It's a Trick! A Podiatrist Says These Shoes Are Bad for Your Feet

These are the worst sneaker for your feet, according to a podiatrist. Here are the ones to avoid.

It's a Trick! A Podiatrist Says These Shoes Are Bad for Your Feet

We’re all beyond over the idea that beauty equals pain. Right? As a result, when it comes to fashion—footwear specifically—the style pendulum continues to shift toward shoes that are stylish and comfortable. You’ve likely noticed or currently partake in this change yourself, embracing the pain-free life with sleek kitten heels and forward sneakers.

But there’s a catch when it comes to the latter specifically. While it’s brilliant in theory to bop around in cool trainers as opposed to stilettos, there’s one seemingly comfy on-trend sneaker silhouette that may be the worst for your feet, causing long-term painful effects. And we went straight to the expert—Gotham Footcare founder Miguel Cunha—to weigh in further.

When chatting about footwear styles that should actually be avoided, he called out sock sneakers. “While they may feel comfortable snugging the top of your foot, they’re not advisable shoes because they provide no support to the top and outside of your foot, which can easily lead to an ankle sprain,” he explained. Woof.

But hope is not lost—there are still plenty of other sneaker styles out there that offer more stability and support. On that note, we’re showcasing some visual inspiration and a range of these picks below. And if you’re still all about sock sneakers and want to risk it, just be very, very careful.

Dad Sneakers

Photo:

Szymon Brzóska, **The Style Stalker**

While athletic sneakers will always be a better option, dad sneakers do stabilize the ankle more and feature a wider toe box to prevent other issues like ingrown toenails.

New Balance 990 V5 Sneaker Shoes ($100)

Mango Lace-Up Panel Sneakers ($100)

Asics Gel-Lyte Iii Sneakers ($110)

Gucci Rhyton Distressed Leather Sneakers ($790)

Balenciaga Triple S Logo-Embroidered Leather, Nubuck and Mesh Sneakers ($975) "Throwback" Walking Sneakers

Great news that '90s-style influences are surging, because those old-school throwback sneakers are better for your feet than others thanks to the cushioning and non-constricting toe box.

Reebok Club C 85 Leather Sneakers ~~( $105)~~ $74

Vans Old Skool Leather-Trimmed Suede Sneakers ~~( $75)~~ $45

Adidas Originals + Lotta Volkova Sl 72 Shell, Leather and Suede Sneakers ($120)

Veja Nova Organic Cotton-Canvas Sneakers ($110)

Nike Blazer Low Leather Sneakers ($95) Thick-Soled Sneakers

Super-chunky sneakers can get heavy on the feet and cause pain, but a silhouette that has a slightly thicker sole will have greater traction to reduce injuries.

Alexander McQueen Suede and Rubber Exaggerated-Sole Ankle Boots ($690)

Tretorn Nylite Bold Platform Classic Sneakers ($85)

Superga 2790 Acotw Platform Sneakers ($80)

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Canvas High-Top Platform Sneakers ($70)

Adidas Originals + Beyoncé Superstar Leather Platform Sneakers ($200) Athletic Sneakers

Athletic sneakers–like those from Nike and New Balance—will always be your best bet because they’re designed for an active lifestyle cushioning and support.