Autumn Aesthetics - Fall Shoe Picks from Dr. Arya

Check out our new blog highlighting the best styles of shoes to keep you upright & happy on that fall trip to the pumpkin patch, haunted house, or apple orchard! We aren’t keen on forcing our patients into blasé Frankenstein-looking Orthopedic shoes (though now is the season!)--so read below for some realistic, comfortable, fun recommendations and tips to keep you styling during our favorite October activities! As always, should you have any questions don’t hesitate to reach out to the office. We are conveniently located in the heart of Arcadia, Phoenix with surrounding care to Scottsdale, Biltmore, and the Greater Phoenix area. We are open Friday afternoons, Saturdays, and at lunch time. We try to be available for you and hope to take care of you soon!

We know your first priority isn’t always wearing the best shoe for your foot type when you’re enjoying your time with friends and family this fall. However, if you have any foot issues, it’s important to find the balance between style and functionality. Below are some tips to help you find the best shoes for you. 

Below are the four major ‘shoe groups’ I hear my patients describe a need to wear for occasions like apple picking or a haunted house. Of course, you want to wear a pair of shoes that look good with your outfit, so if you’re in a crunch for time,  scan the list below and figure out your desired category. Otherwise, take heed of all the categories, especially if there are different times of the year and events you love to wear that type of shoe. As a Board Certified Podiatrist in the greater Phoenix area with over a decade of experience, I tell you with confidence that you can apply this principle to choosing the right shoe for every occasion every time! Let’s go:

THE STYLES TO CONSIDER

1. Athletic Shoe (a sneaker, brands like Nike, Asics, Brooks, New Balance, ON, Hoka, etc. typically with arch support and stiff heel counter)
2. Casual Slip On (think Vans, Converse, Loafer, Crocs)
3. Dress Shoe (modern style loafers with a heel, synthetic/patent material)
4. Boot or Bootie (ranging from UGGs and laced Moon boots with your EDM Raver Costume, to stylish 2 inch fall booties with your Pumpkin Spice Latte pictures at the Pumpkin Patch)

The Athletic Shoe

Finding a good athletic shoe is the best option in almost any scenario when it comes to having a good time–be it Disney World, walking in the park, or running from zombies this Halloween season. With over a decade of experience, I can tell you that making sure you like the colors and what the style of shoe looks like is going to be paramount–especially if this athletic shoe is doubling as your night time activity shoe! So if you hate the way Hoka’s look, don’t buy a Hoka. There are plenty of lower volume stability shoes in which an insert can be added to give you enough support. ENJOY THE SHOE YOU CHOOSE, let’s make it fun! Now’ let’s get into the structural components of a good athletic shoe to enjoy your October 2023 activities!

Key Take-Aways for an Athletic Shoe: FIRM ARCH, FIRM HEEL

1. The Arch Should Be FIRM

• AVOID MEMORY FOAM. I repeat, do not buy a shoe that claims 100% memory foam, that you can roll into a burrito and plan on being on your feet for 8+ hours a day. I know it feels right to be in something soft, but what feels right isn’t always the right thing for you. My patients often complain that their Sketchers with Memory Foam, AllBirds, and Rothy’s are what propel their heel pain and many other issues–and I’m with them. Stick with an athletic shoe that doesn’t bend or twist, especially if you plan on being on unstable ground. That will keep your ankle sprain, achilles tendonitis, and plantar fasciitis free. Shoe manufacturers’ first priority is selling shoes, so be careful when you’re advertised to about slinky shoes & memory foam curing your heel pain. I find the opposite in my medical practice.

2. Firm Heel Counter

• • The heel counter or heel clutch is the back of the athletic shoe and it’s what you sink into. I currently run in Asics with a Dyna Knit component and what I love about it is they’ve done a great job with the heel counter. A stiff heel counter just means that when you step into the shoe, it hugs you in. Someone who might have a heel that slips could always try a lacing technique. But you certainly don’t want the soft heels that you can slide your foot in and out of by bending the shoe. The heel counter, as pictured above, will keep you supported and upright so that if you get stuck in some mud, or a Vampire’s grip–you can pivot, allowing your Achilles Tendon to stay cradled, and for you to make it out successfully and stable without any chance of falling or putting extra tension on the back of the heel! 

