FOOT HEALTH
Published: 11 February, 2010
Tell us about your background, how did you get into footwear?
I am a podiatrist by profession and we are all trained to consider footwear as part of our clinical assessment. It was when I began work in a specialist diabetic unit in Sheffield in 1985 that I really became interested in footwear and this was because I was then dealing with the extreme effect that inadequately fitting shoes can have on foot health and the dramatic impact in terms of health costs and human misery that can result. At a later stage, I became involved in the development of forensic podiatry in the UK and much of my work in this area has been about footwear in the context of human identification.
I understand that you are also a member of the Society of Shoe Fitters, as the first person in 50 years to achieve a 100% pass mark in their Entrance Examination?
That is correct. I would, however, be the first to admit that this doesn't make me an experienced shoefitter. As well as the theoretical understanding, I have in footwear matters, I have a certain level of practical experience in shoefitting matters from my clinical and forensic background, but I recognise that I am still a relative newcomer to the wider specialty of shoefitting.
Why did you become involved in the Healthy Footwear Guide?
There were several stages which lead to this development:
- Through my background, I developed a clinical appreciation of the problems that poorly fitting footwear can cause in the foot along with a recognition of the difficulties patients face when attempting to find shoes which are conducive to good foot health.
- This eventually lead to my planning and instigating a formal consensus event to agree criteria for healthy footwear in order to provide a firm, generally accepted basis or what the most important elements are in relation to healthy footwear design.
- I then had the desire to turn the agreement achieved through the consensus event into a reality - in other words to make this work into something more than an academic exercise and which was potentially of genuine value to society. This was when I set up the Healthy Footwear Guide Scheme by inviting the group who had participated in the consensus exercise to follow this up with me.
What are the aims of this Group?
The aims of the Healthy Footwear Group are to:
- Help people to recognise the key features of footwear that will most likely offer a healthy and comfortable fit
- Encourage companies to manufacture shoes with these key features
- Encourage companies to join the Healthy Footwear Guide and actively promote footwear with these key features
- Help people find shoe stores that can advise on the correct fit of this footwear
- Offer advice to people who cannot get to a shoe store on the key fitting properties to look for when trying Healthy Footwear Guide recommended footwear
Which footwear companies currently belong to the HFG?
The following footwear companies currently belong to the scheme:
Clarks (K brand), DB Shoes, Healthy Feet, Padders
Tell us about the work of the Executive Healthy Footwear Group?
The group exists to translate the Healthy Footwear Criteria into a “Healthy Footwear Guidelines” scheme, which is being promoted to the public, industry and interested professional groups.
The group publishes lists of participating footwear manufacturers on its web site, and confirms that nominated footwear products do comply with the guidelines, when this has been asserted, by a process of random sampling.
It is hoped that the scheme will help to raise awareness of the value of healthy footwear and enable customers to make informed choices when purchasing footwear. In doing so, the scheme should help to reduce the number of footwear-related foot health problems.
What are the Healthy Footwear Guidelines?
- Toe box allows normal foot function
- Adequate width and depth for foot function
- Sole encourages normal foot function
- Soft flexible upper and lining
- Stable heel of approximately 25mm
- In shoe climate which promotes a healthy environment within the shoe
- Shoe provides reasonable cosseting
- Shoe retains its’ fitness for purpose
- Shoe must offer good foot retention
- Availability of product advice
- Outsole grip meets industry standards
How does a company become a member of HFG?
Shoe manufacturers can sign up to the scheme by declaring an intention to support the manufacture of products in certain ranges that will meet the designated criteria. They can then designate products which that they feel meet the guidelines and details of these products are submitted to the group for assessment and confirmation. The products which meet the criteria will then be allocated a symbol of recognition by the manufacturer, which can be identified by the public when seeking to purchase healthy footwear. The group itself is non-profit making, but administers a small charge (currently £250/year) to participating companies, to cover its’ basic administration costs. Full Information on how to do this is available on the groups' web site (www.healthy-footwear-guide.com)
Which organizations support the HFG?
The Society of Shoe fitters, The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists, The Independent Footwear Retailers Association
Which footwear features/types of footwear do you consider currently pose the greatest threat to the nation’s feet?
