You can care for your feet

By investing in a pair of shoes with the right fit

One of the best ways to care for your feet is to invest in a good pair of shoes with a good fit, made for running, we used to think that the shoe companies were crazyseparate shoes for cricket, tennis, basketball, running, walking etc. But, if you think about it, your foot movement for each of these activities, and the surface you are on, are totally different. So, it stands to reason that your feet need different sorts of support, just as you would never play tennis with a squash ball or cricket with a baseball.

Running shoes are designed for forward motion, so they don't support you well when you move in other directions. So don't use them for a variety of sport and expect them to perform well thereno matter how expensive they are.

Running shoes have additional cushioning and strength to absorb shock as your foot hits the ground (normally close to the heel). They take three times your body weight on impact as opposed to walking shoes. So, ensure they have a strong heelthe brands have different names for their materials and technology, but, the basic function is similar.

Running shoes should be flexible and light.

"Stability" or "motion control" shoes are less flexible, have a thicker heel and help decrease excessive pronation. They also tend to have an almost impossible-to-press section in the middle part of the sole, near the arch. A very easy "press test" will show you that.

Look for shoes with extra cushioning (not firm) at the arch area to help absorb the added impact on your foot strikes, if you are a supinator.

There is a three-phase sequence for checking stability. First, bend the shoe toe to heel to see where it flexes. If it's not at the forefootwhere the foot actually bendsbe afraid. Then grip both ends and twist in opposite directions. If you can wring it like a towel, that means there's zero support.Finally squeeze the heel in both directions, right above the midsole. A stable heel won't cave in.