Banish tired feet while on holiday

As you are likely to be on your feet for hours during your vacation, here are some tips from experts on how to choose the right footwear

- Sarah Stanley

Walking is the most ubiquitous and often, most rewarding way to explore a new place. In bustling cities, going on foot allows you to take in the pulse of a place. In nature, it is how you discover pristine landscapes.

Regardless of destination, travelers are seeking experiences that often involve them being on their feet for hours. These include going on adventure tours, exploring "hidden gems" and visiting cultural hot spots - which around half of the 7,000 respondents to travel booking platform Klook's December 2024 Travel Pulse report have expressed interest in.

A good pair of travel shoes is essential for comfort and, more importantly, well-being. Here is some expert-backed advice on how to choose the right pair.

ILL-FITTING SHOES ARE A COMMON CAUSE OF FOOT PAIN Orthopaedic experts who spoke to The Straits Times say that in the last decade, they have seen more people returning from holidays with foot injuries and chronic discomfort, often linked to poor footwear choices.

Mr Png Chang Liang, founder of orthopaedic shoe store FeetCare, says his customer base has doubled over the past 12 years. While many seek orthotic solutions to manage flat-footedness, he has seen a noticeable rise in cases involving heel pain and bunions. The latter refers to a painful bony protrusion on the joint at the base of the big toe.

"Awareness has increased. People now realize that foot pain isn't something they have to live with," he says. "Many of these issues are also lifestyle-related. Travel is a big one - people walk a lot more when they're overseas, and they sometimes return with foot pain."

Mr Clarence Oo, who trained as a professional shoe fitter with non-profit organisation Society of Shoe Fitters from Britain and is the co-founder of local orthopaedic shoe store Footkaki, has observed a similar trend.