When is the best time to try on shoes? Are flip-flops good for your feet? Test your shoe knowledge with our Everwell Challenge.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
When it comes to knowledge about shoes, are you staying on your toes? We paid a visit to a shoe store and posed an Everwell challenge to shoppers.
See how you measure up.
1. What’s the best time to try on shoes? Is it:
A. First thing in the morning
B. After a meal
C. In the evening
You’re just getting your feet wet. On to question two.
2. How much space should there be between your longest toe and the end of your shoe?
Have we tripped you up yet? Try question number three:
3. If your shoes wear out first on the inner edge, it’s a sign of:
A. Ankle weakness
B. Low arches
C. A narrow foot
4. Not putting your best foot forward? Here’s another chance.
True or false: wearing flip-flops is good for your feet.
Ok, time to step up for our last question.
5. High-heeled shoes can lead to which of the following:
A. Back pain
B. Leg injuries
C. Arthritis
Answers:
For the correct answer, we turned to podiatrist, Dr. Kirk Geter.
1. Dr. Geter says our feet tend to swell as the day goes on and are largest in the late afternoon or evening. And if the shoe fits well then, then it will well at any other time of the day.
2. The answer is a half an inch. The best way to measure the distance to make sure that the shoe is appropriate is to use your thumb as a guide. So one can use the width of the thumb as a gauge for half an inch.
3. The answer is b, low arches. Individuals can have several types of foot types. If one was an overpronator they would tend to have a very flattened arch. They tend to wear out the inside or the medial side of their shoe a lot faster because their foot rolls-in more than it should.
When buying an athletic shoe, overpronators should choose one with motion-control to provide stability.
Under pronator is just the opposite. The arch is a lot higher so they tend to come down on their heel a lot harder and they require a lot more shock absorption protection. That means a cushioned shoe with a soft midsole. People with neutral arches need what’s known as a stability shoe with a firm midsole.
4. The answer is false. Flip flops, especially the plastic flip flops that aren’t supported or the ones made out of foam just don’t have any support. And some flip flops will have the area between the first and second toe where you slide your foot into where it can cause irritation or blisters. Flip flops are generally fine to wear for short periods, but not all day.
5. The answer would be all of the above. If you think about what a high heeled shoe is, it’s actually elevation of the foot towards the front. So imagine the person’s back, or their lower back or their pelvis area leaning forward.
That can lead to low back pain and problems with calf muscles. And by putting more stress on the knees, it can increase the risk of osteoarthritis.
To help avoid all these problems, limit the amount of time you spend in high heels. And when you do wear them, choose ones with thicker heels and a more gradual slope.