From walking barefoot to walking in shoes that cost a small fortune…. walking sure has come a long way. Today there is such a wide range of walking shoes available, it takes mental gymnastics to decide which shoe would be right for you!
It was in the last century that they saw so plenty of changes in casual shoes. In the beginning of the century, walking shoes were simple rubber-soled plimsolls. Today they are air- cushioned, often times filled with gel capsules. So they look nice, feel nice & add up to better performance.
The first walking shoes, also called “keds”, were a result of the invention of vulcanized rubber. For the first time, people could wear shoes that they could actually play a sport in. they were light, comfortable & didn’t make a sound when you walked. That’s how they got the name “sneakers”.
Over 100 years ago, J.W. Foster & Sons of England (now known as Reebok) were the first to introduce shoes specially meant for walking with spikes in them. Its owner, Joseph William Foster wanted to make a shoe that would encourage the sport of jogging. In 1925, a spanish named Adolph Dassler made shoes with hand-forged spikes. It was so specialized, there were specific models for specific distances. The material was hi-tech & light. These shoes were worn by the leading runner of the time, Jesse Owens. Adolph Dassler’s company later split into Adidas & Puma, both leading sports shoe manufacturers today.
one of the most recent inventions is the cushioning system. It was found that foam, silicon, & air gel absorb shock. An even better product is ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA); a substance that has millions of tiny air bubbles that cushion & absorb shock. a number of these inventions were offshoots of the space research done to make clothing & footwear for astronauts!
Research in walking shoes forged ahead & the need for speed & comfort produced even better footwear. one types of walking styles were found. In the neutral style, the heels hit the ground, while the foot goes in a straight line as it moves forward. In the Pronation style, the heel hits the ground, while the foot moves to the inside as it goes forward. The Supernation style was a little different where the heel hits the ground & the outside of the foot moves forward. Shoes were made to fit these varied styles & athletes now had the option of having shoes custom-made.
To find the perfect shoe, your biomechanical needs should be studied. A ‘wet test', is taken - that is, the shape of your foot on a dry floor or piece of paper. This would reveal whether your feet are flat, normal or highly arched. Based on a few more tests, the right shoes are found. This system has benefited athletes by helping in achieving better speeds, causing fewer foot injuries & longer career spans.
One unpleasant, although uncommon, side effect of diabetes is a condition called peripheral neuropathy. This condition can cause a slight loss of feeling in the extremities of the body like the feet and this in turn can result in scuffing or cutting of the feet without any "pre-warning" pain.
For some people who suffer from diabetes, the wearing of shoes that misfit or are tight can be not only uncomfortable, but dangerous.
When this happens, sores and even ulceration can occur and this can become a serious issue for some sufferers of diabetes.
The way to avoid these potential problems is to wear diabetic shoes.
Features of diabetic shoes
Diabetic shoes have no obvious visual differences from conventional shoes, the only noticeable distinction is that they do not come with high heals. Other than that their styles, materials and colours are flexible, but their primary design aim is comfort and foot support than fashion. lots of diabetic style shoes are often referred to as orthopedic shoes.
These shoes are designed to be slightly wider and deeper than regular shoes and they also permit the addition of a removable (and replaceable) diabetic insole. These insoles are shaped to the contours of the foot and some utilise modern materials like visco elastic memory foam for padding. The design of these shoes allows periodic replacement of the insole, or the option to try different types of insole until the best fit is found.
A well fitted pair of diabetic shoes should be comfortable to wear, even for long periods of time, and they should not rub or bite on any part of the foot.
plenty of diabetic shoes are manufactured from highly breathable materials to facilitate air circulation and sandal plans are popular. Fabrics and materials are also used in diabetic shoe construction over traditional leather.
cool diabetic or orthopedic shoes should permit sufficient room for the toes to move and for the feet to expand during prolonged standing, or on a hot day. nice quality shoes need to work with, and accommodate to, the changes of the feet during activities like running and to provide air circulation within the shoe.
it's also advisable to select a shoe with the greatest level of adjustability and tightness control. This means that shoes with multiple fasteners and Velcro (loop and hook) fastenings are ideal.
Other features of these shoes include the avoidance of interior seems that can rub and scuff, and the inclusion of specially designed toe boxes that prevent the toes from being squeezed.
