,Test Your Shoe Flexibility
Twist them and Bend Them or Toss Them
By Wendy Bumgardner, About.com
Updated February 06, 2004
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review B
Walking is a natural rolling motion from heel to toe, your foot bending at the ball on each step. If your walking shoes are not flexible enough, your ankle and shin muscles end up fighting your shoes and you set yourself up for injury as well as tired legs and feet. Many shoes marketed as walking shoes are not flexible. Most running shoes are flexible, but may not bend in the right place.
Twist them: Grab the shoe with both hands and twist in opposite directions. It should twist a little.
Bend them: Try to bend the shoe in half, pushing the heel towards the toe. The shoe should bend at the ball of the foot. Some running shoes bend in the middle of the arch, which is not the right place for walkers.
Poke them: Place the shoe on a level surface. Poke the toe down, the heel should raise up off the surface. This natural curvature will help you roll through the step.
Other Things to Look For
Low Heel: Walking shoes should not have a high heel, it should be no more than an inch higher than the sole under the ball of the foot.
No Flare: Some shoes have a flared heel to give running stability. Avoid this for walking shoes, instead look for heels that are even undercut at the back to allow for good heel strike and roll through the step.
My thoughts
So, the key is flexibility. Your beautiful shoes should be flexible enough to bend and twist as you walk
Monday, September 21, 2009
How beautiful shoes are constructed
Shoe Construction
What They Mean by Boards and Lasts
By Wendy Bumgardner, About.com
Updated July 30, 2007
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board
Remove the insole of the shoe and you can find out many things about its construction.
Slip lasted shoes: A sewn seam runs the length of the shoe. Most flexible. Less stable. Good construction for feet with high arches.
Board lasted shoes: A cardboard board runs the length of the shoe. Very stable. Less flexible. Good construction for flatter feet.
Combination lasted shoes: Cardboard in the rear half, and a seam up the front half. More flexible than board lasted shoes, and more stable than slip lasted shoes.
Outer Sole
Carbon rubber is very durable, but is heavy and not very flexible. A blown rubber outsole is lightweight, but not very durable.
Shoe Last
Look at the bottom of the shoe to see which last the shoe was formed on.
Curved last: A thin strip connects the heel and ball of the foot. Makes the shoe light and flexible and is intended for people with a high arch.
Semi-curved last: is more flexible than the straight last, yet more stable than the curved last. It has a wider strip connecting the heel and ball of the foot. It is intended for people with normal arches.
Straight last: are the least flexible and the most stable. They are intended for people with flat feet.
Wet Test: To tell what type of foot you have, dunk your foot in water and then place it on a surface that will leave an imprint of your foot. If the ball and heel of your foot are not joined or are joined by a narrow band, then you have a high arched foot. If they are joined by a wide band, then you have a normal foot. If they are joined by a really wide band and have little flair where the arch should be, then you have a flat foot.
My thoughts
I like this wet test. Will check on this later. will probebaly be between normal to flat. no wonder we can hardly stand after wearing beautiful shoes with heels.
What They Mean by Boards and Lasts
By Wendy Bumgardner, About.com
Updated July 30, 2007
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board
Remove the insole of the shoe and you can find out many things about its construction.
Slip lasted shoes: A sewn seam runs the length of the shoe. Most flexible. Less stable. Good construction for feet with high arches.
Board lasted shoes: A cardboard board runs the length of the shoe. Very stable. Less flexible. Good construction for flatter feet.
Combination lasted shoes: Cardboard in the rear half, and a seam up the front half. More flexible than board lasted shoes, and more stable than slip lasted shoes.
Outer Sole
Carbon rubber is very durable, but is heavy and not very flexible. A blown rubber outsole is lightweight, but not very durable.
Shoe Last
Look at the bottom of the shoe to see which last the shoe was formed on.
Curved last: A thin strip connects the heel and ball of the foot. Makes the shoe light and flexible and is intended for people with a high arch.
Semi-curved last: is more flexible than the straight last, yet more stable than the curved last. It has a wider strip connecting the heel and ball of the foot. It is intended for people with normal arches.
Straight last: are the least flexible and the most stable. They are intended for people with flat feet.
Wet Test: To tell what type of foot you have, dunk your foot in water and then place it on a surface that will leave an imprint of your foot. If the ball and heel of your foot are not joined or are joined by a narrow band, then you have a high arched foot. If they are joined by a wide band, then you have a normal foot. If they are joined by a really wide band and have little flair where the arch should be, then you have a flat foot.
