The Magnificent Mile and Flat Feet Don't Mix

Back in my single days, my cousins and I would plan several trips a year. It was nothing for us to hop in a car and drive to Chicago for the weekend or fly off to Jamaica for 8 days of mind melting relaxation. Since the Magnificent Mile frequently invited us to visit, we did our best to accept her invitation as often as we could.

We would hit our regular spots The Water Tower, Crate & Barrel and Macy’s. After you do all that walking you’re totally exhausted, unless you’re in great shape. I remember the ladies decided we would head to Bloomingdale’s and call it quits. My feet were literally killing me. I even had on tennis shoes. I told the ladies, I felt like I was walking on knubs (I'm not even sure that's a word). Needless to say, I only made it to the lobby and found a seat. My flat feet were partly to blame for the pain. So here’s some helpful information for those of you in the “Flatfoot Club”.

Flat Feet (Pronated Feet)

Your foot doesn’t have a normal arch, which means your foot strikes on the outside of the heel and rolls excessively inward. This causes extra stress on your feet. According to research, approximately 65% of the population are flatfooted, either from obesity, arthritis, foot trauma or genetics.

If You Have Flat Feet:
-Stability is most important. Look for shoes that provide good arch support.
-Look for a shoe with a durable heel.
-A beveled heel and a durable carbon rubber outsole are best.
-Steer clear of lots of cushioning. It will only intensify instability and cause your feet to continue to roll inward. Look for firm midsole material like polyurethane that adds stability.


Andrea Pace, Publisher and CEO of Clear Path Publishing and author of 16 page tips ebooklet, Your Feet Make You Unique: Tips For Women Who Wear Size 10 and Up.