The Two Faces of the Shoe Fashion Item 'Blopeo'... Comfort or 'Plantar Fasciitis'?

Low Shoes Increase Foot Inflammation Due to Sole Impact

Winter loafers. [Image source=Clipart Korea]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Trainee Reporter Lee Seryeong] As the COVID-19 pandemic prolongs, more people are seeking comfortable clothing, leading to the rise in popularity of athleisure looks, which gave birth to the new term ‘Kkuankku’ meaning “dressed up but not too much.”

Athleisure is a portmanteau of Athletic and Leisure, referring to clothing that is as functional as sportswear yet suitable for everyday wear without looking out of place.

With the trend of comfortable attire, slippers that were once casually worn for quick trips to the convenience store have transformed into bloafers, which now complement everything from casual outfits to formal wear.

Bloafers are shoes with a closed front like loafers that cover the instep but have an open heel like slippers. Products lined with sheep or alpaca wool have appeared in winter, increasing their popularity.

The Foot Center at Daedong Hospital pointed out that although these pretty and warm slippers are comfortable, they can negatively affect foot health.

Generally, when walking, the heel strikes the ground first, and the force is distributed through the foot arch. However, shoes with low heels like bloafers cause the force to concentrate immediately at the front upon heel contact, delivering shock to the sole.

Wearing bloafers for extended periods can cause repeated damage to the plantar fascia, leading to inflammation known as plantar fasciitis.

The plantar fascia is a thick fibrous band that extends from the heel bone to the toes with five branches.

It maintains the arch shape of the foot, absorbs shocks transmitted to the foot, and helps lift the foot when bearing weight.

Plantar fasciitis typically causes pain on the inside of the heel, but since symptoms often disappear with rest, many people tend to take it lightly and neglect it.

Due to their design, bloafers are heavier at the front, which strains the ankle and calf muscles, potentially causing inflammation in the Achilles tendon that runs from the heel bone to the calf or abnormally stretching the ligaments supporting the ankle.

When the feet become fatigued, walking posture can also be affected, negatively impacting the knees, spine, and hip joints. Those with flat feet, plantar fasciitis, or other foot conditions may experience worsened symptoms.

Experts recommend considering functional aspects for foot health when choosing shoes.

Shoes should have ample toe space and fit the width of the foot. It is better to choose shoes with heels about 1 to 2 cm high rather than flat shoes like bloafers, slippers, or loafers.

Good shoes support the foot arch and give the feeling that the entire sole is lifting the body. After trying on shoes, walk a few steps to check if your weight is evenly distributed across the sole before purchasing.

Yoo Seongho, Director of the Foot Center at Daedong Hospital, said, “First, check whether the shoes perform their basic functions well before choosing a design.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.