Footwear has always brought a dilemma for women who often had to sacrifice comfort for the sake of fashion. Oftentimes this led to various foot issues which then resulted in overall health issues. Understandably, there’s long been a discussion whether it’s best to stick to sneakers and ditch the heels once and for all, or continue wearing the heels and only use sneakers on certain occasions.
Thankfully, along came a trend called athleisure that put sneakers back in the fashion spotlight and more and more women started waving heels goodbye. Love them or hate them, truth is sneakers are as stylish as they can be, and they provide more benefits than you can imagine.
Sneakers Are Comfortable
Pretty apparent, though I have to point it out, they’re the most comfortable footwear you can ever choose to introduce into your wardrobe. This is especially true nowadays with more of the sneakers women can choose from at the stores as they’re focused on orthotics and features such as antimicrobial and anatomical removable insoles. In addition, they also address issues like flat arches, plantar fasciitis, as well as foot pain in the heels and toes while offering superior comfort and custom fit with functional footbeds.
Other features, like the dual-density soles and polyurethane, midsoles are created to provide the feet with flexibility and traction no matter the surface. Leather lining is added to areas to prevent abrasion even if you’re on your feet for hours and hours on end, and provide a dry environment inside. This is perfect if your feet are prone to common fungal infections.
In fact, there are some models with M Select FRESH technology that have reactive and friendly microbes that, whenever they come into contact with the natural enzymes, they break down perspiration. This way, they eliminate sweat and the odour-causing bacteria naturally. It doesn’t matter whether you require them for long walks, a long day at work on foot, hiking, or running, sneakers have got you covered.
Besides improving your performance and protecting your feet from shock, they also ease lower body pain, promote healthy feet movements which along with exercises for healthy feet can reduce the risks of injuries. And oh, you’d benefit with improved overall posture too. Having these features in mind, it doesn’t take long to see the wide range of sneakers for women were made to promote healthy and happy feet which isn’t to say about stilettos.
High Heels Are Uncomfortable
They may look ultra-stylish but the higher the heel the bigger the problem you can expect to experience. Unlike the features and benefits, I mentioned with sneakers women can shop for, stilettos immediately cause issues – you don’t even have to wear them long to feel the discomfort. One of the areas where they cause pain primarily is the big toe joint which gets the most pressure since they aren’t the types of shoes that conform to the contours of the feet.
This is followed by the change in how the lower feet function because this footwear affects the gait, and as such it can cause additional problems in the calf muscles, heels and hamstrings. Don’t think your back is safe either because when the heels are too high they can badly impact the glut muscles so what you’re left with is slouching which happens to be a bad habit that of course leads to lower back pain.
Sneakers Are Versatile
Okay, I’m not implying high heels aren’t versatile but now that more of the focus is on women sneakers given that even celebrities like Kirsten Stewart are ditching the heels, there are more models you can choose from. Not only are they available in various colours and hues, but they’re also made from a variety of materials so let’s just say you’re spoiled for choice.
And don’t even get me started on the styles! Since the range is so vast, the advice is to choose first and foremost based on the occasion you need them for. When looking for the ideal pair for the gym and running, you require something more athletic, same as with being out and about hiking. Whereas for travelling and casual strolls through the cities you need something stylish so you can pick the colours and prints based on the outfits you plan to wear them with.
Great news is sneakers have become so fashionable that many women are also wearing them with their skirts and dresses along with other girly outfits – a reason more to get rid of those uncomfortable stilettos. Some like Serena Williams go as far as pairing them with evening gowns at weddings and special events.
In other words, you truly have the green light when finding the suitable clothing pieces for such footwear. With a little TLC, your perfect pair of sneakers is going to serve you for years to come.