If you are experiencing pain or have a condition, seek the advice of a medical provider. They will diagnose you and will most likely recommend a treatment plan that includes the right footwear and orthotics.
To weed through the many options that are out there, look at your feet and specific lifestyle to help you determine the best orthopedic shoes for you.
Know your foot shape: Do you have a wide or narrow foot? Do you have a mishappen foot such as a bunion, heel spur or hammertoe? Do you have a high instep? What kind of an arch do you have?
Type of activities you engage in: Do you need shoes for high impact activities, working on your feet all day, or just everyday tasks?
Type of floor you stand on: where will you wear these shoes? On concrete, a rugged path or paved ground?
Existing condition: do you have a current condition that requires specific features?
Always try on footwear at the end of the day, when your feet are fatigued and larger.
Don’t rely on the fact that you have been a certain size the last few years. Our bodies and feet age and certain life events impact our foot size. Get sized by a shoe professional.
Orthopedic shoes should always feel comfortable from the moment you put them on. If you can’t wear them out of the box, they will probably not get better with time.