Shoe Wear Patterns: Translated

Before purchasing your next pair of shoes, inspect your old pair for wear patterns. By knowing what the wear patterns mean, you can look for a pair of shoes that will hold up to the wear and tear of normal use as well as extending the life of those shoes. Shoes form wear patterns from the stress the feet place on the shoe.

What wear patterns mean:

• Ever have wear or a bulge on the side of the big toe? This means you are purchasing shoes that are too narrow. Or, you could have a bunion. Look for shoes with wide width. 
• Are the outer soles of your shoes worn? If so, you have a tendency to turn your foot out. You may need to be fitted with orthotics. 
• Are there toe imprints on the upper shoe? Your shoes may be too small or you may have a hammertoe. 
• Wear on the ball of the foot? Your heel tendons may be too tight. 
• Wear on the inner sole? You turn your foot inward. You may need to be fitted with orthotics.

Image by Nick Richards. (2008). New shoes, same as the old shoes. Flickr.