Fashion Boots that Won’t Hurt Your Feet

Although our patients at Pasco-Hernando Foot & Ankle don’t have occasion to wear snow boots very often, fashion boots are a popular style for fall and winter months. While many of these boots are designed to look good, they often don’t end up feeling or being good for your feet. Fortunately, there are fashion boots out there that will be kind to your feet. Look for the following features when shopping for boots:

• Good arch support. Boots (and shoes for that matter) that are flat or lacking in proper support for the arch cause foot pain. When arches drop, the whole foot is thrown out of alignment and excess strain is put on the heel. The plantar fascia—a long band of tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot—can become inflamed causing plantar fasciitis.

• Cushioned insole. The average person takes about 8,000 steps a day. That’s a lot of pounding on your foot. A good boot needs to provide shock absorption through a thick and comfortable insole. Don’t mistake fake fur and soft material lining a boot as cushioning—that will flatten out.

• Reasonable heels. Heel heights of over two inches thrust the foot forward and force the toes together. This increases the risk and speeds the progression of toe conditions like bunions and hammertoes. Choose a wider heel over a narrow one for increased stability and decreased risk of ankle sprains.

• Natural materials. Avoid fad materials like vinyl or plastic. Stick with natural materials that are breathable and allow air to circulate. Otherwise, feet may sweat excessively, creating the perfect conditions for bacterial and fungal infections to thrive.

In addition, if our podiatrist, Dr. Lawrence J. Kales, has prescribed a custom orthotic device be sure the boots you choose can accommodate it. If you have a chronic foot problem and would like recommendations of the best boot and shoe designs for you, contact our Spring Hill (352 683-5799) or Hudson (727-868-2128) office.