If you care about your foot health, your shoes matter more than you think. While trendy sneakers, sky-high heels, and ultra-flexible flats may look stylish, experts warn they could be silently sabotaging your joints, bones, and posture. That’s why podiatrists—medical professionals who specialize in foot and ankle health—are urging people to take a second look at their footwear choices.
In a series of TikTok videos, Singapore-based podiatrist Paul Macaulay, who posts under the handle @paulthepodiatrist, is on a mission to educate adults about foot health and the best shoes to make them feel comfortable and protected. Here is what he says are the worst three pairs of shoes he “would never wear,” and which alternatives are much healthier and safer.
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1 | Flip-flops
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Unsurprisingly, one of the first shoes Macaulay identified as a “don’t” is the flip-flop.
“When you put your foot through the loops, you have to grip onto the shoe, and that can cause claw toeing,” he says. “Also, when you’re walking down the street, it’s very easy to trip and fall when you’re wearing these, and they don’t offer your feet any support.”
All three issues can cause aches and pains, as well as unsightly calluses.
2 | Stilettos
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Stiletto heels are often uncomfortable, but that’s not the only reason Macaulay dislikes them. He explains that because they have such a thin base, it can be much more difficult to stabilize yourself, adding that a colleague recently fell in a pair and broke her foot.
“Such a high risk of injury isn’t worth it, even to look nice,” he says.
According to the Mayo Clinic, high heels can also put pressure on the small bones in your toes, possibly causing bunions and hammertoes. Plus, they cause the Achilles tendon to shorten, which can lead to injury over time.
However, the podiatrist isn’t against all types of heels. “A one-and-a-half-inch heel is OK for most people,” Macaulay says.
If you’re looking to strut more safely, opt for something with a block heel.
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3 | Skechers
The last shoe Macaulay says to skip is the most surprising: Skechers sneakers.
“The slip-on ones are made tighter to hold onto your feet and can squeeze your toes and cause problems such as neuromas,” he says.
A neuroma is caused by thickened tissue on the ball of the foot, which can lead to pain that feels similar to standing on a pebble, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Beyond that, he says the shoes are extremely soft, meaning your feet have to do more work. “It may feel good, but then later on through the day, you’re foot is more tired,” he notes.
His last concern with these shoes is their longevity.
“They wear out so quickly, and even though they seem like a great deal, you must replace them every one to two months,” he says. “I don’t think that’s very good.”
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Which shoes to wear instead: 1 | Boat Shoes with removable insoles
In another video on TikTok, Macaulay said there are three shoes he wears often and recommends.
The first is a Burnished Tan Leather Boat Shoes from Bared Footwear. Macaulay likes that they have a “mechanical footbed” and removable insoles, which means he can put his own insoles into them to customize the fit and add support.
He also likes that there’s lots of space inside the shoes, so his toes aren’t cramped.
Finally, they have a small block heel, which he says takes some stress off the calf and the top of the Achilles tendon. “That prevents a lot of people’s issues,” he shares.
3 | Nike Air Force 1s
Macaulay’s final favorite shoe is the Nike Air Force 1. “This is a great shoe for going to the mall, going for dinner, meeting my friends, and things like that when I’m tending to do maybe 2,000 to 5,000 steps,” he says.
He likes the extra-wide toe area, the lace-up design, and the fact that it has a higher top that offers ankle stability.
Content shared from bestlifeonline.com.