Do you own dozen pairs of shoes but end up wearing only one or two of them? Not because they don’t look great, but because they are a reason for major discomfort. When shoes hurt your feet, it doesn’t matter how attractive or stylish they are, they are simply not worth the pain. Wearing the wrong shoes can make you miserable and hinder your movement especially if you are wearing them all day.
They can make completing your tasks difficult, cause you blisters, foot arch issues, and even affect your stride and posture. It might have been difficult to find balance between comfort and style in the past, but not so today. Smart blokes know that investing in the most comfortable men’s shoes pays off in many ways and that the right type of shoes is more than just eye-catching.
How to Choose Comfortable Shoes for Men?
Simply put, you want to have a good, supportive but comfortable fit. According to orthopaedic doctors, you should feel the arch of the shoe underneath your sole. Anatomical support is ideal for preventing foot ailments that can lead to more serious issues.
So, when buying comfortable men’s shoes the following are some factors you ought to focus on:
Get Proper Arch Support
Shoes should match your arch type so they give you proper support. Your foot arch redirects the pressure placed on your foot as you take a step and helps you interact with the surfaces you walk on. Different people have different arch types, and you should know yours before shoe shopping. You can do this yourself by simply making a footprint with wet feet on cardboard or dry concrete and get a general sense, or you can ask for guidance at a specialty shoe store.
People with a normal arch, and a biomechanically correct foot, should look for shoes with firm but flexible midsole and heel stability. Those who have a flat arch will mostly benefit from shoes that provide stability and motion control. High arch means poor shock absorption, so opt for footwear with plenty of cushioning and stability.
Pick Removable Insoles
Good shoes should reduce the stress placed on your feet as you hit the ground with every step. The insole provides cushion while at the same time supporting the arch of your foot. In some cases, you can fix the arch issue by adding special inserts or using custom orthotics tailored to your needs.
Just make sure there’s enough room in the shoe for the insoles, otherwise it will be too tight. The midsole provides another layer of cushion as it absorbs the shock. It is usually made of foam, air or gel. The outer sole, on the other hand provides traction, helping your foot grip the surface as you walk.
How Much Room is Enough?
Every design can be slightly different, so even if you know your feet measurements correctly, you should still consider the width of the shoe and the padding. Ideally, your feet should have some room but not too much. As a rule of thumb, half an inch of space between your big toe and the front of the shoe should give your toes some wiggle room.
If you have a wider foot, don’t instantly go for a larger size, but look for wide size options. The padding on the inside of the shoe might also influence the size and width measurements. Some models have padding around the ankle, the side of the foot, the toes, the heel and even the top of the foot. These areas are typically most vulnerable to soreness and blistering, so extra padding will ensure more comfort.
Choose Quality Materials
As with most things, the quality of the material the comfortable men’s shoes are made of is very important. Soft leather shoes or shoes made of stretchy textiles will give most comfort. These materials will fit the shape of your foot without exerting painful pressure. Not only does leather give that high-end, sleek feel, but it’s also very sturdy and durable.
It has an elastic quality that allows it to conform to your feet over time while also helping to regulate temperature as it is a breathable material. Textile mostly means cotton and polyester, with a mixture of some lycra, nylon and rayon, that can also be breathable, but may deteriorate quickly.
Other Factors to Consider
1. Purpose – When you are buying shoes you should always have their purpose in mind. Will you be wearing them all day at the office, running around town doing a bunch of errands, wearing them for a couple of hours at formal dinners, or as running shoes? Formal dress shoes compared to casual walking shoes will have different features. Whatever their purpose, don’t sacrifice comfort for style.
2. Adjustable features – like laces, hook and loop straps, buckles, zippers or elastic inserts – all of them can help in making minor changes and adjustments depending on your day-to-day needs. On days when you spend a lot of time on your feet or you experience swelling, you might want to loosen them up to feel better.
3. Seams and stitching – you will come across shoes with thick seams and a lot of stitching for decorative touch, especially on dress shoes. While this makes them more attractive, they can cut into your foot as you walk, cause rubbing, and pain. Make sure the seams conform to your foot.
Conclusion
You spend a significant number of hours standing or walking every day and wearing uncomfortable shoes can easily ruin your day. With the wide range of men’s comfort shoes available today, it’s easy to look good and feel good.
Finding a good pair might seem like a time-consuming task, but it is certainly worth it. The right shoes can help improve posture and alleviate back pain, prevent athlete’s foot and arch issues or joint pain. Keep your style and professionalism while feeling comfortable.
