How to Design Comfortable Shoes
Designing a comfortable shoe doesn't have to mean straying from fashion. The activity the shoe is intended for should be kept in mind during the designing process, in addition to the anatomy of the foot. If the shoe doesn't properly support the foot, is not designed with the natural form in mind or is not designed for the activity the shoe is to be used for, it can lead to discomfort and potential injury for the wearer.
Step 1: Take the anatomy of the foot into consideration.
You may want to study a few pictures of the foot by going to a medical supply store or looking in a medical dictionary. The feet absorb all of our body's pressure and keep us going, so it is extremely important that shoes are designed with them in mind. When walking, weight is first pressed onto the heel and then moved toward the ball of the foot-and finally the toes. Since some activities, like running and jumping, can place tremendous pressure on the feet, it is important to cushion the shoe-especially in the heel and ball of the foot.
Step 2: Consider the activity your shoe is designed for.
Those lifting weights or working around heavy machinery will need shoes with steel toes in case of accidents. Runners will need supportive shoes that are well ventilated and help absorb the shock of running on the foot. High heels and dress shoes should be comfortable and supportive, yet stylish so that they can be worn on evenings out or to the office.
Step 3: Make sure there is room in the box of the shoe for the toes.
When designing, you should keep in mind that the toes and the ball of the foot are not flexible, so shoes that come to a point without much room for the feet can cause blisters, bunions and hammer toes. A shoe can be both stylish and comfortable, but there needs to be adequate room for the toes to sit in the shoe naturally.
Step 4: Design your shoe so there is enough room for the toes in the vertical direction.
While pointy shoes and other such footwear can cause problems, shoes that don't have enough "up and down" space can cause blistering, pain and calluses, corns and pressure on the joints in the toes. This can be easily prevented by providing enough room so the toes are not "squished".
Step 5: Use insoles that work.
If you want to make the shoe extra-comfortable, you can place gel insoles in the lining of the shoe so that the wearer constantly feels a little bit more comfortable. No matter what you do, all shoes need to provide some support for the foot. While some people will need custom orthotics to correct foot problems, most people will need a bit of support in the arch of the foot as well as cushion on the balls of the feet and heel. This will help keep the foot in a natural position throughout daily activities.
Designing comfortable shoes is all about the anatomy of the foot and taking into account what activity the wearer will use them for. Simply taking those two things into account can dramatically improve the comfort of shoes and reduce injury.
