Ballet flats are bad for the feet, say podiatrists

ballet-flats-are-bad-for-th.jpgLooks like podiatrists have cottoned on to a fact we shoe lovers all knew already: that flat shoes aren't necessarily more comfortable than heels. That doesn't mean they can't be very, very cute, of course: the ballet flats pictured above, from French Sole, for instance, look every bit as appealing to me as some stilettos, but anyone who's walked a mile in totally flat shoes will be able to tell you that they have no arch support, and can also hurt the ball and heel of the foot thanks to the thin soles and close proximity to the pavement.

Now The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists are claiming that flat shoes can actually be as bad for the feet as high heels, with spokesman Mike O'Neil commenting that, "When pumps are worn for long periods the feet slide forward causing cramping of the small toes."

What do you think? Do you find flats more or less comfortable than high heels?

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Ballet flats are bad for the feet, say podiatrists - Comments

  • Becky

    FINALLY!!

    I thought i was the only one, when flats were first "in" i bought a pair i loved (rocket dogs! SWOON) and i found them soooo un comfotable becasue i was used to mid heels!

    Thought i was crazy! Lol!



    I agree about feeling dumping and heavy footed in flats too! Tho i do think theyre good for long walks round the shops!!

    Wedges are great! (bring on the summer!)

    and Kitten heels are a good compramise too :)



    xXx

  • Flats are horrible for my high arches. I try to buy 2.5 to 3 inch heels. I can't do any higher than that since I have short feet.

  • lola

    Oh, flats are the worst on my feet. A stable, thick medium height heel is the most comfortable.

  • z

    I have flat feet so I have to wear orthotics when I wear flat shoes. Most of the time I wear some stompy boots anyway so this works fine; high heels I save for special occasions, but flat shoes with no arch support at all are paaainful.



    Of course, that's not to say I didn't buy many different colors of Converse and its imitators back in high school and wear them to death.

  • Maria Jose

    I prefer to wear a medium heel rather than a flat shoe, because flats make me feel tired and dumpy too. Very high heels also wear my feet out pretty quickly, especially since I have wide feet.

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