We expect a lot from our feet
You depend on them to walk, run, skip, and dance. With each step you take, your foot strikes the ground with more than three times your body weight, and you ask them to do this thousands of times per day. Your feet depend on you, too. It’s your job to keep
them healthy and pain free, so when you ask your feet to dance, they’re ready to spin you around the floor. One of the most critical things you can do to care for your feet is to choose the right shoes.
The right shoes don’t hurt your feet. When your shoes are too tight, too big, or don’t provide the right support in the right spot, you’re wearing the wrong shoes. The wrong shoes will lead to stress on your feet, ankles, legs, and all the way up your hips and spine. This stress will lead to pain that can be prevented by simply wearing the right shoes for your feet. We know a thing or two about helping you find the right shoes. ICS has Personal Fitting Specialists who have helped hundreds of people find the perfect fitting shoes.
Finding the Perfect Fitting Shoe
- The area around your toes is called the toe box and should have enough room for your toes to rest comfortably. If there’s too much room, your foot will slide around inside the shoe, which leads to calluses and blisters. More often, however, the toe box is too tight. For people with wide feet, the toe box is one of their biggest issues when choosing shoes. Remember to make sure there is room at the end of your toes, as well. While standing up, there should be up to half an inch of space between your longest toe and the shoe tip. If you can wiggle your toes inside your shoe while standing, you’re on the right track.
- The top of the shoe, called the upper, should be made from a material that conforms to the shape of your foot, without constricting. Shoes with buckle closures can help adjust the right amount of “give” along the top of the foot. Adjustable closures can also help to keep your feet comfortable throughout the day, as your feet generally swell later in the day.
- Inside the shoe, the insoles (inserts) should provide enough cushioning to absorb the shock of those thousands of steps you’ll take in a day. There are three areas that need proper support: the arch, the ball of the foot, and the heel. The heel can support as much as 25% of your body weight. Shoes with removable inserts allow you to adjust the amount of support or cushion you need for your specific foot shape and activity level.
- The soles for your shoes should provide traction and keep you from slipping. Then there’s the matter of heels. Ideally, your shoe should provide slight elevation, either from the outside heel or the inside, thicker sole at the back of the shoe. The part of the shoe that wraps around the back of your heel, the counter, needs to be firm enough to support and protect your ankles. When standing and moving, the back of your heel should fit snugly into the counter, not slide up and down while you walk.
- If, like many people, you find that your feet are two different sizes, buy shoes to fit the larger foot. Look for shoes with removable insoles, and add Support or Spacer Inserts to the shoe on the smaller foot. Many of the ICS shoes include a Spacer Insert. This optional flat insert can be placed under the primary supporting insert which will make your feet more snug inside the shoe. Conversely, by removing the Spacer Insert there will be more room or volume inside the shoe. The Spacer Inserts allow you to customize the fit of each shoe.
While it used to be far more difficult to find shoes that both looked and felt great, shoe makers have found the right balance between form and function.
Visit ICS where you'll find plenty of choices for good looking shoes that will fit your feet and keep them healthy and happy. We’re here to help you find the perfect fit for your feet. If you have any questions, please contact ICS Personal Fitting Specialists by phone at:
(877) 553-5544 or
Send us an Inquiry.