You don’t have to be an athlete to have ankle problems. Even with long walks in uncomfortable shoes, your ankles can succumb to great stress. You may feel pain in your ankles or your knees and back by the end of the day.
If you are experiencing similar symptoms, you have likely chosen the wrong shoes for your foot type.
Choosing Shoes for People With Weak Ankles
People with weak ankles may have a dilemma of what shoes to buy: ankle support walking shoes or regular sneakers. If the shoe has an elevated cuff, it means it supports the ankle.
This may seem quite obvious, right? Let’s take a look at the properties of these types of shoes.
Low sneakers
Quality low-cut sneakers are very lightweight, and you will hardly feel them on your feet. They allow you to move faster and more comfortably. On the one hand, these sneakers do not cover the ankle.
But on the other hand, they allow the muscles to form natural support. The muscles are constantly toned during training or long walks, supporting the ankle ligaments. In turn, strong ankles are less prone to sprains and other kinds of injuries.
High sneakers
High sneakers completely cover the ankle and support it through lacing. This type of sneaker is ideal for people prone to ankle problems.
A special high sneaker design fixes the foot and ankle in the right direction at the right angle. Consequently, the foot does not turn out, and you can run or walk for a long time in these sneakers without getting injured or feeling pain at the end of the day.
There is also an alternative opinion of doctors. They believe that high sneakers support the ankle. However, the overuse of these shoes weakens the ankle muscles.
But there is still no official research proving or disproving the harm of high sneakers for people with weak ankles. In this matter, your personal preferences should guide you.
A few more tips on choosing sneakers for weak ankles
If you feel that your ankles hurt, whether you wear low or high shoes, you should see a specialist to determine the type of foot pronation. Your foot may be slightly inward or outward, which could cause joint pain.
Choosing the proper footwear can help compensate for excessive forefoot flexion. The load will be distributed evenly over the entire surface of the foot without overloading your ankles.
Also, when picking sports shoes, pay attention to the following criteria:
- Sneakers should have good cushioning;
- The right shoe fits well and fixes your foot without squeezing it;
- Sneakers should be flexible enough to allow your foot to push off the ground naturally;
- The sole should not be too flat;
- Sneakers should be made of quality materials to allow your skin to breathe and your foot to move freely.
Among other things, you should understand for what purpose you will use athletic shoes. If you need sneakers for walking, look for a model with extra cushioning in the heel area. That will help get rid of painful feelings during a long walk.
Running shoes should have good cushioning and not be too slim while not interfering with natural movements.
Forget the Ankle Problem
If suitable footwear is not a cure-all when treating weak ankles, it is at least an extremely significant element. The right sneakers will keep the foot in the correct position and minimize possible injury.