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The best teacher shoes offer comfort on the feet right from the first fit. If you’ll ask me what are the most comfortable shoes for teachers and if you’ll ever find one, I have tips for you.
Since your job requires you to stand a lot, don’t wear the wrong shoes. It can take a toll on your body, especially your feet. It is only proper and a MUST that you invest in footwear that can keep your feet comfortable. Here are the tips.
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What Are the Most Comfortable Shoes for Teachers?
Comfort and attractiveness when it comes to teacher shoes don’t always go hand in hand. Some may be wearing a nice-looking pair but can’t walk longer because the shoes are squeezing the toes. If not too heavy, there are pairs that are too flat leaving teachers a little out of balance.
If you know other teachers who are experiencing foot problems – the culprit may just be the wrong type of footwear. Look for shoes that podiatrist recommends.
1) Shoes with the Perfect Fit
The most comfortable shoes for teachers should have the perfect fit. It’s a big no-no when they are too big or too small.
To get a perfect size: fit and feel at all angles when buying in a physical store. Stand and walk around in the shoes. Try pressing on the top of the footwear and feel if your toes are comfortable while walking. Wiggle your toes. Is there enough space for them to move? If the ball of your foot feels dense and compressed, the heel or toe part hurts – go for the next size.
Different types of shoes are also sized differently. So knowing the precise length is significantly important to help you in this quest. I suggest that you get your foot’s measurement in centimeters to help you go through the manufacturer’s size chart and determine which size is best to fit you.
2) Shoes That Feel Comfortable from the Start
Nothing beats a pair of shoes that feel like clouds when you are on them. Comfortable shoes accommodate the arch or the middle part of your feet. When you walk on the shoe, does your foot comfortably rest into the widest part of the shoe which is the middle?
The arch is that slightly hollow part in the middle of your foot. This area works very hard in supporting the body while standing or walking. It holds bones, tendons, and ligaments that allow the foot to support your weight. If you have been feeling discomfort in this part, pay attention to your arch the next time you buy shoes.
Shoes with a good foundation have the right support. If you were to choose between comfortability and design, always choose the first one.
3) Shoes that are Flexible
Teacher shoes that are comfortable help prevent back problems. So if your shoes have the ability to bend, it is good for the back.
Your feet do all the legwork for you so it is only fair to give them air and space to move and function with ease. Most body points are located on your feet. As you walk, the feet naturally move themselves providing the balance you need with every step.
Check if the footwear soles should be designed to bear flexural forces and pressure. Soles that are not elastic and flexible will affect the strength of the sole’s property and easily will crack.
So to check for shoe flexibility, do the ‘bending’ test below:
- Bend the shoe and the sole – it should show a V form flexibly.
- Next is to lift your heel. It should bend along the ball of your foot. A good shoe does not contradict the natural movement of your feet.
4) Keep Them as Flat as Possible
Should female teachers impose going flats?
Since a teacher’s job involves a lot of standing and walking, flatter heels are more comfortable. This relaxes the calf muscles and allows both feet and legs to move freely and securely. The relaxed environment in the lower extremities helps distribute your body weight evenly across the soles of your feet, leaving them less stressed from a day’s work.
What if you like high heels?
Again, comfortability is your top priority. 2 or 3 inches heels are nice if your schedule does not require a lot of walking and standing. Also, wearing high heels for long periods of standing adds additional strain on your legs and feet. It can compromise proper circulation and contribute to blood pooling in your veins. The result is pain and discomfort.
A little heel is more suitable as it allows your feet to walk comfortably than in higher heels. Experts say, your shoes should be raised by at least ¼ of an inch. That is is enough to give you an extremely professional look. A low but wider heel may also give you more steadiness so you keep a good balance, as well.
5) Attractiveness & Design Matters
Female teachers
Do you like the polished look of wedges so you don’t have to wear heels that look like towers? Maybe you prefer the feminine appeal of shoes that fasten with laces? Let us say you like a bit formal so you are opting between court shoes or ankle boots.
Male teachers
While rubber shoes are every men’s favorite, leather is a noble and malleable material. It is widely used for most men’s shoes for being light, strong, and supple. Leather is also well known for its breathability, ability to insulate heat, as well as regulating temperature. Most leather shoes are made to adjust perfectly to the feet of the wearer.
There are various options to choose from. Having the right combination of outfit and footwear is a game-changer for a teacher’s self-esteem when teaching in class.
Signs Your Shoes Are Wrong
Discomfort is the first thing you’ll notice in a badly-fitting shoe. It could be too small or too large that your arches are suffering. If you have one or all of the pains and aches below – you have the wrong shoes.
- Your toenail hurts and your toes are infected. That’s due to a too-narrow toe cap.
- You’re getting blisters. The major culprit is the stiff material that keeps brushing on your skin.
- Calluses? You may be wearing too-tight footwear and your feet are stuck in a confined shape.
- Pain in the midfoot. Your shoes have no correct arch support so the middle area bears your weight.
Why Not All Expensive Shoes Are Comfortable
Yes and no. Price is not a determining factor for comfortable shoes.
A $100 pair of shoes may sound elegant but not when it doesn’t have the right features. Many expensive shoes are designer brands that require you to pay for the brand name. If you’re wondering why your most expensive shoe collection hurts – this explains why.
On the other hand, high prices on non-designer shoes may be driven by the high cost of raw materials used to ensure quality in the footwear. Here, you can notice the comfort brought from the padding to the midsole fit – which all explains how the design was intended for user ease.
Now cheap pair of shoes obviously have no special items added to make it extra comfortable. So you have to make sure it fits well the moment you buy it. You may realize it has gone too loose that your arches feel so exhausted at the end of the day, or your beautiful feet are surrounded with blisters.
Make the above your guide when buying footwear. Only you can distinguish why a certain pair of shoes are sold at higher prices.
When it comes to shoes, the number one thing you need to look out for is comfort. Here is a video with shoe tips for your foot type.
How to Eliminate Foot and Back Pain
For teachers who are experiencing foot and back pain every day, these tips can help:
- Provide a pair of slippers inside your classroom’s table that you can easily slip on and give your feet some between-classes rest.
- A kitchen gel mat is a lifesaver. You can stand on them while teaching to give your feet something soft and squishy to stand on.
- After a tiring day, rest for 15 minutes and then relax your feet by soaking them in warm water.
- Be very strict in your next pair of shoes. If it doesn’t feel good, go for the next option.
In Essence
I know a female teacher who likes wearing casual or athletic shoes. The stereotype of these shoes has gotten her almost in “question” for being too sporty. She found it ridiculous that anyone would think her choice of shoes was outside the professional setting. Those were closed shoes and looked so neat. So what could have been the problem?
Well, different individuals have different likes. There are so many casuals and sporty teacher shoes that can go with any school activity. Finding the balance between function, comfort, and style defines the most comfortable teacher shoes.
Do you have some tips about finding the most comfortable shoes that teachers should be wearing? Please don’t hesitate to comment below.
