In this guide, we have encountered several different shoe types. Some of them are for more casual occasions, such as sneakers, or sandals for beach and summer strolls, but others are more formal in design, such as heels.

All of these have their pros and cons – various things to consider when shopping. Here, we will outline what you need to know about each type.

Sneakers
You might feel like you are well acquainted with sneakers. After all, you probably wear them every day, right? The trusty sneaker is there when you need to run to the grocery store when you have to spend an entire day sightseeing in a foreign country; it keeps you company at the gym, in the park, and really anywhere else you can imagine.

There is only one situation where sneakers are not appropriate, and that is for formal occasions. We would agree if we are talking about a black tie event. However, with the rise in dress sneakers, we have to say that there is nothing more fashion-forward than a nice, tailored suit and a pair of fancy leather sneakers at a semi-formal gathering. Sharp and cool.

When you are looking for the right sneaker for yourself, think about the season. Will you be wearing them mostly in the summer? If that’s the case we advise investing in a pair of canvas sneakers (such as Converse), as canvas is a lightweight, breathable material, and it will help stave off the heat.

If, on the other hand, you are looking for a sneaker to wear all year long, then leather options would be your best bet. Of course, natural leather is far more comfortable and durable than synthetic, but it is also more expensive, so keep that in mind.

Another thing is the type of closure you would prefer. Lace-up sneakers are great if you are performing some type of activity, such as running or cycling or joining your kids on the jungle gym. They keep your foot secure in the shoe and prevent any instability.

However, if you are more of a laid-back type of person, and if you don’t want to bother with complex closures than simple slip-on designs are perfect for you.

Boots
Aside from being fashionable – and a great way to express your love for sugar skulls – boots top the list of the most practical type of footwear. They are there to protect your feet from the elements, keeping them dry in wet conditions, warm in the winter, and preventing any slipping or skidding on unfavorable terrain.

Boots come in various shapes and sizes, with the most common distinction being between different boot heights. We have ankle boots – or booties – then mid-calf boots, knee-high boots, and even those that go over the knee.

While most people wear boots for their functionality, especially those who work and live in areas with a lot of rain or snowfall, this type of footwear has also become a fashion statement. You can now find anything from a comfortable, suede ankle boot for the fall, over a lace-up military style boot for a badass look, to an over-the-knee boot with a stiletto heel for a special dose of vamp.

What type of boot is the most suitable for you depends entirely on your personal aesthetic, and what you expect from it. If you want a good boot for snowy days, then go for rubber soles with deep grooves and waterproof uppers. If you want something more stylish, then look for slimmer heels, pointy toes, and maybe even some interest in the form of chains, charms or buckles.

When it comes to boots, nothing should stop you from buying exactly the kind of design that you want to wear!

Heels
Heels have become a synonym for elegance, for flirtiness and celebrations, whether formal or more casual ones. The elevated heels lengthen our figure and make us visually slimmer, not to mention that they give us confidence like no other footwear type does.

However, it is true that heels are not the most comfortable of shoes. The reason for this is that in a high heeled design, your foot is in an unnatural position. The higher the heel is – rather, the bigger the height difference between your heel and the ball of your foot is – the more painful it will be. All of your weight transfers forward and adds pressure to the front of your foot, which is why your toes may sometime turn numb.

There are some features which you can look for in order to avoid the issues which come with wearing high heels.

Of course, it goes without saying that lower heels are more comfortable. Look for those which are two inches in height, such as kitten heels, or maybe three inches. Anything up to four inches is considered a comfortable heel height.

Also go for heels which are chunky, blocky in shape, anything that will offer you more support and distribute your weight evenly inside the shoe, such as wedge heels. Straps across the instep or around the ankle are also a great way to secure your foot inside the design.

Lastly, it would be best if the footbed of the heel had some type of cushioning in it. Extra padding absorbs impact as you walk, and reduces foot fatigue, allowing you to spend more time in your new pair of heels.

