As part of a new series of tips for Nub News readers, footwear specialists Foot Solutions in nearby Red Lion Street Richmond are offering expert advice on how to choose stylish, comfortable shoes that won't damage your health. 

Whilst the latest footwear fashion trends may look irresistible, wearing the wrong shoes can have serious wellbeing consequences like bad posture and poor balance. These in turn can have knock on effects including body misalignment which can cause joint pain, falls and injury.  

Repeated wearing of poor quality, ill-fitting footwear can lead to serious and painful conditions like nerve damage, bunions, plantar fasciitis and arthritis. Ultimately the price your body has to pay for wearing inappropriate shoes, is discomfort and reduced mobility. 

But it doesn't have to be this way, as Foot Solutions will show readers in this new series that by following a few simple steps when choosing footwear, you can have style and comfort whilst enjoying an active lifestyle. 

Always try before you buy and never buy footwear online. Shoes that look great on a website may not feel great in reality. When trying footwear in store, be wary of things like stiff materials, rough inner seams and rivets. If the shoes don't feel comfortable, don't buy them. 

Choose a reputable store. A good footwear retailer with properly trained staff will ensure that feet are measured in terms of both width and length. Feet often vary in size, so it's important that shoes can comfortably accommodate the larger foot. 

Before buying footwear, remember that the two main functions of a shoe are support and protection during the process of walking. 

Foot Solutions Richmond can be found on Red Lion St where they have a wide selection of shoes (credit: Oliver Monk).

Always check the following; 

1. The shoe should only bend where your foot bends (at the joint of the big toe). 
2. The foot should resist being twisted laterally (wrung out). 
3. The heel should be fully enclosed, high, firm and supportive. 
4. The toe section should be deep and roomy. 
5. The shoe should be a thumb's width longer than the longest toe! 
6. The shoe should be able to be fastened by a buckle, belt, strap, or laces. 
7. The heel should be no higher than 2.5cm. 
8. The shape of the shoe should match the foot (curves last for a curved foot). If the shape of the shoe does not match the foot, the shoe will be uncomfortable. 
9. The midsole of the shoe should be solid-firm yet shock absorbing. 

Even after following the steps above and choosing the right shoe, you might still require extra arch support based on your feet and activities to prevent injuries. 

Foot Solutions are specialists in this area and offer a proven 3 Step Process designed to minimise pain and maximise comfort and mobility: 

• Assessment 
• Custom arch support  
• Footwear 

To find out more about Foot Solutions Richmond, visit its website here  

Foot Solutions Richmond is a sponsor of Nub News. Without sponsors our online newspapers would not be possible. Thank you.

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