Comfort, easy fit, and health shoes
Terms like comfort-fit, healthy and easy-fit actually have no practical meaning when it comes to defining a shoe's style and build, however they are terms that some manufacturers and retailers like to use. What these terms really signify is that any shoe going under that sort of classification is designed for function and comfort rather than for fashion or style.
This means that most healthy or comfort fitting shoes will have low heels, a good manufacturing standard, and that they will be made from high quality materials that are durable, long lasting and suited to footwear.
What to look for
Most "comfort fit" shoes come with a choice of width as well as "length" size fittings, something rarely found in high street fashion shoes. This extra measurement option is of huge importance as it is not just the length of people's feet that vary in size, but also the width.
Many foot problems are the result of a shoe failing to work properly because, even though it is the right size (in terms of length), the fit is too tight or too loose across the width of the foot. This can result in - the foot slipping inside the shoe, a rubbing or abrasive action taking place, or the foot being badly positioned in relation to structural parts of the shoe like the arch support.
In order to obtain the correct shoe size, both in terms of length and width, it is firstly necessary to accurately measure the feet (see Measuring feet and size charts) and then to use a sizing chart, details of which can be found at the bottom of this Shoe size chart page page.
The materials from which a good comfort or easy fit shoe are made are also paramount to the shoe's performance. Natural leather is one option, but there are many good manmade fabrics that have even better wear-ability properties. Many of these materials are waterproof, they allow the feet to breathe, and they will have certain areas of the shoe designed for ventilation and flexing.
Good healthy shoes will be made from many different interconnected pieces of fabric (see anatomy of a shoe), each of which fulfils its own purpose. Some of these sections are designed to be flexible whilst others are intended to be firm and rigid. This means that the shoe's design works in harmony with the natural way in which a healthy foot would naturally bend, twist and orientate itself.
The insoles of this type of shoe will also be of a superior quality to those found in a typical high street fashion shoe. Furthermore, most comfort fit shoes will have replaceable and interchangeable insoles. When this is the case an old, worn, or odorous insoles can be replaced, thereby extending the life of an otherwise perfectly acceptable shoe.
The majority of comfort fit style shoes will have plenty of internal padding, a thick and broad tongue and fastenings that can be easily and accurately adjusted for a good fit. This means that Velcro (hook and loop) fasteners, with their instantly adjustable fittings, are often found on this kind of shoe.
Finally, the appearance of a healthy comfort or easy fit shoe need not be something to be ashamed of. Many fashionable shoes have flat soles and a chunky or full looking appearance. Furthermore, Velcro style fastenings are increasing in popularity, even on sports and walking shoes, and shoes manufactured from clearly distinguishable multi sectioned components are more popular than ever. This means that, given current footwear trends, most healthy shoes are hard to distinguish from many fashion and sports shoes.
When it comes to price, a good quality comfort shoe will cost more than a typical budget high street shoe. However, it will last considerably longer, it will have repairable and replaceable components like a sole and insole, and it will offer superior levels of comfort and foot health. This means that ultimately, based on life expectancy and usage levels, it will still be going long after its cheaper high street counterpart has been consigned to the refuse bin.
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