The Casual Slip On

This might be the most popular category for my patients. The ease of sliding something on and off your foot, as well as the flexible style for different events makes them a winning option. If you want to wear Vans or Converse, great–but put a 3⁄4 length insert in them. I make custom inserts and have off the shelf options at my office so you won’t compromise style and function. There are other manufacturers that make great slide-ons. The issue with just sliding in and out of a thin floppy shoe like advertised by Skechers, All Birds, and Rothy’s is that you have zero support. If you add stiffness to this type of shoe, then you can have the stability that will keep you from spraining your ankle when you make a sharp turn in your favorite haunted house this season. 

Key Take-Aways for a Casual Slide: add something to it to bring the ground up to you. A medical grade insert from your podiatrist office is ideal, whether it’s off the shelf or custom…however if you can’t make it to a doctor, just make sure you choose a casual slide that might have some inherent arch support. Makers like Dansko, Clarks, Vionics, and Ecco all have great looking slide options that have a small-mid arch support built in. Reference these photos for examples of supportive shoes that fall into the casual slip on category. 

(Vionic Joseline Mary Jane)

The Dress Shoe

We have a range with the dress shoe from the new on trend modern style loafers with a heel (see picture below) to a high heel shoe you might wear with a special outfit to dress it up. These heels are often made of leather, or for more sparkle and shine, a synthetic/patent material. Heels are not automatically “bad” for your feet. If you suffer from Achilles tendonitis or plantar fasciitis, the right type of heel style (chunky, wide, wedge) with a platform can actually help you move around WITHOUT discomfort. We never want a pancake flat shoe, so heels are not always out of the question. 

Key Take-Aways for heels: 

1. Platform- The platform offers even height distribution while not putting unnecessary pressure on your body. Because of this unique design, no matter how high your heels are, they are usually still comfortable ** see exceptions in next two bullet points!**
2. Heel height
3. Shape of heel
4. Ankle support with back straps– a slinky sexy high heel that barely covers your foot isn’t going to fly on an October night, even in Arizona. I always recommend an ankle and back strap to help control the motion of the midfoot and forefoot. With some extra straps and support (much like wearing a sports bra when you run) you can go further without discomfort, fatigue, or wanting to throw your shoes out the window as soon as you get back to the car!
5. Time- The higher the heel over 3”, the less time you should wear them over 3 hours on your feet. 

Boots or the Bootie!

One of my favorite things about falls are Booties. They look good all the time and typically are comfortable. The biggest problem I’ve seen with my patient’s who come in with booties is that the fit of the toe box and the lining is cheaper/synthetic/non-breathable are very minimal–so if they wear them for an extended period of time, their feet swell, sweat, and pinch at the toes. So here are my BOOTIE tips, which also apply to most boots!

1. Toe Box- wider is always better, if you go narrow–go up a size, your poor toes will really thank you. No witchie toe points!
2. Lining– Do you need to wear socks because the lining is thin? Figure out what socks will help buffer the shoe or if you can add a liner to give you more support over time. 
3. Pitch- Do we need to add an insert? It’s possible you need an insert to help offset the slope of the heel. Refer to the picture of the heel below and take a look at the pitch, that angle really does make a big difference in the comfort of wearing the shoe.

Overall, remember that keeping your foot supported does not mean that you have to give up your style, too. Ranging from athletic shoes to booties, there is a perfect fit for you! If you have any questions or want to chat about what shoe might be best for you, don’t hesitate to contact our office.

Author

Dr. Shylaja Arya Dr. Arya is the owner of Arya Foot & Ankle, a podiatry practice that serves the greater Phoenix area with same day, Saturday, and lunch time appointments. She is a level 500 yoga instructor, tennis player, dog mom and shoe lover!