My name is Cameron Kippen and I am an anthroplogist/sociologist who studies the human foot in health and disease (podologist). I am also a shoe historian and practising podiatrist. My main academic interest is in the psycho-social aspects of shoe design and I am very much looking forward to lurking on this list.
cool, welcome, let us know if you have any specific questions. I know your comments will be welcome. I’d love to hear some about your perspective on things, especially on topics like the perception of fit and performance vs the physical reality of it…
sounds like you have an interesting field of study…probably won’t have too much use for you here tho…we just draw shoes and make em look hot! LOL Just kidding. Actually as Yo said, I think it will be refreshing to get some of your opinion. Maybe you could give some info on relevant studies that have been done etc. I would be interested in learning!
Remarkably there have been very little published (that I am aware of ) in regard to shoe fit. What exists emanates from orthopaedic sources and tends to demonise shoes as a primary cause of sore feet. However there is little to support this theory for the vast majority of the population. When it is associated it is often an exciting factor, only.
Heeled shoes have been condemned for centuries by medics as poor for posture but again there is no scientific evidence to support this argument.
Much of the condemnation expressed has been misogenistic distrust of the female gender.
Fit appears to have something to do with prorioception. Elevating the heel unlocks the forefoot causing it to splay, this in turn increases side contact with the shoe and may feedack to the brain, may be the foot is in a comfortable position. This might account for the reason some women enjoy wearing heeled shoes (which are smaller than their foot dimensions).
Cameron
Actually as Yo said, I think it will be refreshing to get some of your opinion. Maybe you could give some info on relevant studies that have been done etc. I would be interested in learning!
To your point… My wife is in 3 aerobics classes, plus walks about 25 miles a week (and fast… I can’t keep up w/ her). So she spends a lot of time in athletic shoes. But I come home from work often to find her still in workout clothes but wearing high-heel slides with feather boa on the vamp. Asked why, she say’s “I just love wearing them.”
By the way, she has great posture. And seeing her in those heels tends to improve my posture as well.