Here are some tips for picking out summer shoes that are more diabetes friendly Shop live Don't buy shoes on the Internet. Try them on to make sure you have a good fit. This you can never tell online.
* Shop for shoes mid afternoon or later * Your foot swells as the day goes on. If you buy your shoes too early in the day, they may be too tight as the day goes on.
Protection is important Although there are many sandals out there, they really don't give you much protection. The strap can also rub and cause a sore on your foot. If you must wear sandals, be sure to break them in slowly, wearing them only a few hours a day. Check under your strap area If the strap goes between your toes, check that area often. If you notice any redness or soreness, take them off immediately and change into another pair of shoes that you know works for you. Don't go barefoot You've heard this over and over but it's particularly important in the summer. The ground, sand, or pavement can be very hot and cause burns. Even in water, wear shoes or even sandals to protect you from stepping on or being bit by something you can't see. Wear flats Thank God flats are coming back into fashion. It may take a bit more looking but there are cute ballerina shoes out there that are now stylish. Be sure they are not too tight on your toes or bunion area (if you have bunions). Let's face it ladies, we know you will wear heels, but understand this puts a lot of pressure on the ball of your foot and increases your chances for sores and cramps. If you just must wear heels to an event, wear your flats or comfortable shoes to the event, change to your heels for your event, and go back to your flats or comfortable shoes after the event. Don't expect a shoe to stretch How many times have you tried on a pair of shoes you really wanted but they were just too tight. You wanted them so bad you thought, “Oh, they'll stretch.” They don't always stretch and you can't afford the wearing period before they stretch. So, buy shoes that fit and feel right in the store. Take your shoes home before you wear them anywhere How many pair of shoes have you bought that once you wore them they didn't work? Once you're worn your shoes most places won't take them back. Wear them at home for 2 hours first to see if they do fit in real life. If so, great, they are a keeper. If not, take them back and save your money. Measure your feet each time you buy shoes It's not that you need to find the correct size. Shoe sizes are not standardized. And, your foot size changes. Just make sure your new shoes work for you. Your feet even change size if you gain or lose weight. When traveling, bring several pairs of shoes You will usually do a lot more walking. You may even have new shoes for your trip. Change your shoes several times a day to protect your feet from any one shoe causing you a problem. Most Important – Inspect your feet daily The best way to know if you are developing a problem with your shoes is to look at your feet daily or more often. The more you look at your feet, the better you will be at noticing changes early. If you see a red or sore area, think about how that might have happened. If it looks like it's the shoes you wore, change to another shoe you know works. If you see no improvement within 24 hours, call you health care team.
If the shoe fits, wear it and EnJOY!
5 tips for finding the perfect summer travel shoes
Look for suede or soft leather uppers Suede and soft leather mold to the foot rather than rub against it. Patent leather, hard leather, and stiffer, coarser fabrics located anywhere near the heels or ankles may start off feeling comfortable, but when heat, perspiration, and miles combine, blisters are sure to follow. Avoid slingbacks and thin straps on sandals Slingbacks and thin straps not only cause blisters, they can dig into toes and heels, leaving the skin with terrible gashes. Ouch! Make sure the shoe is flexible The stiffer the shoe, the more likely you are to develop blisters and callouses at the points where the shoe should naturally bend (near the joints of the toes and ball of the foot). If you cannot bend the toe toward the center of the shoe without a lot of effort, that shoe is stiff and inflexible. Put it down and walk away. Give your toes some wiggle room — but not too much! Toes shouldn't squeeze together into the shoe, nor should the shoe be so large that it dangles off your foot when you walk. A tight toe box can rub your toes and cause blisters and callouses, if not also other aches and pains, whereas a floppy, wobbly shoe (such as a flip-flop or a shoe that is too large) is not stable enough for two-mile walks over uneven terrain. Make sure the shoe fits secure, but not tight. Don't wear flip-flops or other shoes that you have to hold on to with your toes. Look for rubber soles with texture for traction Textured rubber