5 Tips for Selecting the Best Socks and Shoes

Shoes: a staple present found under Christmas trees every year, but let’s make sure the shoes you’re gifting are going to be as comfortable and supportive as possible. One of our biggest recommendations for caring for your feet is to let us fit you for custom orthotics. Once you do that, you’re going to want high quality shoes and socks to keep your feet comfortable all day long no matter the activity.

For the gym or the trail

Whether you’re giving athletic shoes to someone who works out five days a week or someone who will be wearing them on strolls around the neighborhood, there are a few things you should look for to ensure optimal performance and avoid ankle injuries.

• Perform two specific bend tests. Athletic shoes that provide premium support flex at the very bottom of the laces and are rigid from the middle of the shoe to the heel. Feet do not bend past the toes, so why should your shoes? Another test we like to perform is what we like to call the dish towel test. If you can easily twist the shoe when holding it from the heel and the toe, like ringing out a dish towel, that shoe might not provide the best stability.
• Give the heel a squeeze. Often overlooked when purchasing athletic shoes is the ankle support. The best way to keep your ankles in the best position is to check the heel box. Give the heel area of the shoe a squeeze. If that area is easily compressed with little pressure, consider finding a shoe that is a bit more sturdy in that area.

One thing to keep in mind is that just because you may see more advertising for certain brands it doesn’t mean those shoes are the best for your feet. Some of our favorite brands are New Balance, Asics, Brooks, and Saucany.

Dress shoes shouldn’t always mean sore feet

While those sneakers will encase feet in premium support, they might not look great with dress slacks or a cocktail dress. Worry not, we’ll show you how to pick out the perfect dress and casual shoes as well!

• Make sure the toe box is spacious. When picking out dress shoes, many of the same rules apply that we listed with athletic shoes. Another feature to look for, especially in dress shoes, is the space for your toes. Many dress shoes have narrow toe boxes that do not allow your toes the wiggle room they need. If you have problems with bunions or hammertoe, it’s even worse. Read reviews on shoes before you buy or try on a pair in your size if you are gifting them to a friend. You should look for shoes that are tight enough to support your feet, but we don’t want your toes on top of one another from being too tight in the toe box.

Here are some of the best brands we’ve found. For men are Clarks, Johnston & Murphy, Taft, Ecco, and Olukai for casual options. For women we recommend Dansko, Aertrex, Vionic, and Naot.

Support your feet at home

Here is an interesting gift idea that could save your recipient from foot pain even while they are staying at home. One of the leading causes we see for plantar fasciitis pain is going barefoot at home. Our feet need support. No shoes means no support. We’re here to fix that. If you or someone you know is experiencing pain from plantar fasciitis, schedule an appointment with us so we can take care of you before the holidays. Also, pick up a good pair of shoes to wear around the house. Some brands we recommend are Crocs, Chaco, and Birkenstock.

Select high quality socks

Now that we’ve got shoes covered, let’s get some socks to complete the look. You wouldn’t eat prime rib with a plastic fork and knife, so let’s make sure to get high quality socks to fill those brand new shoes. Our favorite socks have a few things in common. Look for socks made of polyester, nylon, and spandex. Also, look for socks that are form-fitting, but not too tight. Finally, features like seamless toes and specialized arch support will help you avoid blisters and give your feet an extra layer of support where you need it. The best athletic socks we’ve found are Balega and Thorlos. We also love Bombas and Darn Tough - Vermont for their selections that you can wear to the gym, the office, and the hiking trail.

Proper shoes and socks are a great recipe for relieving foot and ankle pain, but it’s not always a cure-all. If you are experiencing any of the conditions that we treat, contact one of our locations in Hermitage, Brentwood, Nashville, Mount Juliet, Waverly, Gallatin, Smyrna, Columbia, Pulaski, and Lebanon, Tennessee to set up your appointment.