Who doesn’t love a pair of flat shoes? A well-designed flat shoe like Frankie 4 conforms to the shape of your feet and fits snugly. Also, it is a healthier option compared to a pair of heels.
But a flat shoe without good support can lead to long-term foot problems. Issues such as arch pain and inflamed tendons may raise their nasty heads.
Therefore, you must consider what to look for in a supportive and functional shoe without compromising style. And for that, stick until the end of this article to know what factors to consider when purchasing your next pair of flats.
- Know the Different Types of Flat Shoes
Flat shoes actually come in different heights. And the following are several examples of the different kinds of flats:
- Flats below the ankle include converse, moccasins, and loafers. It provides an illusion that the legs are longer.
- Flats that rise above the ankle include low boots, military boots, high tops, as well as sandals with ankle straps. It makes the legs appear shorter.
- Flat boots make your legs look leaner. An example is boots that have a dip at the front, which is flattering for all body types.
- Test the Shoes to Make Sure They Are Built to Be Solid
If the shoe can be folded, it lacks the firmness to support your foot properly. Moreover, it might be lacking adequate midsole and outsole for optimum cushioning of your foot.
A shoe missing a shank can result in leg and foot fatigue, heel pain or plantar fasciitis, and instability of the foot and ankle. A shoe without an outsole can cause pain in the ball of your foot and heel.
But before you put aside these flimsy shoes, try boosting its support utilising an improvised shank and midsole. And if the shoe’s insoles can be removed, they can be easily switched up with a customised orthotic.
- The Shoes Must Not Be Too Rigid
A pair of shoes that is too firm and stiff in the sole can be damaging as well. Hence, test its rigidity by bending the shoe. Without a proper bend at the ball area of the foot, your natural stride is restricted.
But if it does bend, make sure the bend is happening at the ball of the foot and not at the middle.
Shoes that are too rigid can rub the heel and foot. It might also cause the toes to grip, which leads to overusing and tiring the lower limb muscles. Unfortunately, unlike flimsy shoes, you can do little to improve rigid shoes.
- Look for a Slight Elevation
Human feet aren’t naturally flat. Therefore, a good shoe must be designed to mould to the foot’s unique features. For example, running shoes with a 12 mm heel create sufficient lift to enable a person to land at a heel strike angle while providing optimum shock absorption.
A lack of elevation can result in leg, foot, and back pain as well as an overuse of soft tissue.
So, to make your feet happy, opt for shoes that have an elevation of at least 10 to 30 mm inside, like Frankie 4 flat shoes.
You might also want to purchase removable soft heel support from a podiatrist and physiotherapist. A removable footbed is another item that can be placed in a shoe to ensure constant support and comfort.
