There is such a thing as the ideal shoe.
If you have diabetes, you need to make sure you have the most comfortable and supportive footwear possible to eliminate one of the most common causes of injury: the ill-fitting shoe. The following checklist can help you to work out what shoe is best for you.

1. Is the heel of your shoe less than 2.5cm (1 inch)?
   As the height of your heel increases, the pressure under the ball of your foot increases.
2. Does your shoe have laces, buckles or elastic to hold it onto your foot?
   If you wear slip-on shoes with no restraining mechanism, your toes must curl up to hold the shoes on. This can cause the tops of your toes to rub on your shoes leading to corns and callouses. Secondly, the muscles in your feet do not function as they should to help you walk. Instead, they are being used less efficiently to hold your shoes on.
3. Do you have 1cm (approximately thumb-nail length) of space between your longest toe and the end of your shoe when standing?
   This is the best guide for the length of the shoe, as different manufacturers create different shoes which are different sizes. Your toes should not touch the end of the shoe as this is likely to cause injury to the toes and place pressure upon the toenails.
4. Do your shoes have a well-padded sole?
   Shoes should have a supportive but cushioned sole to absorb shock and reduce pressure under the feet. Padded footwear, socks and some innersoles can significantly reduce the pressure under the feet.
5. Are your shoes made from a material which breathes?
   A warm moist environment can harbour organisms such as those that cause tinea.
   Moist skin is softer and more prone to injury. Try to wear hosiery which will remove moisture from your skin and allow your skin to breathe.
6. Do your shoes protect your feet from injury?
   The main function of footwear is protection from the environment. Ensure your shoes are able to prevent entry of foreign objects which can injure the foot. If you have diabetes, a closed toe is essential to prevent injury to the foot. Make sure your shoes do not cause injury to your feet.
7. Are your shoes the same shape as your feet?
   Many shoes have pointed toes and cause friction over the tops of toes which can lead to corns, callouses and ulceration.

If you can see the outline of your toes imprinted in your shoes, then the shoe is probably the wrong shape for your foot.
If you have impaired sensation, always check inside your shoes before putting them on. Small objects such as stones and torn linings can irritate your feet without you realising until it is too late. Also, never go barefoot as the risk of injury to the feet is increased.

Remember:

• Altered sensations may lead to numbness in the feet. Cuts, blisters, ingrown toenails and corns may go unnoticed.
• Reduced blood supply (poor circulation) can slow down the healing process.
• PROTECT your feet from injury.
• INSPECT your feet every day.
• Have a REGULAR foot assessment.