Constantly, I mean constantly, footwear is the reason for love or war in a podiatrist’s chair. Don’t you dare think this is happening only with the women; oh no, this is with the men and children too. From the stylish female; the pregnant ballerina flats wearing ones; the men who humour me with… “I can’t wear those wide width shoes”; to the little girls who can only wear “cute slippers”!

We try in all kinds of ways to talk ourselves into wearing shoes that are bad for us. Here are a few popular untruths we’re all guilty of, with the truths that dispel the myths: barefoot shoes, flip flops, Crocs, flats vs. heels, and more.

Lie #1: New Shoes Always Feel Tight; They’ll Stretch

We’ve all told ourselves, or the store clerk has told us this lie, in an attempt to squeeze our feet into the latest stiletto trend, or cute pair of pointy tip flats.  But unless the shoes are made of 100 percent natural leather or suede (both the outside and the lining), there’s no way they will realistically stretch enough to feel comfortable. Besides, shoe experts say even real leather and suede shoes, only stretch about a quarter of a shoe size, mere millimetres.

Truth

Never buy shoes that hurt, or feel too tight; since they’ll most likely not stretch into a comfortable fit over time. In the long run, you’ll have pain in your feet, and pocket!

Lie # 2: Flip Flops Are Comfortable

They’re an easy, go-to staple, and we’ve all told ourselves that flip flops are comfy. But in reality, your foot is constantly flexing in an attempt to grip onto them.  This can ultimately lead to muscle cramps, torn ligaments in the arch of the foot (plantar fasciitis), and hammertoes. This casual footwear option also leads to cracked heels (heel fissures), corns and calluses, all of which are definitely not considered comfortable.

Truth

Flip flops are only comfortable if worn for short periods of time. They offer zero cushioning, grip and arch support, and should be avoided as much as possible.

 Lie # 3: Flats Are Better Than Heels

With all of the warnings floating around about the dangers of wearing high heels, many women assume that wearing flats is the better option. Many flats on the market have absolutely no cushioning or arch support; they often cause the foot to roll inward, and create strain on the leg muscles. Meaning, they could be just as detrimental to your foot health, as high heels.

Truth

Shoes with a small 1-inch to 1 and a half inch heel, give your feet better support than flats; they’re therefore considered a better option.

Lie #4: Comfort Shoes Are Designed By Engineers With Foot Health In Mind

This is one of the most believed shoe myths out there, but which couldn’t be further from the truth. Many mainstream comfort shoe brands tout their optimised shoes, but more often than not, they’re designed with aesthetics, not foot health in mind. What will look good on the shelf? What will sound good to the consumer? Foot health is often a pretty low priority.

Truth

The only way to ensure that a shoe is designed with maximum foot health in mind, is to get specially designed shoes with built in orthotics. Orthoses properly control body alignment; protect/support foot and leg injuries; correct and/or accommodate foot deformities, such as bunions, hammertoes and flatfeet.

Lie #5: A Good Quality Pair of Shoes Will Last Forever

High fashion magazines will have you believe, that if you invest in a pricy pair of well-made designer shoes, they will last forever. Unfortunately for your pocketbook, this is not true. While the shoes may look good for years to come if given proper care, there’s no way to avoid the support and stability of the shoes from breaking down. You can try taking the shoes to a shoemaker each year for general maintenance. But short of completely replacing the sole, insole, and any other supportive devices the shoe offers, they will wear out and become hazardous to the health of your feet. Worn-in shoes can lead to pronation problems, bunions, plantar fasciitis, and more.

Truth

Shoes need constant replacing, to ensure the best foot and arch support possible.

Lie #6: When You Find a Good Pair of Shoes, Stick to Them

We’ve all tried to pack light before a vacation, by planning outfits that revolve around just one pair of shoes; or have fallen in love with a stylish yet comfortable pair of shoes, that we wear repeatedly. However, experts warn this is a really bad idea. Frequently wearing the same pair of shoes, (or wearing the same pair of shoes two days in a row), can lead to a host of foot problems. These include smelly feet, bunions, and misalignment issues.

Truth

Try to mix up the shoes that you wear; avoid using the same pair two consecutive days.

Finally, don’t purchase shoes online; when in doubt, check your podiatrist.

Your feet mirror your general health . . . cherish them!