Now that Memorial Day has come and gone, sandal season is officially here and with it comes a whole new set of high-heel options.
Now, as a Houston podiatrist, I always see summer as a chance to give your feet a break and wear lower-heeled, supportive sandals (not flip-flops), but if you must delve into the wide-array of high-heeled options, at least follow these tips for choosing better-for-you high heels:
- Avoid heels that are more than 2 inches high; any taller, and your weight will shift forward, putting pressure on the ball of your feet and your toes.
- Especially with sandals, choose a wider toe opening instead of a narrow one that can pinch your toes and cause them to curl in un-naturally.
- Opt for a wedge heel instead of a stiletto because it encourages your arch to lift.
- Minimize your time in heels by wearing more supportive options in transit and switching into your heels only when you reach your destination.
- Take extra care when choosing peep-toes, since these shoes can cause your toes to slip over the edge of your shoe or overlap each other. A too-tight fit could push your nail edges into skin, causing you to develop an ingrown toenail.
- Wear heels sporadically: if Tuesday is a wedge day, make Wednesday and Thursday a sneaker day to give your sore feet a break.
The final rule to wearing heels this summer applies year-round as well: if your feet hurt, don’t try to walk off the pain: come see Dr. Andrew Schneider as soon as you can. Walking should never be painful!
