Educational Articles: Footwear: Problems

Myths abound in the footwear industry, and many types of shoes that are purported to be “good for your feet” can actually lead to foot pain and problems. In this article, we take a closer look at clogs, a style of shoe that many believe promotes foot health but is, unfortunately, a common contributer to a variety of foot ills. Read on to learn all about clogs and why they... Read more

The flip-flops discussion—are they healthy, are they not—seems to come up every year once the weather turns nice. There are wide-ranging opinions on the merits and pitfalls of flip-flops for foot health, and many healthcare professionals possess strong views on this ubiquitous warm weather footwear. In fact, the topic of flip-flops often generates a lot of controversy, seemingly out of proportion with the somewhat unexceptional nature of this subject matter.... Read more

Foot binding, the practice of tightly binding the foot to stifle foot growth, was performed on young, upper class girls in China to make their movements and gait appear more feminine, and it was practiced even well into the 20th century. This practice caused extreme pain and long-term disabilities in those who underwent the procedure, and some elderly individuals in China may still suffer from the debilitating effects of this... Read more

Despite changes in materials and construction techniques, not much about the shape of cycling shoes has changed over the years. Cycling shoes, like rock-climbing shoes and soccer cleats, are notoriously constricting (and uncomfortable) footwear, as they hold the big and little toes in bunion and bunionette configuration, respectively, for prolonged periods during rides. They also contribute to hot spots, ingrown toenails, plantar fascia pain, hammertoes, and other foot problems. Read more

What foot issues are commonly caused by women's fashion footwear? Many. Among the most common are bunions, plantar fasciosis (often inaccurately referred to as plantar "fasciitis"), hammertoes, neuromas, and ingrown toenails. There are three main "features" of fashion footwear that, over time, cause foot problems in women. These design elements are heel elevation (the heel is elevated above the forefoot), tapering toe box (the toe box gets narrower as it... Read more

You’re a contemporary fashionista who dresses to impress. You faithfully don your high heels to conform to business dress standards, impress your employees, boss, or coworkers, and look fierce, maybe even sexy. You’re aware that wearing your fashionable heels may result in painful footsteps, but, well, you’re willing to squeeze them on for the sake of good looks. If this description mirrors your experience and thoughts, you may, unfortunately, be... Read more

If you look at the foot of a young child, you will notice that his or her toes are spaced well apart. The foot of a young child is naturally designed for optimal balance and gait, and if the foot maintains this shape, optimal stride is preserved through old age: a finding observed in barefoot populations the world over. In industrialized societies, however, people spend a lifetime wearing shoes with... Read more

Knee osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease, is a common health problem in the United States, especially among the elderly. This health problem, notes the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, is one of the top five most common causes of disability in older individuals. The risk for knee osteoarthritis-related disability, states the Academy, is comparable to the likelihood of disability from cardiovascular disease. Knee osteoarthritis is defined by the loss of... Read more

Heel elevation is a design element present in almost every shoe, from dress shoes to work boots to running shoes, though there is little (if any) compelling evidence to account for its inclusion in shoes or other footwear. Most people in the United States and other parts of the world begin wearing shoes when they learn to walk, some even before. Almost all shoes, including children’s shoes, possess heel elevation,... Read more

We often receive the following question (or slight variations thereof) from readers and customers who are interested in determining the proper width of shoe to purchase: I had my foot width measured at a local shoe store and was told that I need a wide shoe. Will the shoes you offer on your site work for me and my feet? First, let me say that conventional foot and shoe width... Read more

Propping up the foot arch is a common approach used by physicians to help treat certain foot and ankle disorders. Arch support is also a design feature commonly touted by shoe manufacturers as beneficial. But we thought it would be helpful to discuss what arch support really means and whether it’s truly necessary—or even desired—in the foot. To understand our arch support philosophy, it’s important to understand the architectural principle... Read more

In this short video, Dr. Ray McClanahan, a sports podiatrist at Northwest Foot and Ankle and the inventor of Correct Toes, demonstrates true, anatomically correct foot position and posture. Dr. Ray discusses the effects of conventional footwear on foot arch stability and how some common shoe design features actually work against the inherent strength of the foot to deform and destabilize. Learn more about natural foot structure and posture in... Read more

