Best Quality Footwear – Comfort, Style, Orthotic-Friendly

Did you know that the average person takes 10,000 steps per day? As your feet are responsible for balance, mobility, stamina and movement, keeping them healthy is the easiest way to protect your body from injuries and health implications that can stem from improper shoes. At BioPed, you’ll find footwear suitable for the widest variety of foot types, conditions and lifestyles.

Athletic Footwear

Athletic shoes should provide maximum overall shock absorption for the foot and have good heel control. These qualities in a running/sports shoe help prevent shin splints, tendinitis, heel pain, stress fractures and other overuse syndromes. Look for:

 

  • Good heel control while remaining flexible under the ball of the foot. Such shoes are good for a wide variety of foot types.
  • Adequate support for the upper foot, heel, and ankle is vital in a good pair of running shoes. Your BioPed Canadian Certified Pedorthist will help you understand the shape of your feet and the way that your feet and ankles move during any activity.
  • Consider the width of your foot in addition to its length. A shoe should not be too wide or the foot will have too much room to shift during the run.
  • Your weight will affect the amount of force to which the shoe is subjected. Depending on your activity, the force that you exert on the soles of your athletic shoes may double or triple. With greater weight and force, thicker soles that offer extra cushioning against impact may be required.

Our Top Selling Brands:

AsicsBrooksEtonicNew BalanceSaucony

Comfort Footwear

Shoes that are comfortable and fit your feet can help prevent injuries such as blisters and calluses. A comfort or walking shoe should be fairly lightweight and provide good shock absorption. Speak with your BioPed Canadian Certified Pedorthist about the following features and what will suit you best:

 

  • Achilles notch: Reduces stress on the Achilles tendon.
  • Ankle collar: Cushions the ankle and ensures proper fit.
  • Upper: Holds the shoe on your foot and is usually made of leather, mesh or synthetic material.
  • Insole: Cushions and supports your foot and arch. Removable insoles can be laundered or taken out and replaced with a custom orthotic
  • Midsole: Provides comfort, cushioning and shock absorption.
  • Outsole: Makes contact with the ground. Grooves and treads can help maintain traction.
  • Toe box: Provides space for the toes. A roomy and round toe box helps prevent calluses.

 

When selecting comfort/walking shoes, also consider –

 

  • The shape and size of your feet. Your shoes should conform to the shape of your feet. Your feet should never be forced to conform to the shape of a pair of shoes.
  • Shoes that are too narrow or too wide can lead to painful blisters and calluses. A toe box for example, that is not high enough and doesn’t provide enough room for your toes can aggravate foot disorders such as bunions and hammertoes.
  • The intricate alignment of bones, muscles, ligaments and tendons in your feet forms side-to-side (metatarsal) and lengthwise (longitudinal) arches. As you walk, these springy, flexible arches help distribute your body weight evenly across your feet. Your arches play an important role in how you adapt to various surfaces as you walk. Your BioPed Canadian Certified Pedorthist will help you understand arch height and ensure that the comfort shoes you select are truly.. comfortable!

Our Top Selling Brands:

AetrexFinn ComfortHaflingerOrthofeetPortofino

Sandals

BioPed carries a wide range of sandals that are both fashionable while being smart and foot-healthy choices. Look for sandals with a:

 

  • Flexible Forefoot: This will help you roll through your foot from heel to toe without altering your natural stride. Avoid sandals with rigid soles that cause the feet to “slap” the ground.
  • Contoured Footbed: Many sandals have flat footbeds that offer little support. Look for sandals with contoured footbeds designed to complement the natural curves of the feet and have good arch support, heel cup and toe grip. Some sandals permit you to remove the footbed and replace them with a custom orthotic!
  • Ankle Strap: Select sandals that hold your foot securely in place. The foot should not travel back and forth in the footbed and the heel should not slide up and down. Look for sandals with straps that encircle the ankle.
  • Cushioned Midsole: A good sandal should offer shock absorption features. Cushioning in the heel is particularly important as this is the part of the foot that bears the brunt of your weight.

Our Top Selling Brands:

BirkenstockCambrianFidelioMephistoSASSOLE

Orthopaedic Footwear

Though orthopedic shoes are often designed to treat specific conditions, there are a few basic characteristics that are consistently important. Look for these key features and be sure to speak with your BioPed Canadian Certified Pedorthist who will assist you in selecting the correct orthopaedic shoe for your foot condition:

 

  • A wide and deep toe box: Hammertoe, claw toe, corns, calluses, blisters, and bunions are a few of the foot deformities that can be caused or aggravated by toe boxes that are too narrow or too shallow. Cramming your toes into a shoe is not worth the long-term consequences to your health. Your toes should be able to spread out comfortably in your shoes with wiggle-room to spare. Look for round or square toes over pointy-toed shoes.
  • Removable insoles: Purchasing shoes with removable insoles allows you to change the size of your shoes in order to accommodate the swelling of your feet. It also enables you to replace your insoles with custom orthotics.
  • Firm heel counter: Heel counters are designed to add stability to the shoe. To check if a shoe has a firm heel counter, press your thumbs against the back of the heel. If the heel bends inward easily, it does not have a firm heel counter. If the heel resists bending, a firm heel counter is present.
  • Contoured foot bed: Orthopedic shoes should complement the natural curves of the foot. Contoured foot beds are designed to fit and support your feet in all the crucial places.
  • Rocker bottom sole: Shoes with a “rocker bottom” sole have an outsole that points slightly upward at the toe and the back of the heel so that the foot rolls smoothly through its stride without putting excessive pressure on the ball of the foot. Note though that rocker bottomsoles are not for everyone. Check with your BioPed Canadian Certified Pedorthist to make sure that this feature is beneficial for your condition.
  • Seamless interior: Smooth interiors are especially important for people with conditions such as diabetes or lymphedema, or who are vulnerable to minor foot injuries. A seamless interior helps to protect the delicate skin of the foot from friction along the seam line.
  • Breathable uppers: Keeping the foot dry is important when it comes to keeping the foot infection free. Shoes that are made out of breathable materials promote air circulation and keep the shoe free of sweat and other moisture.
  • Padded tongue and collar: An ultra-soft tongue and collar helps to prevent irritation that can lead to minor foot injuries such as blisters and calluses

Our Top Selling Brands:

AcorDr ComfortFinn ComfortPW MinorPortofino

Work Boot & Safety Shoes

Work boots vary depending on your specific line of work and work environment but there are several basic features that you should look for:

 

  • Reinforced toe box: Toes are a particularly vulnerable area of your body and a reinforced toe box, or even a steel toe, can help protect you from injury. A boot with a reinforced toe is absolutely essential for professions that involve heavy lifting or power tools.
  • Slip resistant soles: Most quality work boots and shoes should have thick, rubber soles with deep tread for excellent traction. If you work in an environment that commonly has wet or oily floors, make sure your boots advertise “slip resistant” soles.
  • Molded outsole and upper: Boots that have the upper and outsole molded together will last longer than boots that are glued or stitched together.
  • Weather appropriate: If you work outside in cold temperatures, make sure to purchase insulated boots. Choose boots with the appropriate amount of insulation for your climate.
  • Breathable materials: Most quality work boots are made from leather. If you work outside in hot weather, ask for boots made with materials and construction that allow your feet to breathe.

Our Top Selling Brands:

JB GoodhueKeenLowaRed Wing Shoe CompanyRocky Boots