The Best Holiday Footwear
December is here and I’ve started to think about what shoes I’ll be taking with me on my holiday over Christmas.
If you’re like me, then you know fitting everything into your one bag can be tricky, so packing carefully and thoughtfully is essential!
I thought I’d share some tips and things to think about when packing footwear for your next well-deserved holiday!
Everyone deserves a well earned holiday
Get prepared before you depart
What’s the weather going to be?
I assume most of you take the weather into account when picking holiday destinations, and this will certainly determine what shoes you need to take with you.
I always like to check what the average temperature will be around that time of year, whether rainfall will be expected and whether it’s snow season.
What will you be doing on your holiday?
Again, a bit of a no-brainer as this will determine what footwear you will need. I’m a big planner when it comes to holidaying and have the main things I want to do sorted before I leave, so this means I know what I need to pack.
But if you’re a bit ad-hoc and prefer to go with the flow more, it’s still a good idea to do some research on the types of things you may want to do.
Whether you plan on spending most of your time lying on a beach, walking cobbled streets and admiring architecture, or climbing a mountain peak, your footwear choices are all equally important.
You need to think about the distances you’ll be walking, what sort of surfaces you’ll be on, and again, what kind of weather you’ll be in.
Get prepared early!
Now, I don’t mean pack your bag as soon as you book the plane flights, but once you know you’re going, start thinking about your footwear.
You may need to buy some new shoes to take with you, and you don’t want to be rushing around trying to find something and end up settling for something that isn’t quite right.
Getting prepared early also means you have time to get used to any new shoes and can sort out any problems before you leave, rather than traipsing around Europe with blisters on your feet.
Don’t forget socks!
Socks are just as important as footwear when travelling, and the same rules as above apply.
Think about the weather and the things you’ll be doing as this will determine what kind of socks you need.
Whether you need thermal socks for snow days, hiking socks to work with your hiking boots, or moisture-wicking socks for steamy, balmy days, it pays to prepare early.
Also, make sure you take plenty of pairs with you.
Socks don’t take up a huge amount of room, and making sure you’re wearing a clean pair every day will help to keep your skin in top condition.
Have a Podiatry review
There are lots of things your podiatrist can help you with when preparing for a big holiday!
First of all, get any problems seen to, no matter how big or small. When on holiday, your activity levels tend to vary.
For most of us, we have an increase in long days walking around on hard surfaces.
You don’t want to head overseas with a small niggle that gets worse as your holiday goes on.
Your podiatrist can help by recommending any particular footwear, strengthening exercises or orthoses/offloading strategies that may be needed.
Speaking of orthoses, if you do wear these, have them reviewed before you go away to make sure they’re in the best condition they can be.
Our podiatrists can also help you if you have purchased a new pair of shoes and are having trouble with them.
The other thing that can happen with increased walking while travelling is the build-up of callus and the development of corns.
It’s always a good idea to see your podiatrist before going away so they can give your feet a good tidy up and have you feeling your best.
My Staples for Traveling
Depending on what sort of holiday I’m doing will determine what shoes I need, but there are a few staples I always travel with.
Sneakers
No matter where I’m going, I always carry a pair of sneakers with me.
I always try and take a pair that I’ve worn for a short period of time so I know that my feet are used to them and they don’t give me problems, but not ones that are so old they’re starting to wear in certain places.
I find my sneakers tend to be my go-to's for days when I know I’m doing large amounts of walking on harder surfaces.
There are all sorts of sneakers on the market, so I won’t recommend any brands, as long as they’re comfortable, well-fitting and suit your needs, then they’re a winner!
Our podiatrists can help guide you on the type of sneaker best suited for your foot.
Casual Shoes
I always take a good pair of casual walking shoes with me when travelling.
And when I say a ‘good pair’, I mean something with laces/straps to hold the shoes onto my feet, has a proper cushioned sole and footbed, is versatile and can go with many different outfits (yes, podiatrists do think about fashion too!!), and something that fits my orthoses.
At Complete Podiatry, we stock a wide range of shoes including casual shoes, sandals and sneakers, perfect for taking away with you
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We have a great range of footwear in both our Blackwood and Aldgate Clinics
At the moment, I’m loving my ‘Vionic Leah’.
Thongs
As a podiatrist, thongs are not my number one shoe of choice, but they definitely come in handy when travelling.
I wouldn’t recommend thongs as the shoes you’ll be doing large amounts of walking in, but for lazing around the pool, for short distances to and from the beach, and for using when in public, shared wet spaces (bathrooms, pools, etc.) a pair of thongs are just the thing.
Here at Complete Podiatry, we stock the ‘Archie’s thongs’ which have a cushioned and contoured heel cup, inbuilt support through the arch (which comes in standard and high options), and adjustable straps to fit any foot size.
I recently got my first pair of Archies and I love them!
Others
Hiking Boots - if you’re going on a hiking holiday, or planning any long walks on rough terrain, a pair of trusted hiking boots are a must! You can read my blog of hiking footwear HERE for more information.
Insulated Boots- My next holiday is to Canada during the winter, so I’ve recently purchased a pair of insulated boots to keep my toes warm.
If you’re planning on travelling to a cold climate, I would suggest investing in some insulated boots, or at the least, a good pair of hiking boots, as these will keep your feet warm and dry and will ensure you come home with all your toes!
The other thing to consider in cool climates is layering your socks as one pair may not do the job.
Merino sock liners under thermal socks are a great way to add warmth while controlling moisture and not increasing bulk too much.
Make sure you try out your insulated boots with your sock system before going so you can iron out any kinks.
We are here to help
I hope this information helps you in preparing for your next holiday!
And if you are lucky enough to be heading somewhere over the Summer, I hope you have a wonderful time with no foot problems!
If you need any more information or are having any foot or leg problems, please reach out to us at Complete Podiatry!
We love helping to build amazing lives from the feet up!
Call us or Book your appointment now
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Complete Podiatry