How To Tell if You’re Wearing the Right Pair of Shoes for Your Feet, According to a Podiatrist

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably never paid too much attention to your foot type when searching for new shoes. Admittedly, the first thing on my mind is if I like the style and color, but I do know that it is important to know your foot type to prevent foot pain and injuries. To help you figure out how to determine your foot type, and by virtue which shoes you should wear, Miguel Cunha, DPM, founder of Gotham Footcare located in New York City shared a super easy and fool-proof tip with us.

How to determine your foot type and what shoes you should wear

“To determine your foot type, look at the soles of a pair of worn-in shoes,” says Dr. Cunha. This is because the wear pattern illustrates where you accumulate the most pressure when walking, he explains. People who pronate, your feet roll inward, will notice that their shoes look the most worn on the inside of each shoe.

Pronators may also experience pain and injuries like plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, shin splints, and inner knee pain, because of the anatomy of your foot, says Dr. Cunha, which is why it’s important to make sure you’re wearing a shoe that properly supports your feet, or a support shoe.

Conversely, if your shoes look more worn-in on the outside, your feet supinate (lean outward). “People who commonly sprain their ankles or have outer knee pain tend to be supinators because they have higher arches and [their feet] roll outward.” And if your shoes are evenly worn, you have a neutral foot type, because your weight distribution is equal across the foot, explains Dr. Cunha. In both these instances, you should look for a neutral or cushioning shoe.

The next time you go into a shoe store or you’re browsing online, remember to consider your foot type first and the style second. Either ask the sales rep which styles of shoes are best for your foot type, or make sure to look at the style description online before making any choices to ensure that your feet are supported and stay pain-free.

Got sore feet? Show them some TLC with these quick foot stretches: 

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