Choosing comfortable footwear for women feels like picking a needle from a haystack in Pakistan. While most women naturally dream of having a stylish, trendy pair of formal or casual wear; they are met with hefty prices and discomfort outweighing the stylish look. Both these major issues have been ignored by Pakistanis since forever.
Unfortunately, forcing women to wear heels and sandals without any insole cushioning or arch support, with rock-hard soles that cause blisters and sore feet has been made a culture in Pakistan by the shoe manufacturers. It is high time to start a conversation about the need for comfortable shoes for women. They also deserve to feel comfortable and confident in their own skin by choosing footwear that is comfortable, feminine, and affordable.
Overpricing
Come to think of it, women in Pakistan often face the issue of exorbitant prices when buying a decent pair of shoes. They are forced to sacrifice a big portion of their monthly budget just for a single pair, even save for months to buy one. One factor can be the presence of a monopoly of a few major footwear brands in the shoe market that set high prices to dominate the market.
Another factor is the cost of imports. Most of the materials used to make shoes, such as leather and rubber, need to be imported from other countries. This drives up the cost of production, which is then passed on to the consumers in the form of higher prices. In our society, high prices are usually perceived as the insurance of super quality, premium craftsmanship, durability, and use of quality materials, which is not always the case. It is simply the cost of transportation, labor, and overhead expenses that contributes to the overall prices.
Uncomfortable for every foot type
Another great quality of women's footwear is the discomfort and uneasiness at every possible point of the foot. All of the shoes lack insole cushioning and arch support. The design, majority of them have narrow widths, pointy structures, slab-like soles, and ankle-stabbing heels. They are made to look colorful, stylish, and chic; but neither are they comfortable nor shaped according to the natural formation of the foot.
Wearing such kind of shoes can lead to aching feet, blisters, bunions; and even knee and back pains. Women in a country like Pakistan, where most of them spend long hours on their feet in the kitchen, require this problem to be addressed sooner.
Females with flat feet and plantar fasciitis often become bound to compromise style for required foot support. They are forced to buy orthopedic footwear from the “men’s section” due to the lack of medicated options in the women’s section.
Uncomfortable shoes can cause a myriad of problems, such as poor posture leading to distortion in body alignment and back pains. Conditions like Achilles tendonitis develop, creating serious consequences for the quality of life
Sub-standard Materials
Another uncomfortable truth is the use of poor quality, substandard material used in the production of women’s footwear. The most common one is synthetic leather used as a cheap alternative to the genuine, which is rigid and devoid of breathability. It is more susceptible to tearing and cracking after only a few wears. Moreover, the material itself is harmful for wearing over an extended period, leading to foot pain and blisters.
Lack of attention to detail while making women's shoes further contributes to discomfort. Prioritisation of cost-cutting measures can be a reason behind this.
Lack of Affordable Options
It is a daunting task for women to find a pair of shoes with all qualities, i.e. comfort, style, right size, and affordability. Going for one quality definitely requires a sacrifice for the other.
Uncomfortable shoes can cause a myriad of problems, such as poor posture leading to distortion in body alignment and back pains. Conditions like Achilles tendonitis develop, creating serious consequences for the quality of life. The time during which that pair gets worn out, passes with continuous foot anxiety with chronic discomfort. Therefore, well-cushioned, well-designed, and supportive shoes are a basic necessity for overall physical and mental well-being.
All of the above-mentioned problems have never been prioritised before to be discussed at a public forum. Women themselves prioritise aesthetics and style when choosing shoes, be it formal, casual, or bridal wear, not realising the long-term health impacts on their feet, spine, and overall health. Walking on toes with sky-high heels, or with flat shoes having no arch support, makes day-to-day activities difficult to accomplish.
Now is a high time to demand comfort and health over unnecessary fashion trends, so that shoe manufacturers prioritise health and well-being by creating well-supported footwear. They should produce comfort-focused designs with durable materials while offering options that are affordable for women with a variety of foot problems. Adaptive sizing must become a norm, promoting accessibility without being restrictive in style and comfort.