OUR shoes can put us at risk of some pretty painful foot problems, a podiatrist has warned.
But some footwear is significantly worse for us than others.
Paul, who goes by @paulthepodiatrist on TikTok, said the most important things to look out for are support, toe space and heel stability.
With that in mind, here he outlines three pairs he would never wear – and three to try instead.
1. Flip flops
First up is flip flops.
They might be handy to slip on when it's hot, but they pose several dangers, according to British podiatrist Paul, who is based at My FootDr in Singapore.
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He said: "When you put your foot through the loops, you have to grip and that can cause claw toeing.
"Also, when you're walking down the street, it's very easy to trip and fall when you're wearing them.
"They don't offer your feet any support."
Claw toe, similar to hammer toe, is a foot deformity often caused by wearing shoes that squeeze your toes.
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Usually, your toes are bent upward or downward, sometimes curling under, which can be incredibly painful.
Corns and calluses can form due to the pressure.
2. Stilettos
"The second pair of shoes I wouldn't wear are stilettos," Paul said.
"I don't want to hate on all heels because a one-and-a-half inch heel is okay for most people.
"But stilettos have such a thin base. My colleague actually fell recently and broke her foot.
"There's such a high risk of injury, is it worth it, even to look nice?"
3. Skechers
Paul's third choice is a brand that advertises itself as being big on "comfort and technology".
But there are three key reasons he's not a fan of Skechers.
"The first is that the slip-on variety are made tighter to hold on to your feet so can squeeze your toes and cause problems like neuromas," he said.
"The second is that they are so soft that your foot has to do more work.
"They may feel good but then later on through the day, then actually your foot is more tired.
"And the final thing is that the shoes just don't last long. They wear out so quickly.
"They may seem like a great deal but you're replacing your shoes every one to two months and I just don't think that's very good."
After sharing his insight on what not to wear, Paul was inundated with messages asking which shoes are good for your feet.
He outlined three that he uses every single week.
1. Bared smart shoe
For meeting doctors and going to weddings, Paul loves the smart-looking Curium shoes from the brand Bared.
His favourite thing about it is that they have removable insoles, but he's also a fan of the amount of space they provide his tootsies.
"They also have very firm heel counters, which I love, and they have a bit of a toe drop so the heel is raised and then it drops off towards the toe," he added.
"That just takes the stress off the calf, off the Achilles, and prevents a lot of foot issues."
2. Asics Kayano
For day-to-day, Paul goes for Asics Kayanos.
They are designed as long-distance running shoes, but he wears them to work.
"I do most of my walking in these trainers," he said.
"The great thing about these shoes is they have got a very firm heel counter which locks the ankle in place.
"Then through the arch area, through the mid-foot, they have a lot of support as I have slightly flat feet."
Paul also loves the fact they lace up, and that they are pretty broad on the toes so avoids squeezing.
"I'd use this for longer walks, the gym, going for runs and things like that," he added.
3. Nike Air Force 1
"The final shoes for me are the Nike Air Force 1s," Paul said.
"These are great shoes for going to the mall, going for dinner, meeting my friends and things like that.
"They're best for when I do between 2,000 and 5,000 steps.
"The great thing is they are extra wide so they doesn't squash my feet.
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"They're lace-ups again, and actually, the ankle stability comes up high above the ankle so they holds the foot in place nicely.
"These are great shoes and a fantastic addition to the wardrobe."
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