> However, my thought is that the correct shoes for most people probably align more often than we give credit.
Let me spell out very clearly why I do not think this is so:
1. As I alluded to before, a big axis when choosing shoes is whether you have a tendency to over-pronate, under-pronate, or neither. Shoes that correct over- or under-pronation have different properties. I don't think it takes a rocket scientist to understand why someone who underpronates wouldn't do well with shoes designed to correct overpronation. Assuming (dubiously, I guess) that these traits are all evenly distributed, and ignoring any gradation within these categories, already you only have a one-in-three chance of getting the right shoe.
2. Some people have wider feet than others; different shoes are appropriate depending on this.
3. There are other complications: for instance, I wear orthotic inserts, which further narrows the number of shoes I can wear. Anything with little space on top or with elaborate built-in arch support is out.
4. Anecdotally, every time I am recommended a similar style of shoe which represents only a small percentage of the inventory of the store. When I watched my wife be fit, they gave her a different style.
If you visit Web sites about long-distance running (for natural reasons most of the people who really care about their sneakers are runners) you can find a lot of information about what shoes are right for what people and I guess probably what models are currently available with certain properties. But then again, you could also, you know, skip all that, and visit a specialty store (i.e., not Foot Locker), and have them tell you. I personally also discovered that I had been buying shoes too small for me because my ideas about how a shoe "should" fit were not quite right.
I suppose for a certain definition of "most people" you may be right: most people don't walk or run that much and won't experience any discomfort no matter what shoe they wear. But for anyone putting a heavy load on their legs or experiencing discomfort I have no doubt whatsoever that a visit to a specialty store is worthwhile.
I think you won me over on this several posts ago. :) I should have made that clear. I do think I was somewhat misunderstood, but I fully concede I think I am wrong, as well.
I'm probably still more amenable to the argument that most people just don't wear shoes that fit. But, I think I would have a hard time quantifying that.
Let me spell out very clearly why I do not think this is so:
1. As I alluded to before, a big axis when choosing shoes is whether you have a tendency to over-pronate, under-pronate, or neither. Shoes that correct over- or under-pronation have different properties. I don't think it takes a rocket scientist to understand why someone who underpronates wouldn't do well with shoes designed to correct overpronation. Assuming (dubiously, I guess) that these traits are all evenly distributed, and ignoring any gradation within these categories, already you only have a one-in-three chance of getting the right shoe.
2. Some people have wider feet than others; different shoes are appropriate depending on this.
3. There are other complications: for instance, I wear orthotic inserts, which further narrows the number of shoes I can wear. Anything with little space on top or with elaborate built-in arch support is out.
4. Anecdotally, every time I am recommended a similar style of shoe which represents only a small percentage of the inventory of the store. When I watched my wife be fit, they gave her a different style.
If you visit Web sites about long-distance running (for natural reasons most of the people who really care about their sneakers are runners) you can find a lot of information about what shoes are right for what people and I guess probably what models are currently available with certain properties. But then again, you could also, you know, skip all that, and visit a specialty store (i.e., not Foot Locker), and have them tell you. I personally also discovered that I had been buying shoes too small for me because my ideas about how a shoe "should" fit were not quite right.
I suppose for a certain definition of "most people" you may be right: most people don't walk or run that much and won't experience any discomfort no matter what shoe they wear. But for anyone putting a heavy load on their legs or experiencing discomfort I have no doubt whatsoever that a visit to a specialty store is worthwhile.