Wearing the best-fitting shoes means healthier feet, which translates to comfort for you and less risk of injury. That’s why knowing about the best shoe brands for better foot health is a must!

Walking Shoes

Cleveland Clinic reports that walking shoes are essential must-haves to maximize foot health. Nike, Asics, Sketchers and New Balance are examples of brands that make walking shoes that fit comfortably, which is crucial for the long-term health of your feet.

Correct Toes Approved Shoes

If you’re looking for footwear that encourages natural body and foot movement, promotes proper alignment of your toes and optimizes foot strength, consider choosing shoes that are correct toes approved, suggests Northwest Foot and Ankle. For a complete list of correct toes approved shoes, click here. Pick from men’s, women’s and children’s brands in styles of casual shoes, athletic footwear, sandals, boots, and slippers. Examples of brands that made the list of correct toes approved shoes include Crocs, Vivobarefoot and Sole Runner.

Natural Foot Approved Shoes

Wearing natural foot approved shoes means you’ll be getting footwear that encourages natural body and foot movement, promotes proper toe alignment, and maximizes foot strength (just like correct toes approved shoes do). This type of comfy footwear is made for men, women, and children in styles of boots, slippers, sandals, casual footwear and athletic shoes. Examples of brands that are natural foot approved include Birkenstock, New Balance, and Vivobarefoot. Click here for a complete list of natural foot approved shoe brands.

General Rules for Healthy Footwear

More importantly than the brand of shoes you’re buying to maximize healthy feet is how the shoes fit, as this can be highly individualized. Harvard Health Publishing suggests making sure you have at least 1/4 to 1/2 inches of space between your longest toe and the edge of your shoe, picking shoes that are wide enough to prevent pain when you walk and run, ensuring shoes feel comfortable, buying shoes with arch support if you have arthritis or low back pain, and choosing shoes that provide some sort of cushioning. Picking shoes made of a flexible material helps too!

Bottom Line

Following the few simple tips above, and making sure shoes fit well and don't hurt when you walk, helps prevent potential foot problems, bad posture — and stress on your back, knees, and hips.

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