Many factors go into deciding the comfort levels of a design (such as the material quality, the fit, the adjustability, breathability, etc), but none more so than cushioning.

Cushioning comes in many varieties. There are ankle support shoes without any cushioning, all the way up to those with a lot of it.

Some people need stiffer cushioning, whereas others might be in need of softer cushioning. Arches, the weight of the person, and pronation types play a huge role in this, as well as the type of activity you're engaging in. In other words, arches and pronation types are not going to matter much if you choose to play basketball in a pair of high heels.

If you're looking for additional comfort features, make sure to pay attention to the footbed, as a molded or contoured footbed provides good arch support, which you need to stave off foot fatigue. Furthermore, a removable insole may also help, as it allows you to increase the space inside your design, should you need it.

Finally, to make sure that you are choosing the most comfortable option for yourself, pay attention to the materials of a design. If they are natural, such as genuine leather and suede, then these materials will change shape over time and mold to the forms of your foot, providing you with a tailored type of comfort. Similar is true with lightweight materials, such as mesh and canvas, which are breathable and provide a sock-like fit.

However, keep in mind that synthetics, like faux leather, are not as malleable, and thus may not be as comfortable.

Midsoles: Midsoles play an important role in ankle health. In addition to providing comfort, a midsole creates a more stable environment and is responsible for decreasing load rates in conjunction with returning stored energy. By releasing the stored energy gained from your foot placement upon a surface, the best footwear will put a ‘spring’ into your toe-off. This quality helps to minimize impact force, thereby, increasing the chances you will avoid an injury.

Tongue: The tongue should fit snug and provide additional lockdown while remaining comfortable. Sometimes, tongues tend to slip to the side, reducing the support they provide. Depending on the situation, anytime foot support is lowered, the risk of injury potentially rises. So, it is paramount to check the tongue for fit and increased snug-effect. The ‘bootie’ design has one of the better tongues out there.

Shank Plate: Without a shank plate, your footwear would more-or-less fold in on itself. The shank plate is made from many different materials. One of the most expensive parts of a design, the cost can drastically increase when a high-grade shank plate is present. It lies between the outsole and the insole and is responsible for stability and durability. If you can bend your shoes at the midfoot, they either have a really bad shank plate or there is none present (think house slippers).

Heel Counter: The heel counter can either add balance or take it away, depending on its design. In high-quality basketball sneakers, the heel counter creates a more snug environment around the heel, thereby, initiating greater stability. The same is true for everyday footwear as well. If you want stability and to avoid rolling your ankle, then definitely aim for footwear which has a solid heel counter.

When looking for the perfect fit, there are a few things you want to remember:

• Your shoes need to fit a half-inch from the toe box to the tip of your longest toe.
• Your feet are largest at the end of your day. As such, footwear should be fitted and your feet measured in the evening.
• Next, footwear should be snug; not overly tight or too roomy.
• Lastly, ensure the tongue does more than separate your foot from laces. The tongue should be thick and provide a ‘snug’ sensation.

As previously mentioned, comfort is only part of a solution, but it is a big part. We are all made different in one form or another, and our feet are not dissimilar in this regard. Always choose footwear which is a better fit for you and not for someone else. When wearing your shoes, you should experience a comfortable, regular day.

In short, if you experience increased discomfort when trying on new footwear, then it is not the right one for you. Any slight discomfort or tightness that you might feel during this process will most likely turn into a real nightmare when it comes to long-term wear.

We already touched upon some stability features, such as a solid footbed and a shank plate inside a design. In the next section, Style, we discuss the pros and cons of a high top vs. a low top design, but here, we will take a moment to explain about footwear stability and why that is important in preventing injuries of this type.

Whether you are wearing a high top or a low top design, one that is comfortable or not, or one that has a snug tongue or a foamy midsole, means very little if you are someone who is prone to twisting their leg as they walk. What helps in avoiding these incidents is a design which puts emphasis on stability.

Stability is required to keep your weight evenly distributed throughout the design and to make sure that you don't slip or skid at any given moment. Therefore, look for options which make you feel secure on your feet. Look for solid footbeds that aren't too soft or too padded - excess padding can easily lead to toppling over - and also for extra lockdown features, such as velcro straps, adjustable laces, or even velcro straps and laces.

For your convenience, we tanked the items on our list according to their stability characteristics. Some are better at making you feel more secure on your feet than others, and if this is what you're looking for the most, definitely sort the products by this criterion. Good luck!

In an article written by the Bone, Muscle, and Joint Team of Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Miniaci-Coxhead is stated as saying that she believes high tops could very well be good for those recovering from an already existing sprain and help those pre-disposed to ankle sprains. Furthermore, she states studies have shown that high tops decrease the likelihood of minimal inversion; but in excessive inversion, there is no real difference between high tops and low tops.

In other words, in minimal inversion situations, high tops can be used to minimize the chance of injury and can work as an assistive device to those already suffering from a sprain. Additionally, high tops are a good choice for those prone to injuries.

But there is another side to the same coin, as it were.

According to the Bone, Muscle and Joint Team of Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Miniaci-Coxhead also states that the best way to with ankle health is to strengthen their muscles in the long-term. The muscles (evertors) associated with preventing inversion injury can react later than normal when wearing high tops. This, in essence, can cause your ankles to become weaker. At the end of the day, low tops would be better-suited for strengthening over the long-term.

In short:

• High tops are best suited for those prone to ankle-related injuries and who are already suffering from a sprain.
• Low Tops are best suited to help strengthen the muscles associated with inversion prevention.

So next time you go shopping for footwear, keep these things in mind! If you are already suffering from an injury, opt for a high top to speed up the recovery. But if you feel like you need to work on your muscles to prevent injuries in the future, definitely go for a low top!