Best Time for Trying Shoes

Host: When it comes to knowledge about shoes, are you staying on your toes? We paid a visit to a shoe store and host an Everwell challenge to shoppers. See how you measure up. Okay first question, what’s the best time to try on shoes? Is it A, first thing in the morning, B, after a meal, C, in the evening. Female: First thing in the morning. Female: In the morning. Female: Evening for me. Host: Why? Female: Because that’s the time that I am free. Host: For the correct answer, we turn to podiatrist, Dr. Kirk Geter. Dr. Kirk Geter: The answer is C, evening. Host: Dr. Kirk Geter says, our feet tend to swell as the day goes on and our largest in the late afternoon or evening. Dr. Kirk Geter: And if the shoe feels well, then it will feel well at any other time during the day. Host: You’re just getting your feet wet. On to question two, how much space should there be between your longest toe and the end of your shoe? Male: Are you serious you’re asking me that question. Less than a quarter of an inch. Female: Oh less than an inch, the other will be too big. Female: Half an inch. Dr. Kirk Geter: The answer is a half an inch. Host: How did you know that? Female: My mom told me. Dr. Kirk Geter: The best way to measure the distance, to make sure that the shoe is appropriate is to use your thumb as a guide. So you can use the width of the thumb as a gauge for half an inch. Host: Have we tripped you up yet? Try question three. If your shoes wear out first on the inner edge it’s a sign of a, ankle weakness, b, low arches, c a narrow foot. Male: Probably low arch. I don’t know. Female: Probably narrow foot, I'm not sure. Female: I would say it would probably be low arches. Dr. Kirk Geter: The answer is b, low arches. Individuals can have several different foot types. If one was an over-pronator, they would tend to have a very flattened arch, they would not have an arch in this area at all. They tend to wear out the inside or the medial side of the shoe a lot faster because their foot rolls in more than it should. Host: When buying an athletic shoe, over-pronators should choose one with motion control to provide stability. Dr. Kirk Geter: Under pronators just the opposite, arch is a lot higher, so they tend to come down on their heel a lot harder and they require a lot more of sock absorption protection. Host: That means a cushion shoe with a soft mid sole. People with neutral arches, need what’s known as a stability shoe with a firm mid sole. Not putting your best foot forward, here is another chance. True or false, wearing flip flops is good for you feet? Female: Not for very long. Female: Probably false. Host: Why? Female: They don’t give much support. So it's kind of bad, but I love flip flops. Dr. Kirk Geter: The answer is false. Flip-flops, especially, the plastic flip flops that aren’t supportive or the ones made out of foam just don’t have any support. And some flip flops will have the area between the first and the second toe, where slide your foot into where it can cause irritation or blisters. Host: He says flip-flops are generally fine to wear for short periods, but not all day. Okay, time to step up for our last question. High heeled shoes can lead to which of the following? A, back pain, B, leg injuries, C, arthritis. Female: Leg problems. Male: I would guess bad pain, just by looking. Female: All of the above, probably everything. Host: Can’t fool her. Dr. Kirk Geter: Answer would be all of the above. So if you really think about what a high heel shoe is, it’s actually elevation of the foot towards the front. So, imagine the person’s back or their lower back or their pelvis area leaning forward. Host: That can lead to low back pain and problems with calf muscles. And by putting more stress on the knees, it can increase the risk of osteoarthritis. To help avoid all of these problems, limit the amount of time you spend in high heels and when you do wear them, choose ones with thicker heels and a more gradual slope. So, how well did our shoppers think on their feet? Female: You can learn something, see you keep learning. Host: I would say you did very well in this test. Thank you very much. Female: Awesome!