Chances are, you’ve already taken out your Uggs or other fur-lined boots. The warm, fuzzy shoes are so appealing when the weather is so cold. Some like to wear them for their warmth, some love being able to easily slip them on, and others think they are cute, albeit chunky. They can surely make good shoes for braving the winter.

So what’s wrong with them?

Footwear that is good for your foot health has features that support the feet in all directions. Arch support, heel support, inner sole cushioning, breathability, and outer sole tread are important to keep your feet and ankles supported. Unfortunately, Uggs do not really have these features.

Uggs are not great for your feet because:

1. They really are great at keeping your feet warm. While it seems good, the negative is that they’re really good at trapping heat in your shoes. When your feet get hot and sweaty, it begins to provide perfect conditions for bacterial and fungal growth. This is especially worse when you do not wear socks out of convenience of slipping your Uggs right on.

2. They lack structural support. Uggs have no arch support so it’s likely that your feet will flatten inwards and change your gait. The strain in your feet from trying to not slide around in the wide toebox may cause pain in the sole of your feet and heels. It could even cause pain in the Achilles tendon. All of these structural issues can cause not only foot pain, but ankle, knee and hip pains as well due to gait change and leg alignment issues.

So what can you do to save the Uggs?

To tackle the first issue, always wear wicking socks to keep sweat away from the shearling inside. If you sweat a lot and plan to wear the shoes for a long time, it’s best to bring another pair of socks to change into. Also, let them air out and fully dry between wears, rotating with other shoes. Antibacterial shoe spray will help bacterial growth at bay.

For support, you can get arch and heel support with orthotics. To get orthotic inserts that help you, it’s best to get them from our board-certified podiatrist, Carl Ingrassia, DPM at Fords Foot and Ankle Care. Custom orthotics will help fix your gait and give you optimal support for your feet.

If you have been experiencing discomfort or pain due to your footwear, call our office in Woodbridge Township, NJ today at (732) 738-4441. It’s best to address these issues sooner than later. Our team is happy serve all patients in the surrounding areas of Edison, Perth Amboy, Metuchen, Rahway, and Linden.