As summer approaches, chances are you will find yourself on the hunt for some new shoes. Whether you need something active, dressy or just something to get you from the beach to the pub and back again, there are a few things to look for to make sure your new kicks don’t do you any damage. 

Good Arch Support

One of the most important features of a new pair of shoes is also one of the most overlooked. Proper arch support impacts everything from your posture, your balance right through to ensuring your whole body has the support it needs to prevent injuries. Despite this, many shoes today don’t provide enough arch support. The good news is, insoles are an easy fix to boost the arch support in your favourite pair of shoes that fit quickly and easily into almost any shoe. Explore our range of insoles here. 

Space for Toes  

When buying new shoes, fit really is everything. To help prevent injury and ensure you stay comfortable, choose shoes that allow adequate room for your toes to ensure they aren’t curled up and under pressure. The best way to test this? Do a few laps of the shop before buying! 

A Firm Heel 

Another mark of good support in a pair of shoes is a stiff heel. As a quick test, try grabbing the heel of the shoe in one hand and the back of the shoe above the heel in the other — the shoe should hold firm when you try to twist it. 

Correct Width

While everyone knows their shoe size, not as many people are familiar with the width of their feet. Wearing shoes that are too narrow for your feet can create pressure and lead to all sorts of injuries over time. It’s a good idea to check your foot width from time to time as the shape of our feet tends to change over time. 

The Right Amount of Give  

Flexibility is incredibly important in shoes. Ideally, you want a shoe that will move with your foot and support the natural movements of your body by bending where your toes bend. If you’re looking for a great range of casual footwear that does just that, explore our range here. 

What strange times we find ourselves in. While some of the country has all but gone back to normal, Melbourne and parts of Victoria are still in the grips of the most intense lockdown Australia has ever seen. 

Keeping in line with these new regulations can take a big toll on your health, so we wanted to talk about one of the best ways to exercise your body and your mind, whether you’re in lockdown or not. We’re talking about walking. 

Here are three reasons a quick walk can be your saviour in these trying times. 

It Boosts Creativity and Wellbeing

It’s no secret being stuck at home with the same four walls to look at doesn’t exactly inspire creativity. The good news is, a recent study out of Stanford University has found that the brain is at its most creative when the body is moving at around 5km per hour, the speed of a stroll. You don’t even need to dedicate hours to it either, anywhere from 5-16 minutes should be enough to get those creative juices flowing.

You can Stay Social (From a Distance)

One of the most arduous parts of the lockdown is its impact on social activities, with many Melburnians finding themselves stuck at home with little social interaction outside their families or housemates. 

The good news about walking is, not only can you do it outside where the risk of virus transmission is at its lowest, it’s a great way to interact with your community, from a safe distance of course. 

Your Body will Thank You 

While more vigorous forms of exercise often get all the credit when it comes to burning fat and boosting overall health, a brisk walk or jog can pack a serious punch. 

Studies have shown that walking as little as 30 minutes per day can bring big health benefits, including strengthening of bones and muscles, improvement of balance and coordination, prevention of conditions like heart disease and high blood pressure and helping maintain a healthy weight. 

Before you Begin

While walking and jogging are very safe forms of physical activity, all exercise brings with it a risk of injury. That being said, there are a few easy things you can do before getting started to minimise the risk of injury. 

• Take the time to stretch and warm-up
  
• Choose to walk or run on grass rather than hard surfaces 
  
• Make sure you have appropriate shoes with good heel and arch support. You can check out our range of orthotics for walking and running here.