Shoes have always lived at the "lowest level" of the human body—bearing the body’s weight together with the feet, silently serving and providing a reliable foundation for our movement forward. With the evolution of fashion and lifestyle, functionality and aesthetics in footwear often come into conflict. Some consumers prioritize appearance over foot health, neglecting the protective role shoes should play. In fact, from the perspective of physical well-being, decorative appeal and visual beauty should be secondary considerations when choosing shoes.

The human body has 206 bones in total—52 of them are in the feet—along with 66 joints, over 40 muscles, and more than 200 ligaments. The feet act as the body’s “natural shock absorbers,” helping protect the spine and brain. Therefore, the primary function of a good pair of shoes is to provide support, cushioning, and protection for the feet. This is the fundamental principle of shoe selection.

Wearing excessively soft, unstable shoes with flat, thin soles and no structural support can cause impact forces during walking to travel up through the knees, lumbar spine, and even the cervical spine, potentially damaging the spine and joints over time.

Secondly, it’s important to choose shoes with proper arch support. Well-designed footwear effectively absorbs shock and reduces pressure by evenly distributing the body’s weight across the entire sole. Poor weight distribution can concentrate pressure on the toes, leading to ligament inflammation, laxity, or other foot disorders.

Generally speaking, always select the correct shoe size. Shoe sizing includes two key elements: shoe length (shoe number) and width (shoe type).

• Shoe number is measured in millimeters and indicates the internal length of the shoe; choose based on your actual foot length.
• Shoe type ranges from Type 1 to Type 5, indicating the shoe’s width—higher numbers mean wider fits. Choose according to your foot width and overall foot shape.

It’s recommended to leave about 10 mm of space between your longest toe and the front of the shoe for adults, and around 15 mm for growing children. Foot shape also matters: for example, people with flat feet or older adults whose arches have collapsed often experience longer, wider feet and should opt for wide-toe-box shoes.

When purchasing footwear, always compare options from multiple sources. Buy from reputable channels such as large department stores, brand boutiques, or official flagship stores to avoid counterfeit or “three-no” products (no manufacturer info, no production date, no quality standard). Prefer brands known for consistent quality assurance.

Before buying, carefully inspect product labels on the shoebox or hangtag for clear information including: production date, product name, applicable standards, warranty (“three guarantees”) terms, and material composition. Avoid products with incomplete or missing labeling.

Before purchase, examine the shoe’s appearance and assess initial comfort. Since feet tend to sweat, check whether the upper, lining, and insole materials are soft, breathable, moisture-absorbent, and comfortable. Also:

• Ensure the sole is neither too hard nor too soft—both extremes hinder natural movement.
• Check that the bond between upper and sole is secure, with no delamination or peeling.
• Inspect the heel counter and toe box for smooth, rounded contours and firm structure.
• Verify stitching is neat, with no skipped stitches or broken threads.

How to check left-right balance?
Place the shoe flat on the floor. Observe whether the heel stands vertically and makes full contact with the ground. Also view the shoe from front and back angles to confirm symmetry. Poor balance can lead to uneven weight distribution, altering the body’s load-bearing alignment and potentially causing knee osteoarthritis or pelvic tilt.

The sole greatly influences overall shoe quality. Learn to evaluate flexibility and durability:

• A good sole should bend easily but resist breaking—ideally folding to about 60 degrees.
• The flex point should be located at the front third of the sole (aligned with the metatarsal joint).
• If the entire sole bends or twists too freely when pressed downward at the toe, the shoe is too soft, which may cause big toe strain and discomfort during walking.

Soles should not be overly thin or soft. The rear two-thirds of the foot contain the plantar fascia, which requires adequate support. Excessively soft or thin soles offer poor shock absorption, leading to discomfort with every step. Currently, only children’s shoes and specialty footwear have specific hardness requirements.

Whenever possible, choose shoes with shock-absorbing structures, cushioned heels, and non-slip forefoot zones. During walking, the foot bears 0.7 to 1.5 times your body weight, and the resulting ground reaction force travels upward through the ankle and knee joints. Without proper cushioning—especially an elastic heel pad in the sole or insole—this repeated impact can accelerate knee degeneration and cause lower back or neck/shoulder pain.

The heel counter should be firm and well-contoured to securely cradle the heel. A heel base that’s too small, narrow, or slender compromises stability, increasing the risk of ankle sprains.

Always try shoes on in person. Keep in mind:

• Feet swell throughout the day—they’re larger in the afternoon and evening than in the morning. So, shop later in the day.
• Your foot shape differs when standing versus sitting. Always stand up and walk around during fitting to assess true comfort and fit.

Nowadays, with the rising popularity of e-commerce, many people buy shoes online. In such cases, carefully verify that the product details match the seller’s online description. Upon delivery, cross-check the physical product’s hangtag against advertised claims. Often, online promotions mention quality features that are missing from the actual product label. Also, ensure the care instructions and usage guidelines are accurate and complete. Confirm that the hangtag clearly lists: manufacturer name and address, applicable product standard, and accurate details on materials, color, and shoe size. Avoid purchasing items lacking this basic information—they likely lack quality assurance.