“When looking for a fall boot, check that the boot is not too narrow at the heel or at the toes, which will prevent your toes from having room to maintain their regular position needed for function,” Dr. Adenike Sonaike, a podiatrist with Baker Street Health In Motion in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, told us. “A boot with a flimsy material can cause ankle instability. A boot made of leather can provide support and mold to your foot shape over time making them comfortable to wear.”
According to Sonaike, while they may be in style this season, pointy-toed shoes can lead to arthritic joints, bunions and painful calluses. Furthermore, if you know you have weak ankles or a history of ankle sprains or injuries, Sonaike says you should avoid any styles described as “glove” or “sock” boots. Lastly, if you’re seeking a boot with a little height, “stretching should be part of your regular routine because your Achilles tendon will get accustomed to functioning at a shorter length,” Sonaike said, recommending toe touches to “help elongate the tendon to prevent Achilles tendinitis.”
Michael Fishkin, a certified pedorthist at Northern Illinois Foot & Ankle Specialists, says to really take a look at the shape of your feet and to try to look for shoes that match you. “You want to make sure that with any shoe that has a pointed/almond-shaped toe, your toes are not in the narrowest part of the boot,” Fishkin told us. “A full thumbnail of space from the end of the footwear to the longest toe is ideal.”
Of course, while both experts express that trying on shoes in person is ideal, they understand that buying online is often more convenient and can give you more options. Sonaike and Fishkin recommend looking into a store’s return and shopping policies and ordering shoes in two different sizes (often your usual size and a half size larger) to see what fits best. “Pay close attention to the side profile of the shoe,” Sonaike said. “The side profile (the side with the medial arch) can provide details such as the heel height, sole thickness and arch shape/support of the shoe you wish to purchase.”
