We all wear shoes, every day. Whether it’s for work, for leisure or for sport, they’re vital to protect our feet and provide comfort.

 

That’s why it’s essential that you choose the right shoe for what you’re doing. After all, your feet are with you throughout your life; they work hard to get you about and they deserve to be protected.

 

With over 100 years experience, we know what it takes to make a comfortable shoe, but you also have to play your part by making sure it’s the right style, the right size and that it meets your specific needs.

 

Choose the right Scholl shoe you’ll enjoy great feeling feet – and this is how to make sure you make the right choice

  

 

 

 

Choosing the right style

We wear shoes for many different reasons - for working, for walking, for exercise, for fun, for style & fashion. But whenever you buy a pair of shoes, one factor should matter above all others: comfort.

 

Whatever you’re doing, if your shoes are uncomfortable, then it’s wrong. It might be that you have a problem with your foot, in which case you should seek advice from a healthcare professional. But it might be that you’re simply wearing the wrong type of shoes for the activity your undertaking. So, your first consideration before buying any pair of shoes is: what are you going to be doing in them?

If they’re for work

Many people are on their feet all the working day. In this case practicality is paramount. Your shoes should be comfortable and well-fitting (See Making sure your shoes are a perfect fit). Thick, flexible, man-made soles are more comfortable than thin or leather soles as they help cushion the impact of your feet with the ground when walking, particularly on hard surfaces. Also think of your working conditions. Indoors or outdoors, wet or dry, hot or cold – always invest in shoes that fits the bill.

If you’re walking

Imagine a pleasant walk in the country. What do your feet need? They need room so that they don’t rub – on top, the sides, at the heel - but not so much that they move too much. A gap of approximately 1cm from the end of your longest toe (which isn’t always your big toe) to the front of your shoe is ideal. As for material, hard-wearing leather uppers are best as they not only mould to the shape of your foot over time, but they also help keep your feet cool and reduce perspiration. To help stop your feet moving about, lace fastenings are best as they can be adjusted to your needs.

If you’re exercising

Whether it’s in a gym, on the road or around the house, comfort is vital to avoid unnecessary injuries and painful problems such as corns, bunions and calluses. There is a wide variety of shoes to choose from depending on your type of exercise or sport, so always make sure you choose appropriate footwear. 

If you’re wearing high heels

The main reason that high heels have such enduring appeal is the way they change the appearance, giving extra height, making people look slimmer and the calf more shapely. Legs look longer, feet look smaller and the arch curves more gracefully making women feel more sensual and sexy. Unfortunately, they can have their drawbacks, pain being the most obvious one.

 

This is because the foot is designed for walking flat. High heels change the foot’s function and performance. Perhaps the most significant change is the increase in weight and pressure on the forefoot, which can lead to a burning sensation. To help avoid this problem, you should treat the purchase of high heels as you would any other shoe.

 

Try to choose styles with straps around the ankle, rather than slip-on styles, as the straps reduce instability. When choosing and wearing high heels, there are a few simple ways to reduce the chance of health problems. (See Making sure your shoes are a perfect fit)

 

A safe, affordable and effective solution to the burning pain that can occur is to wear padding under the balls of the feet, such as Scholl Party Feet.

 

However, burning sensations in the ball of the foot can be a symptom of more serious conditions. If the discomfort does not disappear a short time after removing high-heel shoes, or if it is present when wearing low heels or flat shoes, or when walking barefoot, you should seek advice from a healthcare professional.

  

 

Choosing the perfect fit

Most people know their shoe size, just as they know the size of their waist or bust. And it has the added advantage that, unlike your weight, it won’t change as you grow older! 

 

But do you really wear the right size? Just because that’s what you always wear, you might be causing yourself problems.

 

You also have to take care if you’re pregnant. The increase in body weight and the 'waddling' that comes with accommodating the ‘bump’ sometimes causes foot problems, such as the build up of hard skin, corns and calluses. And the extra weight, together with hormonal changes which relax the veins in your leg, may also cause tired, aching legs and swollen ankles

 

So ask yourself these simple questions – and see if you really are wearing the perfect shoe.

Can you feet move freely? 

Make sure you can wriggle your toes, the uppers aren’t too tight and restrictive, and there’s no rubbing or pinching at the sides or around the heel.

How much room have you at the front of your toes?

Fashion dictates shoe shape, but even with a pointed shoe, there should be at least 1cm between your longest toe (not your biggest toe) and the front of the shoe. If your toes hurt or your toenails catch inside you shoe, there could be a problem.

Do your feet move about too much inside your shoe?

Whilst your feet should feel unconfined, there is such a thing as too much freedom! Make sure your shoes’ fastening, laces and elastic insets hold the foot firm without rubbing or restricting movement.

Is walking on hard surfaces painful?

A cushioned insole can help ensure that  walking on any surface remains a comfortable experience.

Your at-a-glance guide to the perfect fitting shoe

Length - Approximately 1cm additional length from the end of your longest toe (which isn’t always your big toe)

 

Width - You shouldn’t be able to feel the outline of the little toe bulging through your shoe

 

Depth - It should not be too deep (which will lead to creasing) or too shallow (which will be too tight)

 

Instep – If you have a very high instep certain styles of shoe will not be comfortable e.g. a high fronted slip-on

 

Arch – The contours of the shoe arch should suit the natural contours of your foot arch 

 

Top lines - Make sure the edges of your shoe and the straps don’t catch the skin around the ankle bones, heel and top of the foot

 

Back of shoe - There should be no gap

 

Heel grip – Your heel shouldn’t slip up and down when you walk

 

Walking – Quite simply you should find walking comfortable and easy

 

Your feet go everywhere with you, so make sure they’re as comfortable as possible!

 

Scholl Footwear Technologies

However stylish a pair of shoes may seem, what you can’t see is every bit as important as what you can. The Scholl footwear range represents the perfect partnership of footcare technology and fashion design. Recognisably Scholl, with all the heritage and individuality of a truly unique brand, the range uses new materials and new advances in comfort and support, alongside iconic features such as the signature Scholl buckle.

All our shoes incorporate Scholl’s exclusive comfort technologies and combine the designer’s eye for style and elegance with the expert knowledge of what’s best for healthy feet. Work or play, summer or winter, you’ll enjoy the comfort of our unique comfort technologies.

Designed to help you walk for longer and still feel as fresh as if you were walking barefoot. Bioprint is the most natural and comfortable way of walking we've devised to date. It has a super flexible foot bed with anatomically designed flex zones. Combined with a comfortable arch and heel height plus stable heel cup design, Bioprint ensures that your foot is positioned for balanced weight distribution and improved posture.

Scholl Gelactiv

Reducing fatigue and reviving tired legs however long you’re on your feet, Gelactiv has been designed to absorb the impact created when walking. It achieves this through Technogel in the heel, an innovative material that is well-known for its ability to cope with impacts. Enjoy great posture and maximum comfort without sacrificing any style!

 

Scholl Exercise

 The original and renowned Scholl Exercise Sandal is designed to provide support for your foot in all the right places, and has been proven to tone leg muscles by up to 30% as you walk.  With its beautiful contoured beech wood footbed,  resilient sole for effective gripping  and soft leather-uppers featuring the iconic Scholl buckle, it's been giving feet and legs a gentle workout for more than 40 years.