3 Signs of Ill-Fitting Shoes

Ill-fitting shoes can lead to a range of foot problems, from discomfort, to blisters and worse. It’s a myth that shoes have to be “broken in.” Yes, leather does become softer and more pliable after use, but no one should be walking around in new shoes that make their feet hurt. If the shoes aren’t comfortable in the store or when you first walk around in them at home, then they aren’t the right fit for you. Here are some of the most common signs of ill-fitting shoes to be aware of.

1. Heel Slips When You Walk

Even if you’re wearing “slippery” socks, your heel should not slip out of the back of the shoe when you bend your foot as you walk. This heel slippage is one of the leading causes of painful heel blisters. It can also cause you to adopt an unnatural gait in an effort to avoid heel slippage. If your heel is slipping, the shoes are too long for your feet.

2. Sides of Shoes Pinch Your Feet

If the shoes are pinching your feet at the ball width, they’re too narrow for your feet. The ball width is the widest part of your foot, between the big toe joint and the baby toe joint. This pinching can cause bunions to form if you continue wearing too-narrow shoes. Bunions in Austin, TX are frequently caused by shoes that are ill-fitting or cheap shoes that are not properly formed for the human foot.

3. Space in the Toe

Overly large shoes will have too much space in front of the big toe. If you can push down the toe of the shoe without feeling your toe, the shoes are too large. Wearing shoes that are too large is just as bad as wearing shoes that are too small, because they can cause excess rubbing on the foot, and cause blisters or even ankle injuries.

Contact your podiatrist in Austin, TX for help with conditions relating to your feet health. We look forward to hearing from you.