soles grab the earth and keep you steady, unlike smooth, inflexible wood or some other hard materials out there. Rubber soles are also the best for cushioning the hard earth beneath your hard-working feet. How to choose the right shoes for your baby You are naturally eager to buy those baby shoes even before your baby is on his or her feet, here are some easy steps to avoid temptations and pick up what would be comfortable for your baby: Babies require the same amount of attention as adults while choosing the right sized shoe. Hence comfort and flexibility of the shoe becomes important and should be the main criteria for selection. Shoes for baby should be of exact fit – if too loose your baby could fall or find walking absolutely difficult. If too tight your baby could develop blisters or shoe bites, which could result in irritation or pain in the feet which could turn sore too and get worse. Weather conditions should also be borne in mind. Sandals, slip-on or open toed shoes for summer would be apt, helping your baby's feet breathe. The shoe soles should be non-slippery and not necessarily thick as they would not be doing intensive walking. You should be able to insert your little finger to a certain extent once your baby sports the shoe to check the fit and at least half an inch gap between the toe and end of shoe to wiggle his toe comfortably. Check with the physician, your baby's foot size in your general check up. Precautions to be taken Once you are familiar with picking the right shoes for your baby, you need to be cautious about: Smelly feet and shoes. Some babies can have bad odor, worse than grownups. So it's best to invest in a washable pair of shoes for hygienic purpose. Clear the sand or mud from the inside of the shoes or even sandals to avoid sand bites and toe infections. If the shoes are ankle high or boots, check if the movement is free and flexible around the ankles to avoid restricting baby's walk. Babies needs constant attention as in a split second they could fall and turn your world upside down. Therefore with laced shoes be prepared to re-tie them a lot. The slightest negligence and your baby could tumble on his/her feet. For some breather it's best to choose shoes with Velcro. Baby's feet are not alike. One foot is always slightly bigger than the other so it's best to pick the shoe that fits the bigger feet better. How to select the right athletic shoes Selecting Athletic Shoes Proper-fitting sports shoes can enhance performance and prevent injuries. Follow these fitting facts when purchasing a new pair of athletic shoes. Try on athletic shoes after a workout or run and at the end of the day. Your feet will be at their largest. Wear the same type of sock that you will wear for that sport. When the shoe is on your foot, you should be able to freely wiggle all of your toes. The shoes should be comfortable as soon as you try them on. There is no break-in period. Walk or run a few steps in your shoes. They should be comfortable. Always replace the shoes you are trying on. You should begin at the farthest eyelets and apply even pressure as you create a crisscross lacing pattern to the top of the shoe. There should be a firm grip of the shoe to your heel. Your heel should not slip as you walk or run. If you participate in a sport three or more times a week, you need a sports specific shoe. Court sports: Includes shoes for tennis, basketball, and volleyball. Most court sports require the body to move forward, backward, and side-to-side. As a result, most athletic shoes used for court sports are subjected to heavy abuse. The key to finding a good court shoe is its sole. Running Shoes: Joggers should wear a shoe with more cushioning impact. Running shoes are designed to provide maximum overall shock absorption for the foot. Such a shoe should also have good heel control. Walking Shoes: If walking is your sport or your doctor's recommendation for cardiovascular conditioning, wear a lightweight shoe. This will help reduce heel pain. A shoe with a slightly rounded sole or rocker bottom also helps to smoothly shift weight from the heel to the toes while decreasing the forces across the foot. Aerobic Shoes: Shoes for aerobic conditioning should be lightweight to prevent foot fatigue and have extra shock absorption in the sole beneath the ball of the foot (metatarsal area), where the most stress occurs. If possible, work out on a carpet. Tennis Shoes: Tennis players need a shoe that supports the foot during quick side-to-side movements or shifts in weight. A shoe that provides stability on the inside and outside of the foot is an important choice. Basketball Shoes: If basketball is your sport, choose a shoe with a thick, stiff sole. This gives extra stability when running on the court. A high-top shoe provides support when landing from a jump and may help prevent ankle sprains.
