Educational Articles

How to Shop for Shoes

Posted By Marty Hughes, DC

Disclaimer:

The above content is for educational or informational purposes only and is not intended to replace or augment professional medical instruction, diagnosis, or treatment. Read full disclaimer here.

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Comments
February 22, 2021
Shirley Richey

I recently purchased some inserts, and I wonder if they will work in your shoes? Do you cut the inserts to size? Thanks.

February 22, 2021
Natural Footgear

Hi, Shirley,

Most inserts will indeed fit inside the footwear we feature on our site, though we’re not big fans of inserts that attempt to control the movement of the foot or that claim to improve upon the inherent brilliance of the human foot. The only inserts or insoles that we feel comfortable using inside footwear are Naboso proprioceptive insoles, and you can find out more about them here:

www.naturalfootgear.com/collections/naboso-insoles

Please let us know if you have any additional questions!

Kind regards,
Marty Hughes, DC

February 22, 2021
Lisa

Thanks for this article. I love my Lems Boulder boots, but I am looking for some knee-high boots that have a wide toe box. I am having a hard time finding some. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks in advance for your help!

February 22, 2021
Natural Footgear

Hi, Lisa,

Thank you for your comment. Unfortunately, I’m not aware of any boot models out there that satisfy your criteria. Ahinsa Shoes used to manufacture a sleek knee-high boot, but the company discontinued production on this model a while back. It’s possible that they might bring it back to the market at some point, but that’s not at all a sure thing. Vivobarefoot might be another possibility, though, at last check, their women’s models were relatively more narrow in the toe box than their men’s models. If anything else comes along that fits the bill, I’ll be sure to let you know.

Kind regards,
Marty Hughes, DC

April 24, 2024
Ken Bullivant

What’s the best shoe model for a 78-year-old walker who wears orthotics?

April 24, 2024
Natural Footgear

Hi, Ken. Thank you for your question! It’s great to hear that you’re an avid walker and are interested in finding footwear to suit your needs. If the orthotics you’re referring to are conventional arch orthotics, as is the case for most folks who use orthotics, it’s likely that you’ll be able to pair them with pretty much any of the footwear featured on our site (popular models for walking include the Lems Primal 3, Xero Prio, and Astral Loyak). You will, most likely, need to remove the included insoles to open up more in-shoe space for the orthotic itself. Combining arch orthotics with wide toe box minimalist footwear is not terribly common, but it is technically possible and can be a novel experience for those who have previously only used orthotics inside tapering toe box footwear.

Our general approach at Natural Footgear is that, if a given approach is working well for you, then by all means, keep running with that. But, as a counterpoint, we also like to introduce the concept of foot and toe rehabilitation to those who have worn conventional footwear and arch orthotics for long periods of time. In our experience, it’s almost never too late to begin building a stronger, more resilient foot through the use of foot-healthy footwear, Correct Toes, and other helpful footgear, the performance of key exercises, and the incorporation of other beneficial natural approaches into your regular foot care regimen. In many cases, employing these approaches can alleviate the need to use conventional arch orthotics by helping your foot to support itself.

Of course, it’s always important to consult a foot care provider to see if a particular strategy or approach is right for you and your unique situation before diving in. And changes should be implemented gradually to ensure that your feet and musculoskeletal system have adequate time to adapt to the new forces acting upon them.

We hope this info helps, Ken! Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any additional questions.

Yours in Foot Health,
Drs. Marty & Robyn Hughes

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