When selecting footwear remember these points

1. Always have your feet measured in a standing position as our feet can change in length and width from a sitting position. The end of the day is preferred as our feet often swell during the day. 

2. Select shoes that are appropriate to the activity you wish to use them for. Don't be afraid to ask for advice from the shoe store.

3. The upper also known as the vamp is the part of the shoe with laces that sits around our foot and secures it to the midsole.

4. Heel counters are the collar that sit around the heel, they need to be firm to offer support.

5. The toe box is the area where our toes sit. This needs to be adequate to accomadate our toes but not too roomy so as to cause our toes to slide around and grip the shoes.

6. The midsole sits immediately above the out sole of the shoe and  needs to be firm but still offer shock absorption and preferably reinforced with a shank. The region directly under the ball of the foot needs some flexibilty.

7. The foot flexes naturally at the ball of the foot and this should be the same for the shoe. Hold the shoe at the heel with one hand and the toe box with the other and flex the shoe. If it bends like a banana in the middle of the shoe it is probably to flexible. 

8. Shoes stay on the foot and offer better support with some type of fastening system such as laces, buckle or valcro.

9. Choose an outsole that best suites your needs that is grip and tread pattern.