We all love high-heels and the way they make us look and feel. However, they are just not the right choice of footwear if you plan to spend the entire day running errands. High heels shift your body weight to the balls of your feet, which puts too much pressure on our muscles and joints. Besides causing much pain after wearing them for a couple of hours, they can also cause bunions and hammertoes. This brings me to my point – walking shoes need to be comfortable enough for you to spend an entire day wearing them if you need to. So, on your next shopping spree, look for low heel sandals with lots of cushioning, and a shape that follows the arch of your foot. Let’s talk details.

Material

Go for sandals that have cloth or soft leather straps instead of plastic or other harsh material. Also, avoid embellishments that might rub against your skin. If you plan on doing some serious walking, look for comfortable walking sandals that have a cushioned footbed. Rubber flip-flops are ideal for walking on the beach but they are not the best choice for walking around for a longer period as their tong can irritate the skin between your toes.

Arch Support

A good arch support can definitely help you get rid of some of the common foot problems like tired legs, arch cramps, and general muscle fatigue. That little bump in the center of the insole is what will help you maintain a better alignment – it’s all about keeping your foot as neutral as possible.

Proper Fit

It may seem like a no-brainer, but make sure you buy comfortable walking sandals that actually fit your feet. Don’t let the common beliefs like “they will loosen up after you wear them a couple of times” deceive you. Sandals that are too big for your feet are uncomfortable to walk around in as your feet will slide forward which may create blisters. This may also cause your toes to touch the ground which will eventually result in an obnoxious foot pain at the end of the day.

Extra Cushioning

Invest in an insole that is slim and discrete so that you can wear it with most sandal models. The extra cushioning can be focused either on the ball of the foot or it can be spread along the length of the sandal. If your feet are slipping when wearing thong sandals, look for inserts that fit around the shoe’s toe grip and rest under the ball of the foot.