Believe it or not, foot care is extra important during the fall. Although warm booties seem more comfortable than flip flops, the changing of footwear can potentially affect our overall foot health.
For instance, the drier air in autumn can lead to dry, cracked feet. You might even experience an increase in sweating or pressure around bunions when wearing tighter boots. All of which means we'll need to alter our foot care routine to best fit the season, and pay closer attention to these pains and aches.
Sharing some of the best footwear and foot care for the season is physical therapist Karena Wu, who recently stopped by TODAY. She revealed some of her favorite recommendations for optimal foot health, from editor-loved sneakers to cushioned insoles.
Put an extra pep in your step this fall by reading some of her top picks below.
Best footwear and foot care products seen on the 3rd hour
Our team describes wearing the Hoka Clifton 10 as 'walking on clouds' because of how well it molds and responds to your feet. It's one of the many reasons why we constantly recommend it.
"These are the best walking shoe," Wu also raves. "The insoles are super plush with cloud-like comfort, and the inside of the shoe is roomy — great for people with wide feet." The physical therapist notes that she loves that the sneaker is chunky without the bulk. "These feel lightweight on your feet!" she adds.
While the above link is in women's sizing, you can shop the sneaker in men's here.
Now that we’re officially heading into the season of cold weather, now is the time to start revamping our foot care routine. Dry weather can lead to dry, cracked heels, but this moisturizing duo helps repair your feet over time.
After being on your feet all day, you need to recover. That's where the expert- and editor-loved Oofos enters the picture. "They have a padded foam sole designed to absorb 37% more impact than traditional footwear, according to the brand," explains Wu. "Which means these slides reduce stress on your feet and joints and alleviate foot pain."
While we might not always think about wearing them, insoles offer more benefits than you might think. “Insoles help with general foot and lower leg pain, as they support the natural foot position, enhance stability and provide cushioning,” says Wu.
The pick above provides all of that and more, including odor control. Since they have a terry cloth layer, they’re breathable and moisture-absorbing, so you can skip the socks.
As a part of Shop TODAY’s Ranked series for the best shoe deodorizers, our team rated the Arm & Hammer Deodorizer Odor Busterz as the “best overall” because of how much they remove odor, their ease of use, and reusability, among other perks. And for just under $6, these are a must for keeping your boots fresh this upcoming season.
Although they're a splurge, these Aerosoles loafers don't miss out on comfort and style. "It's the perfect loafer for the office, going out to dinner and everyday wear," mentions Wu. "They're soft and cradle your feet — super comfortable and lightweight!"
And according to Google Trends, the search for "loafers" has continuously had peaks this month, so you'll want to get your hands on this style for fall.
More footwear to shop
Give your foot or lower leg a good stretch with the foot rocking device above. From plantar fasciitis to tight calves, the brand recommends using the tool for relief for a variety of concerns.
Looking for a quick solution for dry feet? "This foot peeling spray transforms your feet in minutes — made with coconut and aloe, it gently exfoliates and removes dead skin cells to give you softer, smoother skin," explained commerce editor and producer Julie Ricevuto, who previously suggested the product on the show. Use an exfoliating mitt for best results, but it's just as effective on its own, per the brand.
This pedi-sponge offers more than meets the eye. With skin care infused and a dual-sided texture, the brand claims it cleanses, exfoliates, moisturizes and massages in one.
If you suffer from any foot pain, this easy-to-use foot massager quickly relieves any tension. “My husband gets plantar fasciitis, and this has been a huge help,” Ricevuto says. “The roller relieves tension and tightness in feet, legs and hands — just roll along sore muscles.”
Toe spacers can improve the appearance of the foot (from bunions, for instance) and boost toe strength. So while they’re a bit funny-looking on, they’re a helpful pair to add to your foot care routine.
Tired feet? This purifying foot soak contains Epsom and Himalayan salts, marula oil, and meadowfoam to soothe and deodorize.
The Brooks Ghost 17 is best for those with a neutral arch, per our previous Brooks coverage, which is labeled as a light and comfortable everyday walking or running shoe.“While these shoes have joined me for thousands of miles on runs and walks, they aren’t only for pacing,” raved senior social media editor Kate McCarthy. “They have also made appearances in HIIT and boot camp-style workout classes. Whether I’m toeing the start line of a marathon or strolling through Central Park on a lazy Sunday morning, these are the shoes I always reach for.”
“Because they’re lightweight, they work really well for walks, runs and cross-training,” says commerce writer Emma Stessman. “I can just as comfortably run seven miles in them as I can walk more than 20,000 steps (and I have done both while wearing them). The upper is soft and breathable, so my feet don’t get overheated when I’m going those long distances either.”
Birkenstocks might be popular for the trendy, versatile style, but their supportive footbed is the real star of the show. It's a cushioned and lined with suede, so it molds to your foot for the most comfortable fit.
How we chose the best footwear
Our team features a range of qualified experts and contributors in our broadcast segments to reveal the latest in trends, remarkable sale events and all things shopping across a variety of categories. Products were independently chosen by members of the Shop TODAY team, along with Karena Wu, to find the best footwear and foot care products.
Meet the expert
- Karena Wu is a physical therapist and the owner and Clinical Director of ActiveCare Physical Therapy.
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