, if you wear it for an extended period, Crocs can create more foot issues that can otherwise be avoided.

Be cognizant of what type of shoe or boot you will be wearing. If your shoe fits close to the foot, a thin or lightweight sock will be preferable.

"So many podiatrists recommend New Balance shoes because of how well they support the foot and keep the foot in a neutral position while being active," says Jennifer Groth, Coach at STRIDE Fitness Henderson in Las Vegas. "They also provide comfort while maintaining an overall lightweight shoe."

If you plan on standing for long periods of time, prioritize a shoe that offers plenty of support. Our top pick overall is the On Cloud 5, which has an exceptionally lightweight, breathable design. However, you should ultimately consider your individual foot type when making your decision.

Dr. Miguel Cunha, podiatrist and founder of Gotham Footcare, said that Hoka One One is one of his favorite sneaker brands and added that he also frequently recommends the shoes to patients — especially those with wide feet.

Sandals or open toed shoes – Wearing these will allow air movement and help keep feet dry. They also expose your feet to light, which fungus cannot tolerate. Socks with moisture wicking material also help as well.