There are many different types of footwear to consider when shopping for a new pair of shoes, so always be sure to consider the arch type you have and keep its intended purpose in mind, as they are all designed to fit a specific need.
Specialty shoes are a broad class of footwear that offer a huge variety of additional features that are meant to help improve a certain aspect of your life. This could be for work or for other health benefits, such as diabetes. Purchasing a specialty shoe will depend on what exactly you are looking for, in terms of performance. Let's take a look at some of the most popular specialty shoes out there!
Orthopedic shoes are shoes designed specifically to accommodate or support the mechanics and structure of the foot, ankle and leg. All footwear is designed to provide protection and support for our feet, but people with certain foot problems (e.g., flat feet, bunions, hammer toes) need additional support. Orthopedic shoes offer more support and help alleviate pain, so they are meant for people who need additional care, as they provide a variety of medically beneficial features and functions that separate them from everyday footwear. These shoe features include:
Diabetic neuropathy affects nearly 60-70% of people suffering from diabetes. It tends to damage the nerves in the feet and legs, causing people afflicted to lose sensation in those areas. Additionally, peripheral vascular disease causes blood flow to slow down, inhibiting the healing process so that cuts and sores take a longer time to heal. This is why it is important for diabetics to protect their feet as best they can. Diabetic shoes are specially designed to protect the feet, enhance overall foot health and reduce the risk of skin breaking down. A lot of the features in orthopedic shoes can actually be seen in diabetic shoes as well:
If you've ever worked in the restaurant industry, or perhaps as a maid or nurse, then you may be familiar with the class of working shoes known as non-slip shoes. Non-slip shoes are important for the safety of many workers in various different industries. They mean just that: non-slip. Non-slip shoes offer a softer rubber sole that is slip-resistance in moisture, whereas other rubber soles are meant to be slip-resistant on dry surfaces, such as a basketball court. They also provide an open tread pattern that enhances grip by channeling moisture out from underneath your shoe. Non-slip shoe companies also understand that their customers are most likely individuals who are on their feet for long periods of time, so they make sure that their shoes also offer greater comfort and shock absorption.
Dress shoes are a type of specialty shoe meant to be worn at more formal occasions. Most men’s dress shoes are made out of leather and come in a wide array of colors. The typical styles of men’s dress shoes include;
Dress shoes for women are meant to be worn at formal occasions and often come in a variety of different materials. Women's dress shoes also have a wider variety of acceptable colors than men's dress shoes, which are usually neutral colors. Some styles of women’s dress shoes include:
Golf shoes are a popular specialty shoe designed for athletic footwear. People often increase their chance of injury when participating in sports if they are not wearing the proper equipment or footwear designed specifically for the sport. A lot of golfing newbies make the mistake of simply just throwing on whatever pair of shoes they have when going golfing for the first time. However, what they do not know is that golf shoes, made specifically for golfing (obviously), provide a multitude of benefits that can really enhance their performance. Those benefits include:
The importance with any athletic shoe is its design to prevent injury, so picking the best shoe for your respective activity is very important. Walking shoes are a type of shoe meant to be comfortable and prevent injuries such as blisters or calluses. They typically offer a lightweight sole and Achilles tendon protection, and are constructed to be more flexible through the ball of the foot to allow a greater range of motion. Additionally, they have better arch support and are shock-absorbent to allow for the best experience possible while on a long walk.
In conclusion, there are many different types of footwear to consider when shopping for a new pair of shoes, so always be sure to consider the arch type you have and keep its intended purpose in mind, as they are all designed to fit a specific need.
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When it comes to back pain, shoes are often the last thing anyone thinks about. They might see a chiropractor. They might try yoga. They’ll even try a very expensive new mattress. Millions of people across the country suffer from back pain. And research shows back pain is one of the leading causes of missed work.
Shannon Scott
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