Are PVC shoes dangerous for your health?

It’s (literally) clear that the PVC shoe is the new must have item for your shoe closet. They are everywhere –  from high street fashion houses to the more affordable shoe stores. Whether it’s a combination of plastic upper and heel, or with cut in portions of leather in the upper, it’s pretty hard not to like something about these shoes. We recently read an article from Vogue (May 2018) where they claimed that PVC shoes were actually bad for your feet and overall health. But are they really? This week Elouise breaks down this season’s essential foot accessory.

OK, there is something striking a cord with my inner child when I look at these shoes. Memories of dressing up in my princess costume which included a pair of high heel pink plastic mules have come flooding back to me. I remember thinking how grown up I looked. Not only were the shoes high heels, a big no no on children according to my Mum (and rightfully so too), but they were pink and had a pale pink transparent plastic heel. I loved them so much, looked at them for hours and walked around the house proudly and with purpose! I think this may be where my love affair with shoes actually started. I had my first experience of gripping pain and devastation with these shoes when I snapped the heel off them while walking down the driveway. Cried for hours! Who knew plastic shoes could cause so much emotion? While this certainly seems the case with little girls… this big girl still loves them!

But are they really bad for us? Vogue seems to think so… And here’s why!

1. Risk of fungal and bacterial infection

I have to admit this picture does give me the heebie jeebies. We are professionals first and foremost, but both Ele and I have hyperhidrosis or excess sweating on the bottom of our list of preferred things to treat! And this picture does not look healthy. There are around 30,000 sweat glands in the foot and it you enclose them in a plastic boot condensation will form. Bacteria and fungus love warm moist environments and thrive in this condition. Bacterial infections generally are very smelly and fungal infections are really troublesome to get rid of. Not to mention it would be like a Slip N Slide in there! Y U C K. And as we know friction also causes pain! Additionally, if there is a high heel on the boot  there would also be more movement on and around the metatarsal heads increasing the risk of metatarsalgia.

TWH Solution: Don’t wear enclosed boots!  We advise that you choose a style that has an open toe and avoid above ankle boots, to allow air to circulate in and around the foot and leg. Maybe don your best pair of fishnet socks in combination with your PVC shoe. This will absorb some of the sweat. And do not wear them on the hottest day in Summer!

Pictured here is Kendall Jenner at a LA Lakers game in her PVC boots and fishnets

2. PVC shoes are rigid and lack flexibility to accommodate swelling

According to Dr. Rock Positano, director of the Non-surgical Foot and Ankle Service at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, PVC shoes are really rigid and inflexible. Are they? That’s news to me! I’m not sure Dr Rock has tried on too many of these shoes in his time…  although I shouldn’t make assumptions (we don’t know what his interests are outside of work). No judgement from here Dr Rock but I’m not sure I agree with you on this one, as often the PVC plastic used in these heels has quite a bit of give (well the ones I’ve worn and tried anyway).  

Dr Rock goes on to say that the foot can expand up to to 2 sizes and the PVC shoe won’t expand like leather does to accommodate this. First of all, unless you have severe venous insufficiency, a problem with your lymph system or some other systemic condition, it’s a stretch to say that the foot increases 2 sizes throughout the day. Also, I don’t know any leather shoe that wouldn’t hurt if the foot increases 2 whole sizes. Even kangaroo skin which is incidentally the softest and strongest of leathers would struggle to accommodate this much oedema. Dr Rock does make a very valid point though about the PVC shoe – He states that if the sole of the shoe is PVC then it will lack shock absorption and flexibility which can cause pain to the foot. This we agree on!

This lucite soled shoe is an example of what to try to avoid.  

TWH Solution: Shop at the end of the day!  The foot is generally at its biggest at the end of the day which will allow you to get the correct size.  Choose a style that allows for some increase in size and try to choose a shoe that has a leather or rubber sole that will allow for more shock absorption and overall comfort.

3. PVC shoes cause blisters

Vogue’s Fashion News Editor Chioma Nnadi recalls the severe blisters that formed on her feet when she walked for hours around the streets of New York in the height of Summer in PVC shoes.  Depending on the shape of the upper and where the edge of the upper ends on the foot, there could be an increased risk of blistering on the foot. Sure this is true, but leather straps can also cause severe blistering if they are poorly placed or there is stiff stitching over a flexion point of the foot. I think the point here is the combination of hot weather, extended periods of walking and poor upper shape are all conducive to increasing the risk of blistering.

TWH Solution: Be sensible with the choice of PVC shoe with regards to heel height, shape and placement of straps and if there is any stitching in the upper. If the shoe upper finishes away from obvious flexion points(where a joint bends) the risk of blistering should be reduced. I would like to mention that a PVC upper will actually accommodate minor toe deformities quite well as it is reasonably forgiving! Also don’t wear these shoes for hours on end in Summer! The heat will cause increased sweating which will increase movement and friction and therefore blistering.  

I tried on these Tony Bianco mules the other day and they were really comfortable. The midi heel was the perfect height for a comfortable forefoot and the PVC upper felt supportive but certainly not tight. They came in a range of really pretty colours too. These are fashion shoes though people! We are not suggesting that you walk for hours on end in these, but they are a perfect choice for dinner or a cocktail party. We have these Tony Bianco’s up on TWH’s Shoe equation and a selection of this season’s PVC shoes for your perusal.  

What do you think?  We would love to hear your thoughts on this shoe trend.

Until next time

E & E