Flat feet are an annoying condition, no matter how old you are. For children who have it, finding comfortable shoes can be one of the most challenging parts of growing up and can lead to other health problems if not appropriately addressed.
Fortunately, most people’s feet have time to grow out of their flatness as they age, but knowing how to make shoes more comfortable for flat feet can help them cope with their condition as they get older and give them the confidence to enjoy their youth as much as possible!
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Tips On How To Make Shoes More Comfortable For Flat Feet?
Are you a woman with flat feet who is tired of the generic shoe store selections? Do you have wide feet and need a hard time finding shoes? Do you hate spending lots of money at retailers for shoes that will never really give you the comfort and support you need?
If your answer is yes to all these questions, don’t worry, as I will be discussing in this article section some great tips on how to make shoes more comfortable for flat feet.
1. Use Cork Insoles For Flat Feet
The insole you have in your shoe is the first layer of comfort. Some shoes come with insoles made of foam or fabric, but these can be replaced. Cork insoles are a good choice for flat feet, as they provide cushioning and support. Your cork insoles should fit your shoe perfectly, so look for insoles designed for your specific shoe model.
Cork provides natural arch support. It is made from cork trees, which grow in a single world region — the Mediterranean Basin (Greece, Turkey, and Portugal). Cork is harvested from the tree’s bark and is a 100% renewable resource.
Cork does not absorb water, so your feet won’t get wet when you step in a puddle of sweat on hot summer days. This makes cork an excellent material for insoles.
Cork also has natural shock-absorbing properties and works well to cushion your feet when walking or running. These properties make it an ideal choice for flat feet sufferers who need extra arch support and shock absorption in their shoes.
2. Use A Heel Cup For Flat Feet
When you have flat feet, your foot lacks the natural arch that other people have. This can cause you to experience pain in your foot when you walk or run. You can remedy this by purchasing a heel cup for your shoes. This will act as an artificial arch for your feet and give you more stability and balance.
3. Go For An Insole With Arch Support
A good insole is the best way to make your shoes comfortable for flat feet. You have to pick the right kind of insole. You see, not all insoles can support flat feet.
So, how do you know which one is suitable for you?
Most insoles consist of some arch support. But most of them are made for neutral arches or supinated ones (or high arches). And these are not the best for flat feet.
Therefore, you should look for an insole with contoured arch support that runs through the middle part of your foot, more or less below your toes and up to somewhere near your heel.
The best insoles usually come with a deep heel cup that will cradle your heel and keep it stable as you walk or run. A good heel cup will also prevent overpronation, common among people with flat feet.
4. Choose The Right Size And Width
When choosing shoes for your flat feet, choosing the right size and width for comfort is essential. If the shoe is too small, it will put extra pressure on your foot and can cause damage. Shoes that are too big will cause blisters and discomfort due to movement inside the shoe.
When finding the right fit, try shoes on in the afternoon as this is when feet tend to be their most significant.
5. Wear Socks That Provide Additional Comfort
One of the easiest ways to make your shoes more comfortable is wearing socks that provide you additional comfort. While there’s nothing wrong with wearing ordinary socks, they don’t provide you any added support and comfort. It would be best if you looked for socks specially designed for flat feet, such as Dr. Motion Copper Compression Socks, to ensure that you’ll get ample support and comfort throughout the day.
6. Get Athletic Shoes
Athletic shoes are designed to support your feet while exercising or running. They may also be helpful if you have flat feet because of their extra support and cushioning. If you have flat feet, look for athletic shoes that offer arch support or are designed for over-pronation or fallen arches. Athletic shoes are often expensive, so be prepared to pay a bit more for them than other shoes.
7. Go For Low Heels And Wedges
As much as you want to wear high heels, it is recommended that you opt for low heels and wedges instead. This is because they are more comfortable and easy to walk in.
You will not have to worry about the high heels slipping off your feet or getting pinched due to the pressure applied to your toes.
8. Opt For Pointy-Toed Or Square-Toed Shoes
Surprisingly, pointy-toed shoes can be more comfortable than round-toed ones. The reason? They create more space at the front of the shoe and give your toes room to move around. This is particularly helpful for people with flat feet, who often have toes on the shorter side.
9. Don’t Go For Platforms
Platforms are a great option if you want to wear heels but have foot problems. However, they’re not the best choice for people with flat feet. Because of your arch, the platform might not distribute the weight evenly and may cause pain in your toes and arches.
10. Choose A Shoe With A Slingback And Ankle Strap
Either a slingback or an ankle strap is a great way to ensure the shoe stays on your foot and doesn’t slide around while you’re walking. A slingback is usually a bit more comfortable, but either option will work if you have fallen arches.
11. Avoid Wearing Strappy Sandals And Gladiator Sandals
If you have flat feet, wearing a strappy sandal or gladiator sandal is not good. These sandals do not provide enough support for the bottom of your foot or your arches, and they may cause a lot of pain when you are walking or standing all day long. If you want to wear sandals, stick to ones with a thick sole and straps that go around the back of your heel to keep them from slipping off.
How To Make Flat Feet Look Good In Shoes?
To make flat feet look better in shoes, you’ll need to:
- Check your shoelaces. Are you wearing laces that are too loose or too tight? If so, adjust them.
- Put on a pair of socks and try the shoes on again. Do they still feel uncomfortable? If so, you may need to try a different shoe size.
- Try on different types of shoes. Can you find a more comfortable option?
- Talk to your doctor about buying orthotics. These particular inserts can be worn inside your shoes to help with the discomfort from flat feet.
Can Flat Shoes Hurt Your Feet?
The short answer is yes! Regularly wearing shoes with poor arch support can lead to foot pain and toenail fungus. When you don’t have enough arch support, your body compensates by over-exercising your feet and toes muscles.
This overuse can cause your forefeet muscles to become stiff and sore, leading to plantar fasciitis. Without proper support, your arches will collapse, which can cause a chain reaction that leads to pain. Shoes that are too flat can also cause toenail fungus. This is caused when your toes are constantly rubbing against your shoe, and the nail cannot grow as it should.
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Concluding About How To Make Shoes More Comfortable For Flat Feet
Suppose you or anyone close to you suffers from flat feet and wearing uncomfortable shoes. In that case, it is time to get custom orthotics from a podiatrist or a sports shoes store.
Anyways, here is a guide for those who can not find the answer to the question “how to make shoes comfortable for flat feet?“. We hope that this article will help you search for ways to prevent flat feet.