My thoughts
I like this wet test. Will check on this later. will probebaly be between normal to flat. no wonder we can hardly stand after wearing beautiful shoes with heels.
Shoe types
Shoe Types
Choices of Shoes for Your Best Fit
By Wendy Bumgardner, About.com
Updated March 19, 2007
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board
Motion Control Shoes (MC)
Top Picks for Motion Control Shoes
Motion control shoes are the most rigid shoes. They are designed to be inflexible because they are meant to limit overpronation. They are generally heavy, but durable. Many are built upon a straight last, and may have a dual density midsole, with the denser material on the inside of the foot to help correct for pronation. Primarily, motion control shoes are for over-pronators and heavier people. Often people with flat feet do well in these shoes. The problem with most motion control shoes is that they tend to have a thick heel which makes walking in them the same as walking uphill with every step.
Stability Shoes
Top Picks for Stability Shoes
Stability shoes are a compromise type of shoe. They are more flexible than a motion control shoe while providing good support and durability. Often they are built upon a semi-curved last and may have a dual density midsole for support. Stability shoes are for people who do not have severe motion control problems and midweight people. They tend to have a thick heel as well, though not as thick as a motion control shoe which makes walking in them the same as walking uphill with every step.
Cushioned Shoes
Top Picks for Cushioned Shoes
Cushioned Shoes generally have the softest midsoles, the least support, but are very flexible. Usually they are built upon a semi- curved or curved last. These shoes are for people who do not overpronate or need extra support. Often people with high arches do well in these shoes. Again, a thick heel makes it the same as walking uphill with every step.
Lightweight Trainer/Racer
Top Picks for Performance Training Shoes
These shoes are lighter versions of standard trainers and are used for fast paced training or racing.
Racing Flats
These shoes tend to have very little stability, cushioning, or durability. However, this also means that they have a low heel, are flexible, and are very light.
Race Walker Shoes
Top Picks for Racewalking Shoes
These shoes are built to accommodate the motion of race walking and are similar to racing flats. They tend to not have a thick midsole nor knobs or lugs on the outsole.
Lightweight Hiking and Trail Shoes
Top Picks for Trail Shoes
Designed for day hiking and short trips, often with rugged-looking soles and outdoorsy colors. Designed to be breathable, comfortable, and cushioned, sacrificing support and durability compared to boots.
Midweight Boots
Designed for trail hiking and off-trail hiking with light to moderate backpacking loads. More durable and supporting, but still designed for short trips over moderate terrain.
Extended Backpacking Boots
Designed for hiking with moderate to heavy backpacking loads, multi-day trips, rough terrain. Durable and supportive with ankle and foot protection.
Choices of Shoes for Your Best Fit
By Wendy Bumgardner, About.com
Updated March 19, 2007
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board
Motion Control Shoes (MC)
Top Picks for Motion Control Shoes
Motion control shoes are the most rigid shoes. They are designed to be inflexible because they are meant to limit overpronation. They are generally heavy, but durable. Many are built upon a straight last, and may have a dual density midsole, with the denser material on the inside of the foot to help correct for pronation. Primarily, motion control shoes are for over-pronators and heavier people. Often people with flat feet do well in these shoes. The problem with most motion control shoes is that they tend to have a thick heel which makes walking in them the same as walking uphill with every step.
Stability Shoes
Top Picks for Stability Shoes
Stability shoes are a compromise type of shoe. They are more flexible than a motion control shoe while providing good support and durability. Often they are built upon a semi-curved last and may have a dual density midsole for support. Stability shoes are for people who do not have severe motion control problems and midweight people. They tend to have a thick heel as well, though not as thick as a motion control shoe which makes walking in them the same as walking uphill with every step.
Cushioned Shoes
Top Picks for Cushioned Shoes
Cushioned Shoes generally have the softest midsoles, the least support, but are very flexible. Usually they are built upon a semi- curved or curved last. These shoes are for people who do not overpronate or need extra support. Often people with high arches do well in these shoes. Again, a thick heel makes it the same as walking uphill with every step.
Lightweight Trainer/Racer
Top Picks for Performance Training Shoes
These shoes are lighter versions of standard trainers and are used for fast paced training or racing.
Racing Flats
These shoes tend to have very little stability, cushioning, or durability. However, this also means that they have a low heel, are flexible, and are very light.
