Last week we discussed some of the worst shoes ever for your podiatric health in part one of our series.
This week we’re bringing you part two, culminating with the absolute worst shoe possible, loved by the “Mother Monster” herself (aka Lady Gaga). So let’s finish our list of today’s worst shoes … so once again, let’s dim the lights, drumroll please…
#5 Wedges
Much like platforms, many wedges shoes have stiff and inflexible soles that don’t naturally bend with your feet as you walk.
If the wedge is also a high-heeled shoe, it alters the position of your foot and how it functions. This means you’ve also got all of the same pressure problems on your metatarsals as with other heels.
With all that being said, a flatter, wider wedge with a wider base of stability is definitely preferable to a high-heeled one. We rate wedges: the flatter the better.
#4 Pointy shoes
Pointy shoes have come to signify professionalism and elegance, but if you just look at them, you can clearly see that they were not made with human bodies in mind. The acute angle of the point squeezes your toes together unnaturally. Under the pressure of walking and standing, your feet could suffer nerve damage, blisters, bunions, hammertoes, and bruising underneath the toenails.
Men’s shoes have also started to adopt the pointy-toed trend. Ignoring our sense of schadenfreude, we hope the trend does not last long. Hang in there, guys!
You actually can wear pointy-toed shoes, but make sure the point begins to slope beyond your toes, so that your toes aren’t forced into the torturous triangle. Avoid the stiff leather that many of these shoes are made of, and opt for a softer material. We rate pointy-toed shoes: wear with caution.
#3 Wrong size shoes
This one should really go without saying. If your foot is squeezed into a too-small shoe, or flopping around in a too-big shoe, your feet may develop blisters, bunions, calluses, corns, and other ugly or painful problems.
Kids are at high risk for wearing the wrong size shoes. Let’s face it, their feet grow faster than bags of popcorn in the microwave and they’re probably not paying attention. For the easy fix – measure your dang feet! – we rate wrong size shoes: two sizes down.
#2 Minimalist shoes
“Barefoot” shoes sprung to life, riding on the same craze for all things “natural” that brought us raw cooking, the Paleo diet, and compostable forks. The shoes do indeed feel more like walking barefoot, but then again, what is the purpose of wearing shoes? Minimalist shoes don’t offer any arch support or shock absorption. The styles that oddly separate each toe actually interfere with the natural biomechanics of walking.
For their flash-in-the-pan trendiness and outright refusal to do anything that shoes are supposed to do, we rate minimalist shoes: Kick them to the curb.
And… the #1 worst shoes for your feet is… Heel-less Heels
Popularized by “Mother Monster” herself, Lady Gaga’s heel-less heels are sure to turn any romance you may have with your feet into a bad one.
The shoes work via the mechanics of a cantilever. A strong steel shank, slanted downward, supports the weight of your entire body. It directs the load downward into the supports below. A heavier weight in the bottom of the shoe allows for a more horizontal angle, giving the illusion of defying gravity.
Do they “work”? You can walk in them, but as several YouTube reviewers will tell you, you have to learn how to walk in them so that you don’t hurt yourself. If it feels like you’re leaning forward, it’s because you are. All of your weight bears down into the balls of your feet. The stress on your joints can have lasting effects on your podiatric health.
For their sheer audacity and utterly unredeemable character, we rate heel-less heels: Esch-shoe at all costs (See what we did there?).
If you have any question regarding foot gear or foot and ankle conditions, feel free to call us at (877) 989-9100 or visit us at www.footankleinstitute.com.
Dr. Avanti Redkar, DPM
Dr. Redkar specializes in foot and ankle pathology and is available for consult at our Mid-Wilshire Los Angeles and Beverly Hills locations.
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