Closer Fit
Wearing shoes that fit properly and support your feet is vital to avoid sore feet and to prevent or alleviate many common foot problems. It's also important to choose footwear that will minimize your risk of falling and slipping. Consider the activity, the surface and your need for support. Make sure the shoes fit. Protect your feet by wearing shoes and socks whenever you go outdoors. Wearing comfortable shoes that fit well can prevent many foot problems. Here are some tips for making sure your shoes fit:

- Shoe size may change as you age so always have your feet measured before buying shoes. The best time to measure your feet is at the end of the day when your feet are largest.
- Most of us have one foot that is larger than the other; fit your shoe to your larger foot.
- Don't buy shoes by the size without trying them on first. The size marked inside the shoe may not fit you.
- Walk in the shoes to make sure they feel right.
- Choose a shoe that is shaped like your foot. Styles like high heels or pointed toes can hurt feet.
- Stand up when trying on shoes to make sure there is about 1/2 inch between your toe and the end of the shoe.
- Have socks you normally wear to walk or workout in? Use them when trying on a new shoe.
- Make sure the ball of your foot fits comfortably into the widest part of the shoe.
- Don't buy shoes that feel too tight and hope that they will stretch.
- The heel of the shoe should not slide up and down on your heel when you walk.
- The upper part of the shoes should be made of a soft, bendable material to match the shape of your foot.
- Soles should give solid footing and not slip. Thick soles cushion your feet when walking on hard surfaces.
- Low-heeled shoes are more comfortable, safer, and less damaging than high-heeled shoes.

Wear supportive shoes with softer soles and innersoles
People who spend a lot of time on hard surfaces—such as concrete—are more prone to heel and forefoot pain and may develop more calluses and corns. To reduce the stresses though your feet caused by standing on hard surfaces, wear supportive shoes (preferably lace-up) with softer soles and innersoles. Arch supports will help distribute weight over a larger surface area so that pressure is not focused on the heel and forefoot.

Wear socks
Why socks? They reduce moisture, and that protects against blistering.

Lace-up boots may ease sore feet
Lace-up boots maintain the alignment of the leg so that the muscles and ligaments on either side of the foot have even amounts of pressure placed on them. This can help to reduce foot soreness. However, lace-up boots can restrict the range of movement at the ankle joint. As a general rule, wear boots that don't come too high above the ankle and make sure they fit comfortably around the front of the ankle, preferably with a padded tongue.

Appropriate footwear is vital for playing sport
Sportspeople require footwear that provides cushioning for shock absorption during running and jumping and stability for side-to-side activity. Sports shoes should bend easily at the ball of the foot, and the back of the shoe should be supportive and cradle the heel to prevent injury.

Alternate your shoes
Alternating your shoes from one day to the next will help to vary the posture of the foot and distribute the load over a greater range of joints and muscles. It will also allow your shoes to dry out and therefore reduce the growth of bacteria. Alternating sports footwear allows the foam cushioning greater time to 'rebound'. This may help prolong the life of your shoes.

Every shoe has its day
Around the 350-mile mark, you should part company with your trusted friend, and look for a new one. One mile of walking places over 60 tons of stress on each foot and shoe. Even the most durable cushioning will start to give.