Race Walker Shoes
Top Picks for Racewalking Shoes
These shoes are built to accommodate the motion of race walking and are similar to racing flats. They tend to not have a thick midsole nor knobs or lugs on the outsole.
Lightweight Hiking and Trail Shoes
Top Picks for Trail Shoes
Designed for day hiking and short trips, often with rugged-looking soles and outdoorsy colors. Designed to be breathable, comfortable, and cushioned, sacrificing support and durability compared to boots.
Midweight Boots
Designed for trail hiking and off-trail hiking with light to moderate backpacking loads. More durable and supporting, but still designed for short trips over moderate terrain.
Extended Backpacking Boots
Designed for hiking with moderate to heavy backpacking loads, multi-day trips, rough terrain. Durable and supportive with ankle and foot protection.
a guide to walking shoes
Walking Shoe Guide
The Best Shoes for Walking
By Wendy Bumgardner, About.com
Updated June 16, 2009
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board
Walking shoes are your most important item of gear. Our walking shoe gear guide will help you decide which to buy, where to buy, and reader reviews of shoes.
The Best Shoe
There is no one best shoe. The best shoe for you is the the one that fits you best, the one that gives you the proper support, flexibility, cushioning, and compensates for any stride problems you may have, such as overpronation. Each person's feet are different. Take all advice with a grain of salt and find a shoe fitting expert to help you find the shoe that is best for your walking distance, speed, style, and surface as well as your weight and stride.
Walking or Running Shoes?
Shoe manufacturers are putting the best design and technology into running shoe styles, while walking shoe styles are being designed primarily for market appeal rather than performance. Follow the tips on the upcoming pages to see whether that walking shoe you are interested really meets your needs, or if you should go with a running shoe design.
Essential Walking Shoe Qualities:
•Flexible: You must be able to bend and twist the shoes. When you take a walking step, your foot will flex as you roll through a step from heel to toe. If the shoe is too stiff, your foot will fight it with each step.
•Flat: Walking shoes should have a relatively flat heel.
•Heel Not Flared: Since walkers strike with the heel first, you do not want a big flared heel. In fact, a slightly undercut heel is preferred.
Boots for Walkers?
Many long distance walkers wear hiking boots. I noted over half of the walkers on half-marathon to marathon distance walks in Europe were wearing boots. However, boots do not provide motion control features that many people need, and may be inflexible and heavy. Walkers may discover that they need a boot for the trail but not for the street.
My thoughts
Had this article been available years ago, I could have saved my feet from a lot of pain. How may times have we hurt ourselves with the wrong beauiful shoes. We can wear beautiful shoes but we need to choose the right ones.
The Best Shoes for Walking
By Wendy Bumgardner, About.com
Updated June 16, 2009
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board
Walking shoes are your most important item of gear. Our walking shoe gear guide will help you decide which to buy, where to buy, and reader reviews of shoes.
The Best Shoe
There is no one best shoe. The best shoe for you is the the one that fits you best, the one that gives you the proper support, flexibility, cushioning, and compensates for any stride problems you may have, such as overpronation. Each person's feet are different. Take all advice with a grain of salt and find a shoe fitting expert to help you find the shoe that is best for your walking distance, speed, style, and surface as well as your weight and stride.
Walking or Running Shoes?
Shoe manufacturers are putting the best design and technology into running shoe styles, while walking shoe styles are being designed primarily for market appeal rather than performance. Follow the tips on the upcoming pages to see whether that walking shoe you are interested really meets your needs, or if you should go with a running shoe design.
Essential Walking Shoe Qualities:
•Flexible: You must be able to bend and twist the shoes. When you take a walking step, your foot will flex as you roll through a step from heel to toe. If the shoe is too stiff, your foot will fight it with each step.
•Flat: Walking shoes should have a relatively flat heel.
•Heel Not Flared: Since walkers strike with the heel first, you do not want a big flared heel. In fact, a slightly undercut heel is preferred.
Boots for Walkers?
Many long distance walkers wear hiking boots. I noted over half of the walkers on half-marathon to marathon distance walks in Europe were wearing boots. However, boots do not provide motion control features that many people need, and may be inflexible and heavy. Walkers may discover that they need a boot for the trail but not for the street.
My thoughts
Had this article been available years ago, I could have saved my feet from a lot of pain. How may times have we hurt ourselves with the wrong beauiful shoes. We can wear beautiful shoes but we need to choose the right ones.
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