How to Choose the Right Shoes for Everyday Comfort

A shoe you wear ten hours a day deserves more minutes than most of us give it. Comfort does not come from the name or the look; it comes from four things you can check yourself before you buy. The first is cushioning. Press your thumb into the midsole at the heel: if it gives a little and springs back, the foam absorbs impact; if it stays hard as wood, you will feel every step on a tiled floor. The second is forefoot flex. Hold the shoe at both ends and bend it: it should bend where your toes bend, not in the middle. The third is the upper. Mesh and knit breathe in summer and suit people who walk a lot; synthetic leather is tougher and easier to clean, but warmer. The fourth is size: try shoes at the end of the day, when your feet are at their largest, and leave a finger's width between your longest toe and the front of the shoe. And if the pair is for work and walking both, pick a full-length rubber outsole, because exposed foam wears quickly on pavements.