Are Your Shoes Affecting Your Posture?

According to the British Chiropractic Association, 51% of 16-24 year olds have poor posture. Additionally, 56% of the UK population believe they have bad posture. Many of us are guilty of not standing straight or bending our spines to work, but how do we fix this? 

We will explain how footwear plays a part in bad posture and how to find shoes that are good for your posture.

Why is good posture important?

Exercising correct posture can help prevent unwelcome aches, tension and pains in the neck, shoulders and back. For those of us who enjoy keeping fit and active, a good posture is essential when engaging in physical activity to avoid sports-related injuries and strains. Not only that, great posture is also great for our confidence. 

What causes bad posture?

A number of factors can contribute to bad posture, some common causes of bad posture can be: 

• the way you sleep 

• body weight

• stress and anxiety 

• injuries 

• genetics 

• repetitive motions 

• weak muscles 

• shoe choice 

Expert Advice: Your Shoes and Your Posture

As Footwear Experts, here is the advice from A Fine Pair of Shoes on how poorly fitting shoes can affect posture, and how to find shoes that truly fit. 

Are Your Shoes Affecting Your Posture?

Around a third of the UK population wears the wrong size shoes! It’s easy to assume that all sizes and shoes are created equal (we would hope) however that is not the case. Although you might think sizes are the same between brands and stores, this is not always the case. 

“Selecting shoes that don’t fit correctly can have a long-term impact on your foot health and posture long term. You may not even realise your shoes don’t fit correctly”

“Make sure you buy based on fit rather than what’s on the label” .. it’s one of the reasons, A Fine Pair of Shoes, is so transparent when it comes to sizing. We also offer a very generous 45-day returns policy should the shoe not fit. 

 Look for telltale signs your shoes don’t fit properly: 

• Blisters

• Pain

• Shoe wrinkling or bunching

• Numbness or tingling

• Toe crowding

• Back pain

• Heel slippage

• Ankle or knee pain 

How poorly fitting shoes can affect your posture

Our shoes provide stability and help us balance, wearing worn or ill-fitting shoes can have detrimental effects on our posture and physical health:

Misalignment: Shoes that are too tight or too loose can misalign your feet, causing them to roll inward or outward excessively. This can lead to imbalances in your body, which can affect your ankles, knees, hips and even your spine. 

Muscle Imbalances: If your feet are misaligned, this may cause your muscles to need to work harder to compensate, leading to imbalances and potential strain.

Pain and Discomfort: Poorly fitting shoes can cause pain and discomfort in your feet, ankles and legs. When you’re in pain, you may instinctively adjust your posture to try and alleviate some of this pain, which can lead to further issues. 

Back Pain: Over time, muscle imbalances and misalignment can contribute to back pain. This is because your spine has to work harder to maintain proper balance, and this extra strain can lead to discomfort. 

How to choose - good for your posture -  shoes

Choosing the right shoes for your posture doesn’t have to mean investing in posture shoes or posture correcting shoes (unless recommended by a professional). With a few simple adjustments and a little more thought into fit, you’ll be able to choose shoes good for your posture.

Get your feet measured: It’s important to get your feet measured as your feet can change size over time, so getting them measured regularly can help you select the right size. If you find upon closer inspection your current shoes are a little on the larger side, shoe insoles are a great way to increase support and stability. 

Look for shoes with good arch support: Your shoes need to provide adequate support to your arches to help prevent foot pain and fatigue, so it’s incredibly important to select shoes to properly support your arches. 

For those unable to source a supportive pair or don’t want to be rid of their current shoe collection, instep arch supports are a great solution.

Choose shoes that are the correct width: We all have completely different feet, and your feet may be wider or narrower than standard shoes, so make sure you're selecting shoes that are the right width. Different styles have a different fit, so speaking to a specialist can help advise you with the best style for your needs.

Look for accurate sizing and fit with A Fine Pair of Shoes: If we’re aware the sizing of a brand isn’t accurate, we’ll always do our best to let you know in the product description, recommending you size up or size down.