The world is your oyster and the streets of many foreign cities are waiting for you to walk them, but are your feet ready for it? If you do not have the proper walking shoes, then the answer is no. Some choices in walking shoes offer little to no arch support and often wear down or fall apart after only one vacation.
The best shoes to wear on a walking vacation are orthopedic shoes because they offer proper alignment, lots of cushions, and will last for years to come. Read below to find out why orthopedic shoes are essential for comfortable travel adventures.
Stability
Among other great qualities in a pair of orthopedic shoes, their stability is one of the top reasons why people make the switch. Orthopedic shoes are built with a solid sole that can be created for regular and wide feet, meaning that those who have feet on the wider side will not deal with the sides of their feet spilling over the sides, causing discomfort and instability. The insoles of these kinds of shoes are usually made out of a strong synthetic material like foam rubber that holds its shape, even on long walking days.
A big part of the stability of orthopedic shoes is the arch support. Regular tennis shoes or any other walking shoes often lack the arch support needed to keep you going all day long. Orthopedic shoes are designed to help people who have previous foot problems like plantar fasciitis or flat feet who need extra cushioning to walk even short distances without pain.
Because they are designed for this kind of support and stability, walking for long distances in them is like walking on a cloud. They are so comfortable and sturdy that you won’t even be thinking about your feet as you look at historical monuments and try local cuisines.
Personalized Support
Sometimes the only solution when finding the perfect walking shoe is to go for customization. If you have a hard time with your feet and you are worried about a vacation where you are going to be walking a lot, then custom orthopedic shoes are the best choice for you. If personalized support sounds like something you need, you can shop for orthopedic shoes here to find all kinds of styles, materials, shapes, and support levels in orthopedic shoes.
Orthopedic shoe professionals can analyze your needs based on the information you give them and deliver you a pair of orthopedic shoes that fit well, have enough room in the toe box, provide arch support, and are made of materials that are comfortable and durable.
Some orthopedic shoes are made specifically for some types of foot ailments, so if you suffer from problems like bunyons, plantar fasciitis, hammer toe, ingrown toenails, or anything else that affects your walking, getting personalized orthopedic shoes will help a lot with those problems.
You will find yourself able to walk much longer distances with custom orthopedic shoes, so you will have more time to see the sights you want to see instead of finding the nearest bench to take a rest.
Avoid Back Pain
If there is something wrong with your feet, then that is likely going to work its way up into your back. When traveling there is a lot of walking and standing still in line to get into popular attractions. This can cause lower back pain that can persist throughout your vacation unless you are wearing orthopedic shoes.
The cushion provided in orthopedics makes standing still for long periods of time easier than if you were doing it in flat shoes with no support. Many people who think that they can have an entire vacation while wearing bad shoes often end up coming home and booking chiropractor appointments because their shoes betrayed them.
Even with stretching and lifting the knees while waiting in long lines, back pain will persist if the wrong shoes are being worn. If you are trying out a new pair of orthopedic shoes before a travel adventure, try standing in them for a while and see how your lower back feels. You may be surprised to find that you have very little pain and even want to stand in them even longer because they are so comfortable.
Less Pressure on the Heels
When walking long distances in one day, the first signs of foot pain usually come from the heels. Shes that have hard or worn down soles offer little comfort to the heel and will cause pain within just a few hours. Orthopedic shoes have such a thick layer of cushion that the heel is less likely to feel as much pressure as it would with normal shoes. The feeling of walking on a cloud is not an exaggeration when it comes to orthopedic shoes.
Dependability
Among all of the other benefits of orthopedic shoes their durability and longevity are also very impressive. Many new orthopedic styles are made with leather, which makes them flexible and extremely durable. The soles are also built to stay cushioned and sturdy for a long time, so you will not have to worry about them breaking down halfway through your travels.
For these reasons, orthopedic shoes are a dependable choice that will hold up against any other type of travel shoe. They will also save you space in your suitcase because they are the only pair of shoes you’re going to need.
Even if you get tired, your orthopedic shoes will not, and with that extra layer of padding between your feet and the ground, the shoes will not break down easily. Many models of orthopedic shoes also have non-slip technology, making them reliable in all kinds of climates and terrain. They are a dependable type of shoe that offers total comfort paired with durability.
Blister Prevention
Many orthopedic shoe designs have cushioned areas around the top to support the ankle which also doubles as a great design for blister prevention. Blisters are one of the biggest dampers on long walking days because once a blister forms, it is all a person can think about. This is not a good thing when all you want to do is walk around and see the monuments and culture in the place you are traveling around.
Blisters also tend to form around the pinkie toes and sides of the feet after long days of walking, usually due to ill-fitting shoes that don’t allow your toes enough room to breathe. Good orthopedic shoes are designed to have wide-toe boxes, which means that there is no rubbing of the pinkie toe against the side of the shoe. A properly fitted shoe should be snug but not too tight with a breathable toe box.
Stylish Comfort
Long gone are the days of orthopedics that actually look like orthopedics. Nowadays, many orthopedic shoe brands are upping their game by designing shoes that look good enough to wear to the office. Walking and traveling around high-class cities like Milan and London, for example, you don’t want to be targeted as a tourist wearing shoes that look like you are on your way to play tennis. Stylish orthopedic shoes will make you feel and look good as you explore new places and walk on cobblestone streets.
Some orthopedic shoe options are made of leather while others are more breathable with mesh fabrics. They come in all kinds of colors and styles, some with laces and some without depending on the look you want. Some even have easy slip-on features that can help you pull them on in the morning while still looking like dress shoes. If style is important to you, but comfort is a higher priority, with orthopedic shoes you don’t have to compromise on either.
Long-Term Health
If you are a big traveler who loves to go on trips where you walk a lot, orthopedic shoes are the perfect option for you. Traveling multiple times a year and going on trips where you walk more than ten thousand steps per day can take a toll on the feet, knees, hips, and back, but orthopedic shoes can prevent that from happening. They are designed to absorb the impact of walking and help you go further distances without feeling pain.
Going on trips for years and always walking in unsupported shoes will catch up with you in the long run. Whole body health starts at the feet and if you are not wearing proper shoes like orthopedics on your long walking trips you will start to get long-term joint damage and the arches of your feet will feel terrible. Shoes that have arch support and cushioning are the only option if you want to continue to travel comfortably into your old age.
Travel adventures are all about having good sensory experiences, but that cannot happen if you are focused on how bad your feet hurt. Orthopedic shoes are the only choice if you want to have a pain-free walking adventure. From extra cushioned soles to roomy toe boxes, orthopedic shoes provide comfort all vacation long.
