RIGIDITY IN SHOE SOLES PROVIDES SUPPORT

If you have flat feet or high arches, finding the appropriate shoe with supportive arches is a must. And why exactly? Amnon Barnea, DPM of Walk NYC Podiatry says, "The arch is the ultimate architectural design [of the foot]," and having adequate support for your arches enables your feet to "function as an accelerator and decelerator of motion, provides structural stability and capability of transitioning from a superb shock absorber at 'heel strike' to a semi-rigid structure needed for 'push off.'"

 

Dr. Amnon Barnea

 

Dr. Barnea says, "It is widely believed that arches need softer or 'cushiony' materials for comfort. However, the arch actually requires some rigidity for better support, which reduces the compressive forces of the body on the arches. Shoes with soles that are very soft and 'bend' in the middle are less supportive. Soles with firmer materials under the arch or those with a beveled heel and a forefoot rocker offer excellent support."

 

Source: Gaby Keiderling, Oprah Daily [6/22/23]

Courtesy of Barry Block, editor of PM News