subject: Shoes That Are Both Functional And Comfortable [print this page] For as long as man has worn shoes, one basic need has been addressed: functionality. If you live near the desert: sandals. If you farm or do construction: work boots. If you ride horses or wear a cowboy hat: boots and ropers. If you are a female and out on the town: sexy heels. There are nearly as many types of shoes as there are people to fill them, but rarely has a shoe ever been created for the sole purpose of comfort.
Functionality can be found in most forms of footwear, but unfortunately it sometimes comes at the cost of comfort. Luckily for anyone who loves lounging around the house, or feeling like they are still lounging despite being out and about, there are a few shoes that have been designed with comfort as the primary purpose. The Clarks Wallabee, moccasins, slippers and Crocs are a few types of shoes that try to combine both comfort and functionality.
Comfort shoes are typically of the same construction: made from soft material and placed on an ergonomic sole. These shoes are made to work with the foot's natural anatomy. In a healthy stride, the bones of the foot displace throughout the step, come back together after pushing off with the toes, and then start the process over again on the next step. Shoes that are too tight prevent the bones in the foot from undergoing the natural displacement that is most healthy. The challenge for comfortable shoes is presented in finding a way to utilize the previously described design while still being supportive.
Of course, in some cases comfort must be sacrificed for the sake of safety or functionality. It's hard to make steel-toed boots very comfortable, but that same steel that lacks comfort may ultimately end up saving the foot of its owner. While boots and ropers are not the most comfortable forms of footwear, they serve a purpose. The heel of those boots is designed to accommodate spurs and to perform as an anchor while the rider is in the stirrups. Desert dwellers wear sandals because most other shoes would be torn apart from the wear caused by the friction of sand against the shoe material.
Luckily, this is the 21st Century, and there are numerous options for footwear. The more specialized industries become, the more specialized their footwear will become. Clarks Wallabees, moccasins, slippers and Crocs are a few examples of a shoe that has been designed for both comfort and functionality. Or, perhaps comfort could be viewed as their functionality. At the end of a hard work week, it is sometimes necessary to strive after some serious relaxation. At those times, a shoe that is both functional and comfortable becomes not just the best option, but the only option.
