| Every woman has experienced this dilemma | | | | you don't get the soles dirty before you are sure |
| before every trip: "Should I take the beautiful | | | | these shoes are good for you. If you decide |
| shoes or the comfortable ones?" Or the higher | | | | against them, you can still return them to the |
| cost version of the same question: "Doesn't this | | | | store. Walk in the shoes for several days to get |
| trip justify the purchase of a pair of shoes that | | | | over any blisters or chafing they may cause |
| will be both beautiful and comfortable?" The good | | | | before your trip. |
| news is that many manufacturers have risen to | | | | - Old broken in shoes that were good for you on |
| the challenge and started making beautiful walking | | | | your last trip can be a great solution for this trip. |
| shoes. Still, we need to make sure these shoes fit | | | | One caveat - take a good look at them to make |
| us. | | | | sure they are not so worn out that they may |
| Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and comfort | | | | force you to hurriedly buy new, possibly |
| is also a personal issue that has a lot to do with | | | | uncomfortable shoes, during your trip. |
| every person's feet and back condition. Still, there | | | | - Hiking boots are a different thing. If you are |
| are some general advice that can be useful to | | | | going hiking, you need hiking boots, with good |
| anyone: | | | | ankle support and sturdy soles and leather that |
| - The heel of your walking shoes must support | | | | will protect your feet from slipping or getting |
| your heel and not be too thick. If the heel is too | | | | bruised. Your beautiful, soft leather walking shoes |
| thick you can not do the rolling from heel to toe | | | | may be damaged by stones, so you'd better not |
| comfortably, the way you should be able to do it. | | | | take them along. |
| - For the same rolling movement mentioned | | | | - It is a good idea to try insoles. Insoles that are |
| before, the sole of the shoe needs to be flexible | | | | personally fitted to your feet will give you the |
| and allow movement of the foot. | | | | best support you can have. The good types are |
| - Companies like Geox make shoes that "breathe". | | | | not cheap, but can relieve and even prevent |
| This will add much to your comfort, especially if | | | | many feet and back problems. If you intend to |
| you are going to travel in warm climates. | | | | get insoles, you should buy them before you buy |
| - Sounds obvious, but it isn't - buy a shoe that | | | | your shoes, and try the shoes on with the insoles. |
| fits. Don't get tempted to try and squeeze into | | | | - Even with the best shoes, you could get blisters |
| smaller shoes hoping that they will expand. If | | | | when you walk for hours on end. Take some |
| anything, your feet may swell after a day of | | | | foot care products with you. Dr. Scholl's has very |
| walking; this is why it is best to shop for shoes in | | | | good padding and blister treatment products that |
| the evening. A well fitting shoe is one in which | | | | can earn you an extra day of comfortable |
| there is a free half inch between your toes and | | | | walking. |
| the tip of the shoe, wide enough for the toes to | | | | - Turns out that it's not only the shoes that |
| move freely. Your heel should be well held in | | | | matter, but also how you lace them. New Balance |
| place, and the shoe shouldn't press any part of | | | | have made this page about how to lace your |
| the foot. | | | | shoes for every possible problem: |
| - Break your shoes in before you leave. First, try | | | | And after all this, we'd still like the shoes to also |
| the shoes at home for a few days. This way, | | | | be beautiful... |