Are Memory Foam Shoes Good For Your Feet?

My two-year experience with memory foam shoes has been the best so far. I love the comfort that comes with these shoes and I would definitely go for another pair.

A few of my friends, on the other hand, have grown to hate them because of their lack of breathability, which makes them uncomfortable when worn for an extended period.

So the question is:

Are memory foam shoes good for your feet or should you go past them?

Let’s dig deeper.

What are Memory Foam Shoes?

When we talk about memory foam, the first thing that comes to mind is a material soft to the touch.

Basically, it’s a soft and durable material made of a viscoelastic substance, which easily stretches and returns to its original shape. And it includes a blend of additional chemicals to increase its density.

Memory foam in shoes is more than just a marketing gimmick to increase sales. With the dense feel of the material, your feet get relatively great support and less pressure on the ball of the foot.

Are Memory Foam Shoes Good for Walking?

Memory foam shoes are good for walking because they have a reasonably decent level of cushioning that manages pressure between your feet and the ground.

However, they don’t make for the ideal shoes for long distance walks because the dense cushioning wears out fast.

So if you have to get a pair of shoes made of memory foam materials, only do so if you intend to use them for walking short distances.

Are Memory Foam Shoes Good for Running?

Since memory foam sneakers can ease pressure on the balls of your feet, absorb heel shock, and provide a reasonable level of arch support, they may be good for running.

However, don’t invest in these if you’re a marathon runner or if you often run long distances. They tear fast and can easily ruin your natural running form once they give up their cushioning.

What are the Benefits of Memory Foam Shoes?

I should say something upfront:

Memory foam shoes are generally good for keeping your feet in good condition. But the level of comfort that they offer is inarguably subject to scrutiny.

So we’ll look at both the advantages and the disadvantages of these shoes in two sections.

This will help you to determine whether they’re good for your feet or otherwise.

To begin with, the following are the benefits of wearing shoes made of memory foam materials.

1. They Enhance Distribution of Balance

With memory foam shoes, you get an even distribution of balance across the feet.

This goes a long way to relieve pressure that would otherwise be on the ball of your feet.

Since there’s a relatively reasonable distribution of balance, these shoes tend to feel a lot more comfortable much like the standard footwear that you’re already used to.

The proper distribution of balance is particularly significantly important when running.

So if you need an additional pair of sneakers for running, these may make a big difference.

2. Shoes with Memory Foam Retain Heat

The chill that comes with cold season can make you rattle your teeth more times than you can count.

Add to that cold feet and you just might shake like a leaf on a loose branch.

But when you buckle up with the right attire for the cold weather, you can walk, stand, and run bravely in that season.

So exactly what does this have to do with memory foam shoes?

It’s simple:

They’re part of the footwear persona that can provide a good level of warmth in the cold season.

The shoes have highly dense foam that retains enough heat to keep your feet warm without necessarily having to put on your socks.

3. Memory Foam Shoes Provide Decent Arch Support

As we came to terms that shoes made of memory foam aren’t as bad as we initially thought, it’s also an advantage that they offer decent arch support.

Thanks to the density of the foam, you do get a cushioned feel that prevents rubbing that tends to cause blisters.

Whether you have flat feet or you have an arch raised above what we consider normal, these shoes should be able to give you some relief.

You do however need to check the level of arch support that they come with, as different models offer varying levels of support.

4. These Shoes Can Ease Pressure

Because they can ease pressure between your feet and any ground you walk on, memory foam sneakers a perfect option to use for running as well as walking.

5. The Shoes Can Relieve Foot Pain

Memory foam sneakers aren’t just good because of their soft to the touch feel.

They’re also elastic yet very comfortable.

Their ability to stretch makes them contour to the shape of your feet, giving you a decent level of support and the comfort you need to walk and run even for an extended period.

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The Disadvantages of Memory Foam Shoes

Let’s be honest:

Memory foam isn’t really the best material that makes up a shoe’s persona.

I’m not saying that Sketchers memory foam shoes are useless. They just have a number of shortcomings that make them a lot less valuable compared to other types of sneakers.

They may be good for walking and running. Not to mention suitable for conditions such as flat feet, plantar fasciitis, and diabetic feet.

However, they do fall short in the following ways:

1. These Shoes Aren’t Breathable

Memory foam sneakers are the worst types of sneakers to use for long-distance running and walking.

Why?

They don’t have the standard level of breathability that your feet need to stay on the move for an extended period.

If anything, the lack of proper air circulation in and out of the shoes will make your feet sweat like hell. And that isn’t a good thing by any means.

There’s something about the sweat that comes from these shoes that’s even more annoying.

The sweat forces your feet to slide forward and backwards, especially if the shoes you have are somewhat roomy.

Given their level of discomfort when subjected to long hour use, memory foam shoes are only suitable for short strolls and few minutes run.

If you need shoes that you can use for long hours, go past memory foam sneakers.

2. Memory Foam Shoes Can Smell Really Bad

With sweat building up in memory foam shoes due to the lack of breathability, a foul smell is certainly imminent.

Let me put it this way:

Shoes that don’t breathe properly can’t let in cool air and let out hot air consistently.

Sweat builds up eventually, especially if you walk or run in the shoes for an extended period.

The result is obvious; smelly  shoes and stinking feet that need cleaning as soon as you take the footwear off.

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Frequently Asked Questions on memory foam shoes

Because they offer a generous level of padding, the inserts protects diabetic feet against too much pressure and friction, making it easy for one to walk without worrying about bunions or hammertoes.