It’s Time To Kick These Bad Shoe Habits
When it comes to wearing and maintaining shoes, there are a few bad habits that you need to be wary of. Kicking these bad habits could be important for the health of your feet and the longevity of your footwear. Check out these bad habits below.
Wearing shoes that are too tight
Shoes that aren’t long or wide enough could end up quickly damaging your feet if you wear them too often. Many people who have to see a foot doctor do so to treat issues caused by uncomfortable footwear. Bunions, ingrown toenails and curled toes are some of the biggest problems caused by wearing shoes that are too right. On top of this, wearing tight shoes can affect your posture and even strain leg joints running all the way up to your hips. All in all, if your shoes don’t feel snug, chuck them out. While it’s true that some new shoes may need to be broken in, you should never have to put up with pain - this is a clear sign your shoes are too tight and could be causing injury.
Wearing sneakers without socks
Some shoes can be worn without socks, however sneakers should preferably never be worn sockless. Many modern sneakers don’t provide much ventilation and you could find that your feet get very sweaty. Socks usually catch this sweat, but without socks this sweat will soak into the shoes. Your shoes could end up becoming a breeding ground for bacteria and fungus as a result of this, which could increase the risk of bacterial and fungal infections. Wearing socks will prevent this (providing you change your socks every day). No show socks can create the illusion of wearing no socks for those who want to still carry off this look.
Washing shoes incorrectly
Just how should you clean shoes? Can you really put shoes in the washing machine? Providing your shoes aren’t made from real leather or suede - yes, you can. Shoes made from cotton, PVC or nylon won’t get damaged in a washing machine. You should however put them in a mesh laundry bag to prevent them being thrown around too much and try to choose a cooler slower spin setting if possible. Taking out laces is also recommended as these can come out and get tangled in the drum. If your shoes have removable insoles, you should also take these out to prevent them getting damaged.
Running in incorrect shoes
If you’re taking up jogging or running, it could be worth buying a pair of purpose-built running shoes. Some people run in basic sneakers, but these are not designed to support your feet and ankles when doing a lot of running. Running shoes have a thicker heel, more cushioning and a curved shape that helps provide motion control and impact resistance when running. You’re less likely to develop health problems like sprained ankles and plantar fasciitis as a result of this.
Wearing high heeled shoes regularly
Regularly wearing high heels to work was more trendy a few decades ago - nowadays most people know to wear flats in order to protect their feet and joints (just be careful of completely flat shoes). However, there are some women who still wear heels quite often. This is usually to add height. Whether you’re wearing stilettos or platforms, you’re likely to be putting a lot of strain on your ankles, knees, hips and lower back. This could lead to arthritic pain in the long run. Heels can be fun to wear, but it’s best to spare them only for special occasions.