Why are shoes that truly fit the foundation of your foot health?
At Nallu, we strive to develop increasingly perfect barefoot footwear that helps people reconnect with the ground naturally. We are guided by our experience – over many years in the footwear industry, we have encountered a wide range of foot deformities that sooner or later begin to reflect on the overall condition of the body. Join us in looking at why it is so important to choose footwear that truly fits you.
Common mistakes when choosing new footwear
Do you choose shoes based only on their appearance, current fashion trends, or declared usage options? If so, you may be unwittingly gambling with the proper health of your feet. Poorly fitting footwear can be a trigger for a number of ailments and deformities that can affect not only your feet but your entire musculoskeletal system.
Deformities caused by poor footwear
Human feet are a complex system of bones, muscles, and ligaments designed to carry us for a lifetime. However, unsuitable footwear can disrupt their natural function and lead to various deformities:
- Bunions (hallux valgus): One of the most common deformities, where the big toe turns toward the other toes, usually caused by wearing shoes that are too narrow or high heels.
- Hammer toes: The toes curl downward at the joints, a common consequence of being compressed in a narrow toe box.
- Flat feet: A condition where the arch of the foot collapses, which can cause a chain reaction of pain in the feet, knees, hips, and back.
- Heel spur: A growth on the heel bone causing severe pain, often due to improper distribution of pressure on the foot.
Health problems associated with poor footwear
People are often surprised that a whole range of their health problems is caused by inappropriately chosen footwear. Long-term wearing of bad shoes can lead to:
- Pain in the feet, ankles, knees, hips, and back: Overloading joints and muscles leads to chronic inflammation and pain.
- Balance and stability problems: Disruption of natural support increases the risk of falls and injuries.
- Skin problems: Tight shoes cause pressure sores, blisters, calluses, and susceptibility to fungal infections.
- Worsening of existing conditions: Poor footwear compounds problems associated with osteoarthritis, diabetes, or neuropathy.
Barefoot footwear as a helper, not a panacea
Although barefoot footwear mimics walking barefoot and helps resolve many of the mentioned problems, it is necessary to listen to your body. In advanced stages of deformity, the condition may be serious and require physiotherapy or surgical intervention. But what can barefoot footwear realistically help with?
- Strengthening of foot muscles and arches: It allows for natural movement and the engagement of all muscle chains in the sole.
- Improvement of proprioception: Direct contact with the surface improves body position awareness and stability.
- Prevention of deformities: The anatomical toe box provides enough space for the toes to spread out in a fan shape.
- Pain relief: It ensures natural pressure distribution with every step.
Discover custom-made Nallu shoes
Our philosophy at Nallu: Custom manufacturing for every foot
The shape of our Nallu footwear is based on tracings and photographs of thousands of feet. Even so, we know that mass-produced ready-to-wear footwear fits approximately 70% of the European population. We don't try to force every foot into a universal template – if our standard template doesn't fit you, we are happy to produce footwear exactly to your measurements. We believe that your feet deserve perfect comfort without compromise.
"Choosing the right footwear is an investment in your health. Do not underestimate the importance of comfortable and well-fitting shoes that provide sufficient support and space for your feet."
Expert sources of information:
• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)
• Mayo Clinic
• American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA)
• National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• Journal of Foot and Ankle Research / Journal of Physical Therapy Science