Tips for Buying the Best Support Shoes

When looking for the best support shoes, learn how to recognize a shoe that really does support your foot. 

Here are a few tips on what makes a good support shoe and how to evaluate if the shoe will give you the best support possible.  

1.  How rigid is the center portion or torsion of the shoe?
Grasp the shoe behind the heel and around the front of the shoe and twist.  If you find that there is excessive play and twisting motion in the middle section of the shoe this is not good.  You ideally want no twisting action in the midsection of the shoe.

2. Heel Rigidity
Just below the midsection of the shoe, press the right side and left side of the shoe together, just above the midsole.   If the shoe squeezes together easily this is a problem.  Ideally you want the shoe to have a rigid heel counter meaning the left wall and the right wall of the shoe stay rigid.

3. Flexion Stability or flex in the midfoot
Hold the back of the shoe and push up firmly on the toe. You do not want the toe of the shoe to flex back easily.  The shoe should remain firm in the middle. 

In summary, a support shoes should have all three elements, no twist in the midfoot, no flex in the midfoot and good heel rigidity.

In addition here are 7 tips to help you buy the right support shoe:

1. Measure your feet while you are standing
2. Try on both shoes and walk around the store
3. Don’t assume that the size of your last pair of shoes is still your size.  Your feet do get larger as you get older and sizes also vary between brands of shoes.
4. When trying on shoes wear the socks or stockings you’ll normally be wearing.
5. Rotate your shoes or better yet buy two pairs.  This allows your shoes to breathe and helps them serve your longer.