Temperature management is a common comfort feature found. These features help keep your feet warm, or they help keep them cool in warm weather; depending on the type of weather the shoe is designed for. Most on this list have cooling features, but a few have warming features, such as warm linings, as well.

Perforations
To provide ample support, many manufacturers opt to use leather or rigid synthetic materials in their shoes. However, leather and other firm materials can be hot and stuffy, which can result in the development of odors from foot sweat. These manufacturers opt to use perforations which are strategically placed to improve airflow and ventilation.

Mesh Uppers
To provide ample flexibility and effective temperature management, many come with meshes incorporated into their uppers. Mesh uppers allow more airflow than other upper materials, which keeps your feet cool and dry.

Moisture-Wicking
Moisture-wicking materials used in footwear to help cool and dry your feet, by increasing airflow and pushing moisture away from the foot. Some on this list use this feature; as well as, breathable meshes.

Water Resistance
Water resistance keeps your feet dry and comfortable in any season, as long as you don’t wholly submerge your feet in the water. This, also, keeps your feet warmer in the winter, as cold water won’t seep into the shoes as easily to cool your feet.

Warm Linings
Some linings are cotton while others are faux fur. Either way, they come with warm linings to keep your feet warm and comfortable.

Odor Development Prevention
Temperature-regulating features, also, prevent the development of odors, which means many on this list, also, have odor-development resistance; so, scents born from sweaty feet won’t stick as easily to your shoes.

All of those on this list have some degree of flexibility. Think of a pencil. A pencil is rigid, as it’s made of wood. If you put enough pressure on the pencil (trying to bend it), it will eventually snap in half. Now, imagine a bone. Bones aren’t meant to bend; joints allow us to bend our legs, arms, and fingers. Imagine putting immense pressure on a bone. It will eventually snap, too, won’t it? Placing your feet in inflexible, rigid prisons will increase your risk for injury, as they won’t be able to bend and flex naturally.

Flexible Outsoles
This footwear has flexible outsoles. Rubber and synthetic outsoles can be firm but they can, also, provide some flexibility; depending on the composition and modifications that are made to them by the shoe manufacturer. Outsoles often have flex grooves or cuts in the outsole that allow the sole to bend more freely.

Flexible Uppers
They come with uppers that are flexible, too. These uppers are often made with meshes and softer fabrics to allow the upper to stretch and flex with your foot’s natural movements.

Flexible Closures
Most on this list are either slip-on or lace-up shoes. They come with elastic closures, which are popular because the opening of the footwear can be stretched and opened wider to allow the foot to slide in quickly and, then, the footwear can be closed around the foot to provide a comfortable, secure fit.

Safety is a significant factor to consider when you are buying. But even if you aren’t a shoe expert, you likely look for footwear which provides many of these safety features. You know what works and what doesn’t work for your feet from years of experience with shoes – we all wear them, after all! One of the first things you think about is how the shoe feels when you put it on and which sounds like a comfort feature. But many safety features, also, increase how comfortable it is for your foot!

Not all feet are built the same, just like no two people are the same. As such, everyone has different needs. Some people need more cushioning to offset their naturally heavy footstrikes. Others require stabilization features to reduce overpronation and protect their feet from injuries and falls.

Safety features are important to consider when you are buying for a specific purpose, such as taking a beach vacation, running a marathon, or walking around the office all day. There are hazards in each of these situations and, fortunately, there are shoes designed for each of these situations.

First and foremost, footwear is a protective barrier between your feet and the outside world. As such, the top shoes provide many of the safety features listed here.

Cushioning
Cushioning is a safety feature. Yes, cushioning provides comfort, but that’s not all it does. Cushioning adds an extra layer of protection between your feet and the outside world. Cushioning, also, includes shock absorption, which reduces the impact of walking, running or dancing on your feet.

Force is generated from each impact between your foot and the ground. Newton’s Third Law of Motion states that each action will have an equal and opposite reaction. When you walk or run, you are pressing down on the ground. As the ground doesn’t sink with every step you take (unless you’re in sand or something similar) the ground is pressing back up against your foot. The force generated by your foot pressing down on the ground has to go somewhere. So, when the ground below you doesn’t shift, you can propel yourself forward. However, there is a by-product of each footstrike: shock. Shock travels from your foot up to your ankles, shins, and all the way up to your back! Also, known as load-rate, over time, this can become painful and cause real damage to your ankles, legs, and spine.

Cushioning strategically placed in areas of the footwear in the right amount can prevent serious injury, which is why many of the shoes featured have ample cushioning in them.

Padding
Some of the footwear on this list have padding on the tongue, collar, and in the walls of the upper, in order to create a sort of soft packaging to protect your feet from painful bumps. Think of it like this: when you order something fragile online, it is shipped in Styrofoam or bubble wrap. The same concept applies to your feet inside your shoes.

Many people need stability shoes or footwear which provides motion control to prevent over or underpronation. Some footwear sacrifices cushioning for support features, but many come with ample cushioning and support. Support and stability features encourage normal pronation and promote natural foot motion. Support and stability features reduce the wearer’s risk of rolling a foot or ankle.

Overlays
Many athletic shoes on this list come with leather or synthetic overlays. These overlays serve a purpose other than making you look cool. Overlays are used to provide support and are made of mesh or fabric uppers, which provide little support on their own.

Air Pockets
Overlays aren’t the only way to provide support in the upper. Thin air pockets are sometimes added to the walls of the upper to provide light cushioning. Air pockets are, usually, used in the sole of the shoe. Air pockets provide responsive cushioning in the area they are placed in, such as the heel or under the arch.

Outsole Material & Technologies
Most come with rubber or synthetic outsoles, which as we discussed earlier, provide great shock-absorption qualities. Rubber or synthetic outsoles, also, offer support, as they are firmer than a fabric or suede bottom. These outsoles are often enhanced with stabilization and support technologies placed in different areas of the outsole.

The price of a shoe can sometimes be a deal breaker. That’s part of the reason why footwear manufacturers invest time and energy into creating cost-effective technologies to incorporate into their shoes to make them durable, long-lived, versatile, and inexpensive.

Durability & Longevity
Footwear, usually, lasts more than a few months, because shoes that are going to fall apart after a few months of use aren’t worth the investment of more than a few dollars. Leather and synthetic overlays can be used to make the shoes more durable without sacrificing flexibility. Firm leather or synthetic uppers provide durability and support.

Versatility
Great footwear can be used for more than one activity. Walking and running shoes, for example, can be used in some casual sports. Stylish athletic footwear could be used in informal work environments. Sandals can be used in casual and semi-formal settings. The more situations you can use the shoe in, the more value it offers for the price.

Maintenance
Good footwear is easy to maintain and clean. They don’t require a lot of expensive shoe treatments or time-consuming upkeep. Shoes that need a lot of effort, time and money to maintain, don’t sell as well as shoes which are easier and cost less to keep.

Removable inserts
As mentioned earlier, removable inserts in footwear make it customizable, but that’s not the only bonus to removable inserts. Removable inserts increase the longevity of the shoe, which is why some come with removable inserts.

Cost
A hefty price tag can be a deal-breaker for people on a budget. That’s why many can be found in the low-to-middle price range. They’re affordable, and if they are priced a little higher than others, then they offer many features to make the footwear worth the extra investment.