Sandals
For braving the summer heatwaves, there is no better option than the sandal. Whether heeled or flat, open-toed or closed toed, your feet will be grateful for the breath of fresh air. Not only that but by keeping your feet dry and sweat-free, sandals also reduce the risk of infections. Bacteria and fungi love to grow in hot, damp environments, and having most of your foot exposed prevents itchiness and bad odors that come with these infections.

However, make sure to know your environment, as having exposed toes in an area which is hazardous, such as hiking trails, can be dangerous. Leave the open-toed sandals at the beach and clean streets, and take the closed toe ones for when you are going on a mountain adventure.

We all know why comfort is so important. Besides relieving you of pain, if you wear footwear that is right for your foot and that has a good amount of cushioning, you will not suffer from many common foot problems. You might even cure your lower back and knee pain, who knows! All of the options on our list are meant to show off your style while also comforting your achy feet. That means that every piece of footwear on here comes with added:

Comfort: High rebound foam and a breathable insole. Your every step will be cushioned, and you’ll be able to take your shoes off anywhere you go, no matter how long you’ve worn them!

Support: Heel and foot bear, great for stability and balance! Never worry about falling somewhere or tripping over and making a fool of yourself.

Flex: Highly flexible soles lower the amount of force your feet get on impact with the ground, and also ensure your foot retains its natural shape while you walk!

Finally, a good pair of footwear will have all the characteristics needed to ensure you can wear them to a great variety of places and events. This list includes different supportive sandals, made with different types of activities in mind, ranging from athletic to dress too casual. If you work in a casual environment, you might even be able to wear some of these at your place of employment.

When making our choice for the best ten items currently available for purchase, we made sure to pick models which would work in multiple environments. Thus, you will find that the majority of sandals on this list work in athletic environments, or can be worn to the beach. Nonetheless, if you prefer to wear them during hot city summer days, you will find that they work just as well as they would in nature. No matter the terrain or weather, the products listed in this article will serve you well and for plenty of time.

High-quality footwear is crucial in providing you with everything you need from your shoes. Not only do you want them to look good, but they also need to fit you perfectly to ensure comfort and bear throughout the day. Add breathability to your list of requirements, and you will easily come to the conclusion that you need a pair of sandals made with health benefits in mind.

Most summer footwear will have completely flat, rubber or foam soles which may cause you pain or discomfort. When shopping for footwear, you need to look for the features that will work for your feet. This depends heavily on the type of foot you have. Size is just one aspect, and it’s important that you also consider the width of your forefoot, the height of your heel, the stability of your ankles, as well as your gait cycle. Even more, it’s possible that you suffer from foot-related issues such as bunions, plantar fasciitis, heel spurs or that your pronation is not neutral but rather sees you bearing your weight on the inside or outside of your feet. The right type of shoes will not only feel good while wearing them, but they will also prevent the further development of such issues.

When shopping for your next pair of sandals, there are several points where you need to look for prop up features:

Heel Support – when they walk, most people will land on their heel first. This means that this bone will take a lot of shock with every step, and if you do sports this amount of shock will increase considerably. If, by any chance your feet do not land in the most optimal position (if your feet tend to roll inwards or outwards), then the majority of this shock will travel up the leg to your knees, hips, and back. If you’ve ever experienced lower back pain after a few hours of walking, chances are that your shoes were not supportive enough in the heel. When shopping for sandals, look for a deep heel cup that will help align your body. Another thing you will need is cushioning that will absorb some of the excess shock, ensuring that your legs don’t get too sore or tired after a long day.

Midfoot Support – the way to ensure the health of your feet is not just about the soles of your shoes. One of the biggest downsides of sandals and flip flops is that they often don’t properly fit on the upper, making you work overtime just to keep them on. The best summer sandals will have an upper that will have several points of contact with your foot – both in the forefoot as well as in the rearfoot area. Look for straps that can be adjusted to give you a snug fit that you can comfortably walk around in. This is especially important if you plan on wearing your sandals for hiking trips.

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.