After I finished shopping recently, an employee wheeled my purchases out. We chatted as the teen loaded my groceries into my car. I glanced down and noticed her footwear. She was wearing a sharp pair of Classic Tall UGG boots. She thanked me for the compliment. She added that, being on her feet several hours at work every day, she needed to wear comfortable footwear. When the girl finished and walked away, I noticed she was walking on the inner sides of the UGG boots. Not a good sign. I surmised the boot wasn’t providing enough support. Read on to find out how to wear UGG boots so you don’t develop health problems.
The Problem With How UGG Classic Boots Are Constructed
According to the UGG boots website, their Classic boots in particular, “…feature a soft foam insole covered with genuine sheepskin and have a molded EVA light and flexible outsole designed to give you comfort in every step.” That’s why UGG boots feel so soft and heavenly on your feet. But… after a few hours of wearing UGG boots, your feet can feel tired and achy. That’s because there is no support in the arch area, according to Edward Chairman, a Philadelphia podiatrist. Because there’s no foot support, UGG boots “flattens the arch and puts stress on the foot.” If you wear them for too long, you risk developing flat feet, ankle problems, and hip problems.
Dr. Rock Positano, Director of the Non-Surgical Foot and Ankle Service for the Hospital for Special Surgery, and Dr. Jim Christina, a podiatrist and the Director of Scientific Affairs for the American Podiatric Medical Association agree. The stress on your feet that wearing UGG boots causes can lead to other health problems such as bunions, arthritis, hammertoes, tendonitis, and more.
How to Wear UGG Boots So You Don’t Develop Health Problems
The good news is, you don’t have to toss your UGG boots. There are two things you can do to wear them so they don’t cause problems with your feet (and more):
1. Wear Your UGG Boots For Only A Few Hours At A Time
Just like high heels aren’t designed to be worn for long periods of time, or while doing a strenuous activity, UGG boots shouldn’t be worn for extended periods of time either. To protect your feet, you should only wear them for short periods of casual walking.
2. Place Supportive Insoles In Your UGG Boots
The second thing you can do so you can wear your UGG boots safely is, to buy and use insoles. Choose shoe inserts that will support your arches and align your feet. You can get custom-made foot orthotics. Or, just purchase inexpensive pairs of insoles at a local pharmacy.
Resources
http://www.uggaustralia.com/
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=7302497&page=1
http://www.podiatry-arena.com/podiatry-forum/showthread.php?t=21844
http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/beauty/experts-debate-dangers-of-wearing-popular-sheepskin-boots-1164424/
