"What's the best type of shoe?"
The most accurate answer is: “it depends.”
Goals, terrain, and anatomical needs are variable, so a one-size fits all is not always the best. This guide serves to give you a starting place.
While some people do need corrective footwear, I generally recommend that most patients gravitate toward shoes with the following three qualities. These criteria not only help with comfort but also support long-term joint health, balance, and performance.
3 Criteria for Shoes
- Open Toe Box (room for toes to splay but supports the heel, not a wide shoe)
- Zero Drop (height measured from heel to toe)
- Minimal to Moderate Stack Height (distance from the ground to your footbed)
Open Toe Box
Shoes with a wide toe box allow your toes to spread naturally, improving muscle activation and balance, while supporting your rear foot (heel region) to prevent shifting. “Open Toe Box” or “Wide Toe Box” is not a “wide shoe” (look for the keyword: Toe Box) which expands the width of the entire shoe and provides too much room leading to foot shifting.
Constrictive shoes can lead to bunions, weak toes, and dysfunctional foot mechanics.
Weak intrinsic foot muscles are also tied to increased fall risk, especially in older adults. That’s why we encourage patients in Lubbock to choose footwear that promotes foot strength early, lowering future risks and improving overall mobility.
Zero Drop
For most people, we recommend zero drop shoes. A raised heel (heel-to-toe drop) shifts your structure forward and can contribute to ankle pain, knee pain, shin splints, hip discomfort, low back pain, and even neck tension.
If you’re a running or endurance athlete, a small drop may help minimize impact forces during heel strike, but for everyday walking, standing, or light activity, zero drop is often the healthier option.
Minimal to Moderate Stack Height
Stack height is the thickness of the shoe’s sole. The foot has thousands of nerve endings designed to sense the ground beneath you. Shoes with thick cushioning (like Hoka) reduce that feedback and encourage an artificial gait pattern.
That said, Lubbock patients who stand on concrete floors all day may benefit from a moderate stack height with flexibility. This mimics the natural cushion of soil, while still allowing your foot to move as designed.
If you can tolerate minimalist shoes without pain, fantastic. If not, a moderate stack height strikes the best balance between support and natural function.
Why This Matters in Lubbock
Whether you’re running marathons on Lubbock trails, training at a local gym, or just trying to stay active without pain, the right footwear can make a huge difference.
At Wagner Sports Chiropractic (Lubbock, TX), we assess runners and athletes not only for injury rehabilitation but also for performance improvement and injury prevention. And if you’re not a runner? We help anyone who wants to walk, work, and live with less pain.
Living in the right shoe, one that matches your body and lifestyle, can be a game-changer. Better shoes lead to better movement, and better movement leads to a better life.
Next Steps
Got questions about footwear, running injuries, or joint pain? Want to feel and function better?
Schedule an appointment at Wagner Sports Chiropractic in Lubbock, TX (8329 Upland Avenue, Lubbock, TX 79424)
-Dr. Grant Wagner, DC, MS, CCSP
Lubbock, TX Sports Practitioner & Rehab Chiropractor
Dr. Grant Wagner
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