This is an interesting question as I have seen many extreme problems caused by many aspects of footwear - covering a multitude of issues. If I address this question in terms of the most common footwear features/types I have come across which have caused problems of the feet, this would come down to shoes which deviate markedly from the natural shape of the foot, particularly in relation to toebox style.
And, your OBE, when was this awarded and the criteria?
This was awarded in the Queens' Birthday Honours list in 2009 and the investiture was in October that year. The award was made "for services to medicine and healthcare". It is my understanding that the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) award is typically made for distinguished service or achievement at national level.
Any plans for the future?
I have a few. I am currently in the closing stages of a text book that I am writing with an American colleague on forensic podiatry and once this is completed, I have plans to write a book with a UK colleague for clinicians on footwear. I am currently preparing two new research proposals, one of which relates to footwear and health. At the top of my list though is a plan to head for Berlin on my motorbike at the first available opportunity I can find for a short break!
What do the members think of the Healthy Footwear Group?
Footwear Today asked Healthy Footwear Group members for their perspectives on the Group:
A spokesperson from Clarks told us: “Clarks has been involved with the Healthy Footwear Group (HFG) almost from day one. “We are delighted to be able to use their logo in many of our UK stores and, wherever it appears, we’ve noticed that the HFG endorsement has increased consumer interest, particularly in the K range.
“Currently in the middle of our first selling season, we’re confident that when the HFG logo becomes common place customers looking for assurance will actively seek it out. They will focus on HFG endorsed products, safe in the knowledge that they meet the HFG criteria as well as deliver exceptional quality, comfort and style.
Charles Denton, Managing Director of DB shoes said: “DB Shoes has been a member of the group since its inception. The healthy footwear group is fulfilling a vital role in highlighting to the general public and foot health professionals shoes that met the criteria laid out in the healthy footwear guide. As more manufacturers/brands develop products that met this criteria and sign up to the objectives of the healthy footwear group, the foot health of the nation will be greatly improved.
“The next stage of developing a “criteria” for retailers to join the group completes the circle between foot health professionals, footwear manufacturers and shoe fitters in advising the general public about the best footwear for their particular needs.”
Lucinda Merriman, Marketing Manager of Padders, commented: “Padders were delighted to be invited to join the Healthy Footwear Group and strongly support the notion that footwear manufacturers should be aware of their social responsibility of providing well fitting, beneficial footwear. The collaboration of foot health professionals and manufacturers is a great idea and can only be of benefit to the footwear industry.
“With no real industry standard in fitting and design, the consumer can find buying properly fitting footwear from different brands, with varying lasts and widths frustratingly difficult. With the Healthy Footwear Guide accreditation, in the form of swing tickets or in-store POS, the healthy footwear options can be easily identified at a glance.
“Companies that can be seen giving their customers informed choices will gain precious product differentiation and offer a superior Customer value proposition. Being members also gives increased credibility with podiatrists and chiropodists, giving them a clear ‘bench mark’ when recommending suitable footwear for their patients.
“As the average end user becomes more discerning in a market place where there is more choice than ever, I would encourage all footwear manufacturers to sign up with the HFG. “
Martyn Sherman, B.Sc. Pod. D.Pod.M. M.Ch.S, senior podiatrist at Healthy Feet in Sheffield, added: “At Healthy Feet Clinic and Shoe Shops we believe that our patients and customers feel much more confident buying from our footwear range that meets the criteria of the healthy footwear guide. They can easily identify these shoes by the healthy footwear guide logo on the labels. Our in-house Podiatrists can help with the selection and fitting, and can make any adjustments to the inside of the shoe to improve foot function if necessary.”
HFG Meeting for retailers
The Healthy Footwear Group is having a meeting on 15 March regarding retailer membership of the scheme. The meeting is to encourage retailers to join the HFG and to discuss the criteria for membership, so it’s an opportunity to be involved and have a say in how this develops. It’s open to any retailer that would like to come along and find out a little more about the HFG. Anyone interested should email
Professor Wesley Vernon Email: wesvernon@yahoo.co.uk or Lucinda Merriman Email: Lucinda@padders.co.uk
Date: Monday 15 March 2010
Time: 10.30am
Venue: Clarks Shoes Ltd, Sapphire House, Sapphire West (2nd Floor), 550 Streetsbrook Road, Solihull, B91 1QY
