I know we just started the Year of the Snake (happy belated!), but it feels more like we’re in the midst of the Year of the Foot. Or at least, foot health. The topic has been popping up a lot, no? There were bans on Crocs at schools due to kids tripping, and Australia painting a vision of a barefoot way of life, and experts weighing in on the pros vs cons of going barefoot at home. Plus that insanity when the founder of Spanx launched Sneex, an unholy sneaker-heel hybrid. (Ok fine, Sneex are exceedingly popular and out-performed all sales expectations, but I stand by my unfavorable opinion of them!) So here we are with a fresh set of expert advice straight from the podiatrists’ feet mouths:
Don’t stand in Crocs for long periods: “Don’t get me wrong, Crocs are a decent shoe to wear around the house or while doing small tasks,” [board-certified podiatric foot and ankle specialist Dr. Ebonie] Vincent said. “However, when I see people wearing Crocs at Disneyland or for long hours of standing, I know they will probably suffer from some foot issues down the line.” She recommended wearing “a good walking shoe” from brands like Brooks, Asics or New Balance for long days of standing or walking.
Wear high heels in moderation: “Women who live in high heels will eventually suffer from foot pain from bunions, corns, heel spurs or even Achilles tendon pain,” Vincent said. … “You should wear high heels [in] moderation, not the entire day or every day,” said Dr. Jason Gold, a board-certified podiatrist at the Foot, Ankle & Leg Vein Center in Florida. “Wearing high heels causes your foot to go into pronation, which can lead to bunions, hammer toes or plantar fasciitis.” In general, he tells patients with foot pain to wear a supportive shoe at least 80% of the time. For the other 20%, they can wear whatever shoe they’d like. He noted that platform heels can help alleviate stress on the foot and muscles on the leg.
The barefoot question: [Gold] recommended having a pair of supportive sneakers to wear when walking around at home, especially if you’re on tile and marble more than carpet. You can buy a “house”-specific sneaker for indoor use only if you’re concerned about bringing in germs from the outside. “Time and time again, we hear that people live on their bare feet and are supposedly comfortable that way,” Vincent added. “If you consistently don’t provide support for your feet, you will develop calluses or even fat pad atrophy. If this happens, walking barefoot will no longer be comfortable, and you will limit your options on which shoes you can wear in the future.”
Only run in running shoes: “Avoid running in shoes that are not running shoes,” said Atlanta-based podiatrist Dr. Jay Spector. “Many people will get a cheap pair of shoes and try running, and that can create pain.” He recommended changing your running shoes every 300-500 miles or every six to eight months. “Also, wear the right shoe for the right activity,” Spector added. “Avoid wearing running shoes to play tennis and vice versa.” Dr. Michael J. Trepal, a professor of surgery and academic dean at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine, warned against wearing zero-drop shoes (in which your heel is not raised, but on the same level as your toes) or running barefoot. “Not only can a bare foot subject the skin on the bottom of the foot to injury, but [it] also supports poor mechanics against a non-deforming ground,” he said.
So the general consensus is… wear the proper shoe for the proper activity, and mix it up so you’re not in the same footwear (or bare feet) for too long? Not to brag, but I don’t even have to check my closet to confirm that I never run in non-running shoes. Nor do I run barefoot. And how can I attest to that so confidently? Because I never run. See, I’m a health nut! And while I don’t have house sneakers, I do have house slippers. Though to be honest, the new pair I got don’t have much support, and with the feather ball atop each shoe (because yes, I am that girl), I find myself having to wrestle them away from my floofy pup who thinks they’re his toys. I fear I’m getting away from the podiatrists’ main points… Overall I feel I have a leg up on this issue, since I never f–k with fashion stilts anyway, and basically live in my Hokas. Although I do not have the funds to replace them every 6-8 months, yeesh!
Photos credit: JosiahW / Backgrid, Diimex/Backgrid, JPI Studios/Avalon
I wonder if insoles in a house slipper would work 🤔
Probably not necessary if the most lengthy standing you are doing is loading the dishwasher or the longest walk is from the couch to the bathroom.
True!
Crocs are my house shoes, LOL. Got a pair when the various fabric and wool ones I wore got funky from being wet due to post shower wear. I will put on sneakers if I’m got to be doing major cleaning or something where I’m going up and down the stairs, but otherwise it’s my super comfy hot pink Crocs.
Never wear them outside, though.
I have calluses and fat pad atrophy, so I wear shoes almost all the time. My feet throb at night and hurt to walk on in the morning. I used to go barefoot and in flip flops all the time, but I think that my feet are congenitally not very good
Telling people to not go barefoot is nuts. Unless you have a significant issue of some sort, barefoot walking helps build the stabilising muscles in your feet and legs.
The “replace every six to eight months” is for your running shoes that you’re doing nothing but running in. They get worn down amazingly fast. I replace mine once a year but it really should be eight months. If you’re not wearing them for running, just replace them when the soles get too damaged, however long that may be.
I grew up walking barefoot everywhere but now that my house is wood and tile – no carpet in sight – I have switched to wearing “house shoes” with at least a little bit of arch support, because I’m on my feet a lot, I’m an old now and the floors are just too hard. I used to be big on FitFlops and would buy a couple pairs a year but now I wear Oofos with socks (they make great gifts, too!).
My GP still tells me to switch up my shoes all the time so that my feet get different kinds of support. In the winter I wear my Timberland boots outside the house, in the summer all kinds of walking shoes or flat sandals…I think that as long as you don’t wear heels too much you’ll be fine!
Saucony runner for liiiife!!
Shoes mash your toes together so they don’t do what they are supposed to do. Which is to help your balance. I get you shouldn’t stand on hard things all the time. But barefoot is how you should spend most of you time.
Um, if this is blanket advice, I would not listen to these doctors.
If these doctors are referring to people with neuropathy, diabetes, circulation issues, have existing foot issues, or vulnerable health, then YES, this is great advice.
Presuming you’re healthy and your feet are fine, then be aware that you risk foot issues in the future starting with atrophied muscles and barefoot balance. You’re supposed to do ankle circles, practice picking stuff up with your toes, walking on grass, uneven ground, and different sized “river stones.” Your brain receives input from your feet and not going barefoot (if healthy) deregulates this response.
I started getting bad plantar fasciitis around age 30 and I get a flare up every now in then-its usually if I wore flimsy unsupported shoes for an extended amount of time (my latest experience was after I went for a Thanksgiving day walk in my business casual flats, not a great idea) I got my first pair of Hokas because I saw how big and cushiony they looked so I figured-why not give those a try. And they work. I’m sure other well made shoes work too but i’m going to be local to Hoka for the forseeable future because of my experience with them.
So how did humans function for 1000’s (and 100,000’s) years without all this fancy footwear?
I’m guessing the guy who created the ‘marathon’ didn’t have jazzy running shoes.
(Unless you have specific issues with your feet and legs)