How to choose shoes that offer good value for money.

Many readers may think of shoes as just a basic everyday item, but from a medical perspective, they are "muscle-support devices" that work constantly while we stand, walk, or run. Our feet have over 26 bones, more than 30 joints, and hundreds of muscles, tendons, and nerves working together in a complex coordinated manner to support our weight and facilitate movement with every step.

When choosing unsuitable shoes, this system is disrupted, causing incorrect pressure points that affect the muscles, ankles, knees, hips, and even the spine, ultimately leading to chronic pain without you realizing it.

Therefore, choosing "value-for-money" shoes doesn't mean the cheapest option, but rather the choice that provides the best long-term health benefits. So this month, I'd like to invite everyone to understand how to choose the right shoes.

The foundation of making the right choice is, first, to "understand the structure of your own feet," since the feet are the "foundation of the body," and each person's foot shape is naturally different. Understanding your own foot shape is the first step in making the right choice.

Flat feet(Flat Foot)

Flat feet, or feet with a low or almost absent arch, result in poor shock absorption when standing and walking. People with flat feet often complain of heel pain, inner knee pain, or fatigue.

You should choose: Shoes with "arch support," or insoles that curve to support the inner arch of the foot.

High feet (High Arch)

Having a high arch causes pressure to be concentrated on the heel and toes, leading to plantar pain or plantar fasciitis.

You should choose: Shoes with soft soles and good shock absorption.

Normal feet (Normal Arch)

Naturally good weight distribution means you can choose shoes that are flexible and provide a good fit. You can easily do a preliminary check by stepping on a piece of paper with your wet foot. If the footprint is full, you have flat feet, but if there is a very wide arch, you may have high arches.

Once we understand the structure of our feet, we move on to choosing shoes. Good shoes should "work with our feet," not just wrap around them.

The doctor will first explain the components of a shoe to the readers.

A pair of shoes consists of many parts, each of which directly affects health. Good shoes can reduce impact by 30-40% compared to walking barefoot on a hard surface.

""Worthwhile" from a health perspective: Shoes are a long-term investment.

The most worthwhile investment is investing in our own bodies. A seemingly expensive pair of shoes might be a "health asset" that can help reduce future medical expenses.

Let's think about it from a simple numerical perspective.

• A pair of running shoes costing 5,000 baht can last approximately 700-800 kilometers.

→ That works out to just 7 baht per kilometer of joint health.

• Cheap fashion shoes that cause knee or back pain.

→ The cost of a single treatment can be many times higher than the cost of a very expensive pair of treatments.

Worthwhile shoes are those that "allow you to walk happily for a long time."

So, let's learn how to "try on shoes" like a pro.

Many people make their decisions based on appearance, popularity, or discounts, but in reality, trying on shoes correctly is the key to making the most worthwhile purchase.

 5 key factors in choosing shoes.

1. Try it in the afternoon or evening – your feet will be slightly expanded due to standing and temperature.
2. Wear the socks you actually wear – for accurate sizing.
3. Walk for 5-10 minutes – don't just stand still.
4. Leave a 5-1 cm gap between your toes – to prevent bruising and pain in the nails.
5. Walking on hard surfaces and carpets – to test impact force.

If you feel only slight tightness at first, there's a high chance it will be uncomfortable in the long run. Doctors recommend switching to a slightly larger size. And remember, when changing sizes or pairs of shoes, you should walk around for at least 5-10 minutes afterward.

Another important thing to understand is..."Each type of shoe has a different "mission." Don't try to use the same pair of shoes for every activity, because different types of shoes are designed differently based on "impact force" and "types of movement."