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Is footwear becoming tool for self-care in urban India?
Is footwear becoming tool for self-care in urban India?

India Today

time5 days ago

  • Health
  • India Today

Is footwear becoming tool for self-care in urban India?

Footwear has evolved beyond basic protection to become a product that influences posture, joint health, and daily energy levels. Today's athletic shoes built with insole, midsole, and outsole layers are designed to manage impact, enhance movement, and reduce fatigue. And increasingly, Indian consumers are recognising this conversations around wellness grow in urban India, people are beginning to see footwear not just as fashion or fitness gear, but as an everyday self-care essential. A 2022 study by the US National Library of Medicine found that 83.2% of people wear inappropriate shoes, lacking core features like cushioning, arch support, and appropriate heel height (PMC9648311). In India, the problem is amplified. Research on diabetic foot patients in Bangalore found that 95% wore inadequate or no footwear, putting them at direct risk of ulcers and complications (IJS).advertisementIndiatoday spoke with Vijay Chowdhary, Founder & CEO, Xtep India to get more insights on the topic. However, awareness is beginning to grow. A 2023 study in the Indian Journal of Science and Technology highlighted the effectiveness of cushioned insoles in reducing chronic heel pain, especially in working professionals. Another study using ultrasound diagnostics linked heel and fascia thickness with higher plantar fasciitis risk especially in overweight and sedentary Indian adults (PMC10072183).Fewer than 5% of shoes sold in India are engineered to actively improve long-term mobility or reduce physical strain. Global silhouettes often dominate design, with limited adjustments for Indian walking patterns, climate, or terrain. A few brands have begun bridging this gap by developing products specifically with Indian biomechanics and day-to-day usage in mind—a direction more of the industry must now good news: the shift is underway. Comfort and support are gaining ground over pure aesthetics. For an increasingly wellness-conscious generation, self-care now includes what you wear on your is stepping into the wellness conversation and it's here to stay. The opportunity ahead lies in building more India-relevant performance solutions that support how this country moves, lives, and works.- Ends

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