Choosing a comfortable dress shoe can be a very difficult undertaking. There are many things to consider when selecting a comfortable dress shoe for both women and men. Familiarity with various brands and an understanding of the shape of your feet will go a long way in determining an ideal and comfortable dress shoe.

There are three foot shapes that a majority of the population has: flat foot, normal foot, and high arch.

Flat feet can be hereditary, or flat feet can develop over years of foot abuse. Shoes that fully support your arch and that have a firm heel counter are recommended for stability and strength. Women with flat feet should consider the Drew Lora. This shoe offers a removable insole that can be replaced with custom orthotic insoles prescribed by a doctor. Men should try the P.W. Minor 5th Avenue.

Those with normal feet can typically wear any comfort dress shoe without any major problems. Keep in mind that you still need to make sure that you have proper arch support and an excellent fit in order for a pair of comfortable dress shoes to be effective. Women should try a nice comfortable dress shoe such as the Easy Spirit Ilene. Men will find a superb comfortable dress shoe when they wear the Mephisto Squall.

Individuals with high arches have a lot of foot pain. Custom orthotic insoles are oftentimes used by individuals with high arches to alleviate pain. Those that have foot pain that is not severe enough to go see a specialist need to make sure they are wearing shoes with the right support and that have a great fit. Aetrex Sarah is a great comfortable dress shoe for women with high arches. The shoes have removable insoles, providing you with the ability to wear custom orthotics without wearing a shoe that screams "I'm orthotic." Men should try the Drew Arlington.

Uncomfortable feet make for an uncomfortable life. Finding a great pair of comfortable dress shoes is very important.

Footwear is the most important clothing item for senior citizens and baby boomers, at least in terms of our comfort and our health. We may focus on a tailer-made suit or custom-fitted gown for a special occasion, or even shop carefully (and with a fashion consciousness) for our work outfits or our leisure apparel. However, footwear is our only clothing item that impacts the earth's surface, unless our slacks or jeans are way too long.

Our blazers, or our shirts and blouses, need not absorb the small but steady jolts of 8,000 to 10,000 steps per day. This why we must treat the feet, first and foremost, starting with a proper fit for our footwear. Three-quarters of senior citizens and baby boomers, at some point in our lives, will encounter foot pain. For those fortunate among us, foot pain will come and go. For others, foot pain is persistent.

The first thing we can do is to make sure our shoes fit, and guess what? Instead of just dispersing this general advice, we're going to give you a few original tips that may not have crossed your mind:

1. Check your shoe size later in the day, because feet can swell as the day goes on.
2. Check the sizes of both feet. Through the years, one may have become larger or wider than the other.
3. Keep in mind that even on a dress shoe, a lace-up style offers more ability to adjust for better comfort and support.
4. Walk on carpet, not just a hard surface, to determine whether your shoes fit properly. Carpeting provides a different experience than a wood or tile floor.
5. Finally, make sure you can wiggle all of your toes up in those new shoes, not just the big ones.

Look at it this way: If a fellow's pants are hitched too high, he looks like a doofus. If a fellow's shoes don't fit right, he walks like a doofus. The difference in the second scenario is that physical pain and health issues come into play. Don't be a shoe-fit doofus!

SOURCES
http://seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Aging/2007/7-04-12-PainFree.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/foot-pain/MY00082
http://www.foot-specialist.com/foot-pain.htm

The shape and design of the foot is genetic. That being said, a lot of foot pain is associated with the shape of one's foot, the arch and a variety of other attributes. Other foot pain however may be a result of lifestyle activities such as one's choice of sports. Trying to find ways to cope with conditions, such as plantar fasciitis and other issues particular to athletes is challenging. Short of going to the podiatrist and constantly performing the necessary exercises, there are other alternatives that can be added to the routine to help avoid the pain associated with plantar fasciitis.

Foot problems can attack a person of any age. Realizing that help is available is important. For athletes that regularly participate in high-impact sports, heel pain associated with plantar fasciitis is quite common. One readily available alternative solution is the use of Superfeet Insoles.

Superfeet Insoles were originally created by the sports division of a podiatric laboratory. Today, Superfeet Premium Insoles offer a variety of insole products based on the type of feet, as well as providing the proper support for the foot, based on the specific sport and activity. Superfeet Premium Insoles are designed to provide, not only comfort and support, but also shock absorption to those who participate in high-impact activities.

Superfeet Premium Insoles are color coordinated to shoe type and the athlete's sports. Case in point: the Superfeet Premium Yellow Insoles are designed for the individual requiring a narrow heel and wide forefoot. Ideal for ice skaters, hockey players and road cyclists, Superfeet Premium Yellow Insoles offer a bacterial control system, a stabilizer system for support, and high-density foam for comfort in addition to other features.

Superfeet Premium Wintergreen Insoles are designed for the individual who is an active snowboarder, skier, or one whose activity or job requires the use of snow boots and removable insoles. These insoles are designed to prevent heel pain, align the bones of the foot and provide metatarsal support. The moderately priced Superfeet Premium Insoles, which average $45 a pair, can put one on track to foot health.