Introduction

We expect a lot from our feet, and they provide us with the means to enjoy life to the full, yet we rarely give them the attention and care they need or deserve. In fact, our feet are likely to carry us the equivalent of 5 times around the earth in an average lifetime, and we spend nearly 100% of our waking lives wearing footwear, and even so, we often find ourselves wearing poorly fitted, unsuitable, or uncomfortable footwear.

It is no wonder then, that as we get older, our feet start to remind us that they are supporting our full body weight, on a very small surface area, and therefore sustaining significant pressure, and need correct support, as well as soft cushioned comfort.

That is why at Sandpiper, we are obsessive in providing top quality care for feet. We can express our mission in just 5 simple words: Happy Customers with Comfortable Feet

This guide is provided to show you what to look for when selecting footwear, how to keep your feet healthy, and how to enjoy life to the full, simply by understanding what footwear your feet need. Over the next few weeks we will be offering tips and advice to help you and your feet.

Choosing Shoes

Simply by being aware of a few facts, can significantly change the way your purchase shoes, and can lead to being more educated in what makes a good fitting, comfortable shoe. Many foot problems in adults could have been avoided by wearing correct footwear, and knowing how to select footwear that is right for you, can assist you in preventing further damage to your feet.

1 - Upper

Natural materials are highly recommended, and leather is always best for hard wearing, durable shoes. Sandpiper uses specially softened leathers, to give the perfect balance between durability and comfort.

Any footwear made from fabrics must be breathable, and where possible washable, to ensure your footwear can be kept clean and hygienic. Sandpiper slippers are made from very high quality natural and synthetic fabrics, and are fully breathable and washable to keep your feet looking and feeling great.

2 - Linings

Lining should always be breathable, and as they are the part of the shoe that is directly against the foot, should be soft, smooth and free from seams in sensitive areas.

Traditionally, linings in quality leather footwear were always of natural leather, but with recent legislation concerning chemicals used in the production of leather linings, Sandpiper have been developing a new and advanced breathable lining material that is lightweight, super soft, breathable, antibacterial and free from Chromium VI.

The lining in many of the Sandpiper slipper styles are sanitised, ensuring the feet are kept free from odour and bacteria, and are fully washable. Look out for the ‘Sandpiper Sanitised’ logo on our slippers.

3 - Heel

A heel design should always give you stability, and ideally should be no higher than 4cm – 1½”. A heel that is higher than this will cause undue pressure on the forepart of your foot, and if wearing a higher heel is unavoidable, should not be fore more than 2-3 hours at a time.

However, if you have been wearing higher heels, you may find wearing a very flat shoe uncomfortable, as this may cause issues with the tendons in your leg. A slightly higher heel may be advisable in these situations, but you will soon find you can wear lower heels again after a while as your feet and legs become accustomed to it.

4 - Adjustment

Always look for shoes with some kind of adjustment. This can be laces, straps or a touch fasting bar. Often, shoes have elastic gussets, to allow the shoe to ‘give’ and flex when walking to avoid excessive pressure on the foot.

5 - Ankle Support Collar

Many shoes have padded collars around the ankle, and this will provide a snug fit against the foot, and prevent the edge of the shoe from digging into your ankle.

6 - Sole

This should be cushioned, and non-slip. Many of the Sandpiper styles have dual material soles - the harder material to give support to the foot, and the softer substance to provide nonslip properties, and cushioning to the foot.

7 - Heel Counter

This provides support to the ankle around the heel of the shoe, and ensures the foot is kept stable in the shoe when walking. Sandpiper styles are designed with a slightly narrower heel fitting than the front of the shoe, to ensure a good snug fit around the ankle, and to stop the heel slipping when walking.

8 - Toe Box

There should be enough depth right to the front of the shoe to allow toes to move around, and to prevent rubbing. The Sandpiper range incorporates deep toe boxes into the design of the sole, so that there is more depth on the inside of the shoe, than is apparent on the outside!

9 - Insole

Ideally the insole should be removable, and washable to ensure you can keep your shoes fresh and clean. A removable insole allows insertion of orthotics, or specialist insoles. Many of the Sandpiper styles are designed to allow you to wear the shoes without the removable insole, to give extra depth, and some styles have more than one insole included, to provide precise adjustment and fit, even when one foot is a slightly different size or fitting to the other.

10 - Tongue

The tongue of the shoe where present in the design, serves to protect the instep of the foot, from the strap or the laces. The tongue should be padded, to give maximum cushioning for the foot, and this serves to allow the shoe to be fastened firmly, to ensure a snug fit against the heel, without being uncomfortable on the instep. Sandpiper shoes are known for their soft, deeply cushioned tongues.

11 - Heel Counter Cut-out

The shape of the top-line of footwear can make all the difference to the comfort and fitting of the shoe. A shaped counter top-line, can help give a snug fit, and prevent the edge of the shoe cutting into the heel when walking.

More next week...

We hope this guide has been helpful and offered you some tips that will help you the next time you purchase a pair of shoes. Check back next week for tips on caring for your feet and how to keep your feet healthy.

If this guide has inspired you to be kind to your feet and "discover real comfort" please take a look at our full range of comfort and wide fitting shoes on our website: www.sandpipershoes.com

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