Why Your Feet Need More Shoes

It’s easy to get into a fashion rut, but there are valid health reasons to own and wear a variety of shoes. Wearing the same pair of shoes every day is actually bad for your feet. Rotating your shoes can prevent a variety of foot problems – not to mention that having a variety of shoes to choose from every day makes putting an outfit together more fun.

Exactly why should you rotate your shoes and avoid wearing the same pair two days in a row? Here are some of the main reasons.

Avoiding Foot Pain

Different shoes will fit slightly differently even if they are the same size. The style and design can put different amounts of pressure on different parts of your foot. If that pressure is always on the exact same spot, it’s likely to get sore. Rotating your shoes ensures that the same spot isn’t experiencing too much pressure.

The soles of many shoes are cushioned, and that cushioning gets compressed during the day as we walk around. Giving your shoes a day off between wears allows the cushioning to recover so it remains effective.

Air Out Your Shoes

It isn’t pretty but our feet sweat. And Ireland has a damp climate. Even if you are wearing the most advanced wicking socks to keep your feet dry and have water-proof shoes, it is nearly impossible to prevent some water from affecting your shoes. Between sweat, rain and puddles, our shoes can get wet. Allowing them to dry out completely between wears protects your feet against fungal infections and prevents damage to the shoe.

Add to the Life of Your Shoes

The more often you wear a pair of shoes, the faster they wear out. If you wear the same shoes every day, they might wear out in six months, depending on how much you walk in an average day. If you wear those same shoes every other day, they’ll last a year.

Protect Your Leg Muscles

High heels look great, but they can put a strain on your calf muscles and push your spine out of alignment. Wearing the same height every day intensifies the problem. But if you mix it up and wear different heel heights, it allows your calf muscles to stretch more and your spine to adjust. It’s best to save the stilettos for an occasional formal night out when you won’t be on your feet too much and stick to lower heels for everyday wear.

They say variety is the spice of life, and having a good selection of shoes helps you keep your wardrobe interesting. It means you can indulge in shoes that won’t work with every outfit but will look amazing with a particular skirt or pair of trousers. It’s always good to have a basic black pair of court shoes, but you certainly don’t have to wear them every single day! It also helps prolong your shoes life and protect your feet if you change your shoes when you get home from a day out.