Truly exceptional footwear allows your foot to function like a healthy bare foot inside your shoe. Most conventional footwear, however, from dress shoes to work boots to running shoes, includes a number of problematic design features—we'll refer to them as design “elements” from here on, rather than features, as “features” imply something positive or helpful—that either deform your feet over time or cause you to experience foot and lower extremity... Read more

Rigid, inflexible soles are a common inclusion in most conventional footwear. Most shoe manufacturers have taken the idea of foot sole protection and gone well beyond what is necessary or healthy for your foot. In most cases, only a thin layer of material between your foot and the ground is required for adequate foot protection. And people who have grown up in a barefoot culture may not require any sort... Read more

In this video, Dr. Ray McClanahan, a sports podiatrist at Northwest Foot and Ankle and the inventor of Correct Toes, describes the Shoe Liner Test and explains why excessive pronation is such a common problem in our society. The Shoe Liner Test is a simple test that involves pulling the liner out of your shoe (or a shoe that you are thinking of buying) and standing on it. If any... Read more

In this video, Dr. Ray McClanahan, a sports podiatrist at Northwest Foot and Ankle and the inventor of Correct Toes, discusses the method that's historically been used for shoe sizing and why this technique falls short (and, in fact, often leads to a variety of foot and toe problems). He also demonstrates a better way to size shoes that respects the shape of the natural human foot. Here are some... Read more

Toe box taper—the narrowing of a shoe from the ball of your foot to the ends of your toes—is one of the most harmful features of conventional footwear. It's difficult to find a pair of shoes or boots (or even sandals) that are wider at the ends of your toes than the ball of your foot. Most shoes and boots, including athletic models, force your toes into a wedge position... Read more

For decades, we, as footwear consumers and users, have been told that we need plenty of padding in our shoes and under our feet to help boost comfort and buffer the forces on our bodies that occur during standing, walking, running, and jumping. Like many things in the health arena, this information has become common knowledge and accepted as fact. Shoe industry bigwigs along with countless healthcare professionals have championed... Read more

Toe spring is a toe-deforming shoe feature present in most shoes, including athletic shoes. Toe spring is the elevation of your shoe’s toe box above the ground or supporting surface. The current industry standard for toe spring for most types of footwear is 15 degrees. This means that most shoes hold, or immobilize, your toes in an unnatural, extended position. This immobilization is problematic because your toes function on a... Read more

The need for natural and conservative alternatives to conventional foot and toe treatments has never been greater. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, approximately 43.1 million Americans have foot problems, and the cost of foot surgery to correct problems associated with improper footwear—bunions, hammertoes, corns and calluses, among others—is about $2 billion per year. The cost rises to $3.5 billion when you factor in lost work time for... Read more

In this video, Dr. Ray McClanahan, a sports podiatrist at Northwest Foot and Ankle and the inventor of Correct Toes, examines foot cramps and discusses the most common medical reasons for this foot health issue, including electrolyte abnormalities, poor circulation, medication side effects, and various nerve problems. Dr. Ray also notes that the most common cause of foot cramps is conventional footwear that possesses heel elevation and toe spring. In... Read more

Being in the business of foot-healthy shoes and natural footgear, one question we're often asked by customers and readers of our blog is the following: “What do you think about those toe shoes?” Those toe shoes, of course, being the distinctive and famous Vibram FiveFingers! We have a long personal history with FiveFingers shoes that stretches back over a decade, and in this article, we'll share with you our own... Read more

Hiking—in all its many manifestations—is a hugely popular outdoor pastime, and almost everyone seems to have an opinion about what kind of footwear is best for this beloved activity. This article takes a closer look at hiking boots and discusses some of the most common misconceptions about this important type of footwear. We debunk the biggest hiking boot myths and examine why conventional hiking boots cause foot problems in so... Read more

Despite fluctuations in the footwear industry (such as the relatively recent embrace of “maximalist” shoes by manufacturers), the interest in more minimalist footwear continues, with many consumers wanting to try something new and novel. More and more minimalist footwear companies are popping up, and many conventional shoe manufacturers are still offering “minimalist” models for the subset of their customer base interested in less shoe. We welcome this change in mindset... Read more