FAQ - Footwear
- Which sports shoes or trainers are best for my feet?
- Can I wear orthoses with sandals?
- Are flip-flops good or bad for my feet?
Which sports shoes or trainers are best for my feet?
A number of sports shoes are available which have specialised features to control abnormally functioning feet. Those individuals with flat feet are often best suited to a stability trainer and the Centre would be happy to make appropriate recommendations during a consultation.
Some shoe manufacturers make all sorts of claims about their shoes and the Centre does see many patients with "shoe inflicted" injury. It is therefore important to get this essential piece of equipment right!
The Centre regularly tests different trainers to determine which is most effective for their patients. It is difficult to make specific recommendations as this would depend on the individual, but an example of a good trainer for moderate to marked abnormal pronation (i.e. feet that are flat) is the Asics GT2140 (2009 model). This trainer is also available in black thus making it useful for those who require a more subtle colour scheme.
Can I wear orthoses with sandals?
Orthoses can be worn with sandals have insoles which can be removed and replaced by a custom orthotic. A small section of Velcro will keep the orthoses in place. Suitable sandals can be purchased from the London Podiatry Centre. Please view our sandal catalogue or contact the Centre for more information.
An alternative is to find a sandal with a closed back such as those made by NAOT. These can be bought from:
Natural Footwear Centre
1029 Finchley Road
London
NW11 7ES
United Kingdom
Tel: (020) 8731 9489
Are flip-flops good or bad for my feet?
This type of footwear is not ideal for feet as it offers very little support. Toes tend to "claw" as a result and the soft nature of the sole material often distorts very easily. Ladies who wear higher heels throughout the winter are more susceptible to injury if they then convert to a flat flip-flop for summer, because their calf muscles may not be able to tolerate the sudden increase in tension. This can lead to a variety of symptoms including plantar fasciitis (heel pain) and Achilles tendon injuries and back pain.
Injuries caused by flat shoes are seen on a weekly basis at The London Podiatric Centre, where patients have suddenly converted from a higher heeled shoe to a flat shoe.
The "fit-flop" pictured below offers certain advantages including a more substantial heel and this shoe is therefore recommended over conventional flip flops. However, for more supportive sandals (which can accommodate orthoses if required) please see our sandal information.
