Shoes need to provide plenty of padding to fit the type of surface the bare foot needs. The least cushioning shoe is a stiff, so-called supportive shoe. The ideal shoe should be loose and giving. The best cushioning shoe is the running shoe. It’s the most physiological shoe made. Soft and flexible, it provides cushioning with a small bit of support. Leather shoes breathe better if your feet perspire. Women that wear a high-heeled, thin-soled shoe, should have a thin rubber sole glued onto the bottom to cushion the ball of the foot.

You should fit shoes with your hands, not with your feet. There should be an index finger’s width between the tip of the toes and the front of the shoe. Tell the salesperson to start with a half size bigger than you normally wear and work down. The shoe should not be forced out of shape when you stand up. The leather should not be drawn tight.

An ideal heel height for a woman is 1 1/2-2 inches. This isn’t a magical number; merely the most comfortable. If a man wore a 1 1/2-inch heel, he would be more comfortable than in the more common 3/4-inch heel.

Flat feet are not bad feet. A flat, flexible foot is very functional. Many great athletes have them. The problem is the shoe manufactures doesn’t construct shoes to fit flat feet. Look for low-heeled shoes that feel balanced. They shouldn’t thrust your weight forward on the balls of your feet or leave a gap at the arches.

Try on shoes in the late afternoon when your feet have had a full day’s workout and are somewhat spread. Shoes that you try on first thing in the morning may be too tight by evening and uncomfortable for all-day wear.