The following are great tips for buying shoes:
- Shop for new shoes in the afternoon or evening. During the course of the day our feet normally swell a little. Buying shoes later in the day helps assure a better fit.
- Be sure to have both feet measured. Often one foot is a little longer than the other one. Buy the shoe size that fits your larger foot. Always stand up for foot measurements.
- Always try on both shoes and walk around the store to check for comfort.
- When trying on shoes, wear the same type of sock you plan to wear with your new shoes.
- If you wear orthotic devices, take these with you to try in potential shoes.
- Do not buy shoes that feel like they need to be broken in. Shoes should be comfortable immediately
- Children’s feet should be measured every three months to monitor growth. It is not unusual for a child’s feet to grow two to three sizes in one year.
- Buy sport specific shoes to reduce the risk of sports injuries. In other words, if you plan to play basketball, buy shoes designed for this activity. If you plan to run or walk for exercise, wear running shoes.
- Purchase shoes for running or walking at a running specialty store. These are highly specialized shoes and you need the help of a specialist to choose the correct shoes for you. In the Indianapolis area we recommend these stores:
For a full list of shoes that carry the American Podiatric Medical Association’s Seal of Acceptance, go to http://www.apma.org.