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This holds true for all sorts of footwear, not just the special-occasion kind.

painfulshoes

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They can lead to pain if youre not careful.

National Library of Medicine.

Significant weight fluctuations, like gaining weight duringpregnancy, can change your shoe size, too.

So can having bunions or hammertoes, or having a condition likerheumatoid arthritisthat can causejoints to swell.

The particular demands for those two types of feet are drastically different.

In someone with low arches, the curves between the balls and heels of theirfeetare closer to the ground.

Someone with high-arched feet has taller gaps there.

Chat with a podiatrist or visit a fitness or speciality shoe shop to figure out whats best for you.

The shoe should match your activity, Sutera says.

You mainly need arch support and enough cushioning for proper shock absorption, she explains.

That means high heels are generally out (though, hey, there are always exceptions).

Dont just buy sneakers based on how they look or because a fitness Instagrammer you love swears by them.

If its financially feasible, consider having different kinds of sneakers for theworkoutsyou do most often.

While this might seem like the shoe industrys way of getting you to shop more, its actually legit.

Running and walking shoes are made with forward motion as the top priority.

You shouldnt rush the process, though.

Sutera does not approve.

Instead, venture to take it slowly.

Its best to wear a shoe a little at a time until it loosens naturally, Sutera says.

For a lot of people, goingbarefootis about ultimate comfort, not an issue that needs fixing.

Over time … this padding starts to become thin and wears down, she explains.

There are some decent over-the-counter ones available that match or rival custom inserts, Gillanders says.

Many people only throw away a pair of shoes when the soles are worn down, Gillanders says.

This can cause pain in your feet, knees, hips, and back, she says.

Unfortunately, this can also happen way before your shoes soles prompt a shopping trip.

They should not be uneven or warped.

Shoes, like clothes, are pretty personal.