With boot season in full swing, we thought we would provide a little guide for the often mis-understood piece of foot anatomy: The arch.
We cut, trim, polish, and paint our nails to no end, but most of us fail to understand that the arch is an extremely important piece in the overall well-being of our feet. If understood, the arch can make your shoe fit and sizing experience that much more relevant.
Here are a few rules to follow for each arch type:
- If Your Arch Is High: You need neutral cushioned shoes. Look for curved, C-shaped soles and squeeze the heel areas--your ideal shoes should feel stiff, not mushy like the back of a ballet shoe. Also avoid very flat shoes, and look for cushioning under the balls of the feet and a small heel lift.
- If Your Arch Is Normal: Look for semi-curved soles, and stick with the types of shoes that have been comfortable for you in the past. Avoid the extremes: Skip superhigh heels, ballet-style flats, and any shoes you can either roll up in a ball or not bend at all.
- If Your Arch Is Low: You need shoes that offer good arch support to prevent any rolling: steer clear of pairs that are superflexible.
