Finding Footwear That Supports You
A Little about us:
Sole to soul footwear, with several stores across Calgary offers a wide selection of styles specially designed for quality, comfort and support. Thanks to our knowledgeable staff we can off exemplary customer service, that allows us to standout from all other shoes stores.
The company was started in 1999 when our founder, Abdul Chybli, saw an opportunity to service diabetic patients in local hospitals. Quickly the first location would be opened in Calgary's oldest mall North Hill Centre allowing Sole to Soul to reach more patients.
Today, Sole to Soul carries an inventory, selected from more than thirty different brands, of men's, women's and children styles. Further, Sole to Soul also supplies the highest quality selection of dress, athletic, winter, hiking, therapeutic, and specialty footwear.
What sets Sole to Soul apart is our drive to be inclusive. With specialty sizes and widths in stock, we are able to offer our customs the best footwear choices.
We know our customers experience a wide range of foot health issues from pain to neuropathy and we strive to understand them and suggest intelligent footwear that is comfortable, healthy, and stylish.
Measuring your feet at home:
A person's foot size is continuously changing throughout life. Feet lengthen, shorten, expand and contract with motion, age, pregnancy, and weight. It is important you have your feet measured periodically in order to insure you have proper footwear that support your needs.
Length:
It is normal for people to have two different length feet. Because of this, it is very important that you measure both feet and pick your size according to the larger foot. The best device to measure your foot is a Brannock device as it is capable of measuring length, width, and arch length. If you do not have access to a Brannock device you can use our Home Measuring Tool to find your size at home.
When you receive you your footwear and try them on you should be looking for a minimum of 5mm of space in the shoe beyond the longest toe on your largest foot. Remember to stand while check length as the foot will grow longer when under pressure.
Unfortuenlty, shoe sizes are not standardized and each models dimensions are proprietary to the manufacturer.
Width:
Width is vital to proper fitting footwear. If you have never had your foot width measured we suggest you use a Brannock device or our Home Measuring Tool to find the proper footwear width.
It is important to buy footwear that accommodates your foot properly or you may develop toe deformities such as:
- Bunions: an enlargement of bone or tissue around the joint at the base of the big toe.
- Corn: a callus that develops when tight shoes put constant pressure on the skin.
- Hammer Toe: when the toe starts to curl up instead of lying flat.
- Cross Over Toe: crossover toe forms when the toes are crimped in a toe box that is too small, and the constant pressure causes the second or third toe to move over the toe next to it
Things to Consider when Selecting Footwear:
When picking the right footwear it is important to consider more than just looks. Each pair of footwear is made with a combination of different technologies, finding the right combination for you is paramount.
Velcro, Lace or Slip On:
It is important that your footwear fits snugly, the foot is held back, and movement of the foot is supported. When picking your footwear consider what it will be used for and choose the proper adjustment method.
If your footwear will be used for lounging or small activities slip-on may be appropriate. If your footwear will be used for more strenuous activity such as running, walking, or athletics we highly suggest you pick lace. Velcro is also a great option for people with limited hand mobility or who require the ease of adjustment.
Rocker Soles:
Footwear with a rocker sole will usually have a thicker rounder sole than regular footwear. This insures that the wearer doesn't have a flat surface along the length of the foot. There are two main types of rocker soles: forefoot rockers, and full rockers, each with different biomechanical goals.
Forefoot Rocker:
A forefoot rocker features a stiff shank through the midsole to prevent the shoe from bending. This require a curve at the toes so the foot can roll forwards in a normal walking gait. Shoes with a forefoot rocker protect the toes from flexing back and protect the ball of the foot from pressure. Any pain in the front end of the foot might benefit from a stiffer shoe with a forefoot rocker.
Full Rocker:
A full rocker features a curve at both the back end and front end of the footwear. This relieves pressure on designated areas of the foot and ankle.
During the normal rolling motion of walking the ankle and toes are required to flex, a full rocker assumes some of that flexion so that the joint in the toes and ankle are protect. In addition, full rockers build strength in the legs reducing fatigue after a long day standing on hard surfaces.
Ankle Cut:
Footwear that comes up over the ankle such as hikers or boots will provide greater lateral ankle support. This is vital in sports such as basketball where there are rapid short lateral movements or when walking or hiking on uneven terrain. For standard uses low cut footwear should suffice unless you are prone to ankle related problems.
Breathability:
With over 250,000 sweat glands on the feet and a capacity to absorb minerals from the earth while walking, the human foot is both moist and sensitive. Many customers feel hot in a shoe lined with a synthetic material and prefer an all-natural leather or fabric upper that will allow air circulation around the foot to prevent the growth of fungus or bacteria.
Waterproof styles:
Many active outdoor styles have a layer of Gore-Tex or a similar membrane that prevents water from coming in but allows moisture to escape through the small pores.
For products to be labeled 'waterproof' they must be at least seam sealed.
Leather footwear can be waterproofed using products that have a mix of oils and waxes. A silicon spray creates an invisible plastic shield around the footwear to make it more water resistant and easier to clean.
Removable Insoles:
Footwear at Sole to Soul is specially selected so that most styles have a removable insole.
This allows customers to choose from having an orthotic custom made for them by a professional orthotist, purchasing a generic insole with arch support or just opting for a cushioned replacement for worn out insoles that came with the shoes.
Therapeutic Styles:
A therapeutic shoe has roomier interior space to accommodate orthotics or any malformations of the foot. Therapeutic shoes also must meet certain criteria involving fabrics, closure, size, and width availability. Finally since foot therapy often require external or internal shoe medications, structural strength is a factor.
Modifications to Shoes:
Sole to Soul offers the service of stretching footwear across the ball of the foot, at the instep, or on a particular spot.
The fit of a shoe can also be adjusted with a heel grip, tongue pad or cork half insole.
Structural modifications are sent to the company technician. Customers often present a prescription from a podiatrist for the modification. These modifications include:
- Bubble patches
- Sole splits or excavations
- Reinforcements
- Flares
- Buttress
- Rocker soles
- Lifts to accommodate leg length difference