When going shoe-shopping in today's society, the ultimate aim should be to ensure your feet have fewer problems and pains.  Yes, trend and style are good for the brain; however, fitting and comfort are good for the feet. 

It is possible to avoid various foot conditions by selecting the most suitable, well-fitting and high-quality shoes.  This article will assist you in offering some helpful hints for buying shoes.

Some General Tips

It is recommended that you purchase shoes at the end of your day when your feet are larger.  This will ensure that the shoe is not too tight.  Moreover, if you cannot wiggle your toes, then the shoe is too small. 

Square-toed or round-toed shoes tend to have the most wiggle-room, while pointed or narrow-toed shoes have the least and can result in aggravated foot conditions including hammertoes and bunions.

It is essential that you measure BOTH feet when shopping for shoes.  It is common for one foot to be larger than the other, and the shoes should fit comfortably on the larger foot. 

Try the shoes with hosiery, socks or any other inserts you typically wear to ensure comfort on your day-to-day basis.

Believe it or not, as you become older your foot size will increase with your feet becoming larger. 

Do not attempt to force your feet into a pair of shoes to adapt to the shape of the shoe, but rather find shoes that suit your feet with suitable toes and ankles. 

You should also note that sizes vary according to the shoe style and brand; therefore, you must decide on the shoe by how it fits the foot and not the marked size. 

To ensure the shoes are more comfortable and suited to your foot, it is recommended that you walk around the store in the shoes before making a purchase. 

Shoes will not stretch to suit a foot; however, there are shoes that present with suitable cushioning to reduce the stress placed on the feet and protects them.  This is essential to prevent heel pain and mitigate and distress.

Shoes that bend in the mid-sole region can result in arch pain or plantar fasciitis; therefore, it is important that the shoes have strong arch support. 

Customized inserts or orthotics are also available to treat deformities, help relieve foot pain, and reduce aggravation of conditions such as heel pain, bunions, hammertoes or flat feet.

What About Athletic Footwear?

Athletic footwear or sports shoes hold the foot in a position that is most natural to the required movement.  The differences in design, material, lacing characteristics, weight and other aspects among the sports shoes are created to protect areas of the feet encountering the greatest degrees of stress. 

The athletic shoes need to be well-constructed, appropriate for the given activity (tennis, soccer, walking or running), and most of all comfortable.  Remember, an ill-fitting shoe can mitigate blisters and other foot irritations.

If you are a professional athlete or are training for a specific sports goal, then the sport-specific athletic shoe would be the best investment. 

If, however, you do not require a sport-specific shoe, it can be as beneficial to purchase one of the general athletic shoes.  With the majority of sports shoes presenting lifetime usefulness, you will feel an immediate change in your foot removing unnecessary aggravations or pains. 

What About Men's Shoes?

The majority of recommended men's shoes conform to the shape of the foot and present with a roomy toe area along a horizontal and vertical space, with a low heel that is typically about half an inch high. 

Both the soft and hard sole male shoes can be worn; however, the softer sole tends to be a more comfortable option - hence the popularity of orthotic slippers.  If you stand for long periods of time, the shoes with softer and more cushioned soles protect the feet and keep them comfortable. 

A standard shoe for males is the high-quality Oxford style with a wing-tip or cap toe design.  You could also consider the loafer shoe, the slip-on, and the low dress boot.

What About Women's Shoes?

Women need to be particularly careful when choosing shoes.  The most beneficial shoe for a female's feet is a lace-up walking shoe, a soft sole, and a wider heel with a padded and rigid heel counter that is no more than three-quarters of an inch off the ground. 

High-heeled shoes can be trendy, but they can create and promote various foot conditions.  If you are required to wear this type of shoe, it is important you find the best method to keep the foot as pain-free as possible. 

Try to restrict the time spent on these  heel pain shoes   per day and alternate them with quality flats or sneakers