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CHECK IT OUT — HEEL TO TOE Yes, you should have room between the tip of your toes and the top of the shoe (look for a space about the width of your thumb). But consider the shape of a shoe,

as well as the size. Pointed pumps and wing tips will cramp toes and possibly lead to bunions and hammertoe. A wider toe box will provide more room. “A lot of people think that means the

width of the shoe, but it does not,” Kor says. “The toe box is side-to-side around the toe area; the width of the shoe is measured at the ball of the foot. You can have a shoe that has

significant width, but still has a narrow toe box, and it's going to put pressure on the toes.” (Stuhlfaut notes that you should feel like you could “play the piano with your

toes.") Teetering on lofty heels can lead to pain on the balls of the feet and an Achilles tendon that will tighten over time. “That's going to happen anyway as you age, but

you're going to exacerbate it at a faster rate,” says Kor, who suggests nothing higher than 1 1/2 inches. CONSIDER YOUR BOTTOM LINE "In retirement communities, people spend a lot

of time on carpeting, and that can be a tripping hazard,” says Stuhlfaut. But while you need traction, beware of shoes with rubber soles, which can be heavy and not ideal for less-mobile

seniors who have trouble lifting their feet or rely on walkers to get around. A better option: polyurethane, which is durable but more lightweight. Once broken in, the material also offers

traction, without the sticky feel on carpeting that rubber can bring. Those dealing with the pain of arthritis may find it easier to walk in shoes with rocker bottoms, from brands like HOKA

and Clarks. Designed with a thick sole and rounded heel, “they help propel the foot forward,” says Alan Bass, a podiatrist based in Manalapan, N.J. LET SOME AIR IN THERE Cracked skin between

the toes — which can be caused by trapped moisture — can be a nuisance or even a health risk. “When people ask for a breathable shoe, I go over to the athletic shoes,” says Stuhlfaut.

“Shoes made of an airflow mesh are some of the best.” Your choice of socks also matters, because if they won't allow moisture to be wicked away, your feet won't stay dry. Socks

with some wool ingredient — say, a mix of wool and acrylic cotton — tend to be better than just pure cotton, says Kor. ASK ABOUT SPECIAL FEATURES Be sure to clue a salesperson in to specific

foot conditions you might have. Chances are, there's a footwear feature that can accommodate it. For example, those who have diabetes, hammertoe or other friction issues might consider

shoes that are seam-free on the inside to prevent chafing. Another option: extra-depth shoes in which the shoe or toe box is taller, creating a looser fit and more room for sensitive areas.

“For bunions,” says Stuhlfaut, “we have a slide-in shoe that has a stretch leather panel built into the bunion area.” INSERTS AND ORTHOTICS When you might need them, and when Medicare may

pay Shoes right out of the box may be work for some, but others may need to have their footwear modified with upgraded inserts. “The insert can be critical because in a majority of shoes we

buy today, the inserts are just a little inexpensive piece and don't support the foot properly,” says Margiano. Though inserts are often used for support, they also can be used to

create volume or take it away. “If somebody has thin fat pads on the bottom of their feet, you can slip pads into their shoe to make it fit better,” says Stuhlfaut. People with serious foot

issues — say, diabetic foot ulcers, hammertoe, or plantar fasciitis — might consider prescription orthotics, custom-made devices that provide support and reduce pressure on the bottom of the

foot. They typically cost about $300 to $800. Diabetics who are at risk for foot ulcers should look into Medicare's Therapeutic Shoes & Inserts program, says Bass. Medicare will

pay 80 percent of the cost of diabetic shoes and orthotics for those who meet the criteria. To learn more, ask your podiatrist or go to medicare.gov/coverage/therapeutic-shoes-inserts.