Ill-fitted shoes lead to injuries, back pain and more: Here's how you can avoid it

How to get happy feet

Tips for buying shoes:

1. It’s best to physically go to a store and buy shoes to ensure they fit you. It will also save you time and money instead of making you wait for an online store to exchange them.
2. Your feet naturally expand with use as the day goes by, so buying them in the mornings or evenings is not a good option. Choose to shop for shoes in the afternoon to get the right fit.
3. Feet change with age and often grow larger or wider. You should always have the salesperson measure both your feet while buying shoes. If one foot is larger than the other, buy shoes that fit the larger size.
4. Put on both shoes and stand up. Press the top of the shoe to make sure there’s a half-inch gap between the tip of your big toe and the top end of the shoe. Wriggle your toes to make sure they have enough space.
5. Pay attention to the width of the shoes as well as the length. No part of your feet should feel compressed or too tight.
6. Walk around in the shoes to make sure they fit snugly and don’t pinch or slip off. Make sure there is enough room around the balls of your feet. Walk on both hard and carpeted surfaces to be sure.
7. Check the inside of the shoes to make sure there is nothing that can irritate or scrape your feet as you walk.
8. Examine the soles of the shoe. They should be sturdy enough to protect you from sharp objects, ridged to improve traction, and should ideally also provide some cushioning to ease stress.
9. Don’t think your shoes will expand and fit better with time. Buy shoes that fit well, right from the start.
10. Don’t buy shoes by their size. The size can vary from one manufacturer to the other, so it’s best to rely on the demands of your own feet rather than going by a general size chart.