Putting Comfort First
Good shoes don’t just look right — they feel right. This section focuses on fit, cushioning, and performance, helping you choose footwear that supports your stride and prevents pain. Whether you’re comparing heel-to-toe drop, finding arch support, or stretching tight toe boxes, you’ll learn how to fine-tune your fit for all-day comfort.
How annoying is it when you’re trying to buy shoes and the length is right, the width seems fine, yet the shoe still feels painfully tight across the top of your foot. If that sounds familiar, the problem may not be your shoe width at all. You may have a high instep and simply need … Read more
By Sue Holland Choosing shoes for orthotics isn’t simply a case of buying a wider fitting or going up a size. The best shoes have enough internal depth, removable insoles, good support and enough room for both your feet and your orthotics to work together comfortably. Get those features right and you’ll usually be far … Read more
By Sue Holland A high volume toe box is the front part of a shoe with extra height above the toes, rather than simply extra width across them. It gives your toes more vertical space and can be particularly helpful if you have swelling, hammer toes, chunky toes or orthotics that raise your foot inside … Read more
Hammer toes can make wearing shoes a real challenge—especially if the top of your toes rub uncomfortably against the inside of the shoe. I have had a similar experience with toe rubbing because my toes are quite chunky (for want of a better term)One of the simplest and most effective solutions is increasing the height … Read more
When shopping for running or walking shoes, you may have come across the term “heel-to-toe drop.” It’s one of those technical specs that’s often overlooked but can significantly impact your comfort, posture, and even injury risk—especially if you have specific foot health needs or wear wider fitting shoes. In this guide, we’ll explain what heel-to-toe … Read more
Compression socks can help some types of foot pain, particularly when swelling, poor venous circulation or long periods of standing or sitting are contributing to the discomfort. They work by applying graduated pressure to the feet and lower legs, which can help reduce swelling and tired, heavy or aching feet. However, compression socks won’t help … Read more
After my own ankle replacement surgery, I quickly learned that the shoes you wear during recovery matter just as much as anything else in the healing process. Swelling, sensitivity, and limited mobility all change what your feet actually need — and it’s rarely what you’d normally reach for. This guide covers what genuinely helps, based … Read more
What Are Insoles? Insoles usually come as standard inside shoes, but the best insoles for flat feet provide firm, contoured arch support, a supportive heel cup and enough cushioning to distribute pressure comfortably. They should hold the foot securely without forcing the arch into an uncomfortable position, and they must fit inside the shoe without … Read more
Most people know their shoe size in length, but few know the circumference around the widest part of their foot. That’s why shoes can feel comfortable initially but begin to pinch after a few hours. This guide shows you how to measure your forefoot circumference at home and use the calculator below to find your … Read more