My grandma Dot used to say there are two things worth spending money on: a good mattress and good shoes.
We cannot do much about the mattress in your missionary apartment, but we can help with shoe advice.
Since July 10, 1997, we have helped 593,888 Elders and Sisters with their mission shopping. Here are a few things we have learned along the way about shoes and foot health that might help you in your mission preparation.
The short answer
Most missionaries should plan on at least two mission-ready pairs of shoes.
The exact mix depends on the mission, climate, walking level, dress standards, and personal fit needs, but shoe rotation is one of the simplest ways to help shoes last longer and keep feet more comfortable.
If your missionary strongly prefers one style or color, taking two pairs of the same exact shoe can be smarter than buying one pair they will never wear.
The same principle applies to socks. Most missionaries hate matching socks, so it is a good idea to buy 10-12 pairs of the exact same socks.
Why rotation matters
Rotating shoes is one of the simplest ways to help them last longer, be more comfortable, and prevent foot issues.
Each foot can release more than a cup of moisture during a long day of walking, and the insole and sole can be compressed more than 10,000 times per day. Rotation gives each pair a chance to air out, helps reduce odor and microbial growth, and lets the sole and insole rebound before the next wear.
On hot or rainy days, it is a good idea to remove the insoles from the shoes during their rest day.
Missionary shoes are different from church shoes
Dress shoes made for church or the office usually are not enough for missionaries.
Missionary shoes need to look nice, but they also need to handle long days, standing, many miles of walking, and harsh weather. We have helped almost 600,000 missionaries, and with our guarantee we have learned which materials, stitching, insoles, soles, and leathers work best.
A shoe that feels fine for three hours on Sunday may not feel fine after weeks of missionary walking.
Start with fit
Fit matters more than almost anything.
Shoes that are too small can lead to ingrown toenails and blisters. Toes spread out over long days of walking, so it is important to get the right fit before the mission starts.
We use a European comfort fit concept on our men's and women's shoes. The shoe fits the arch and instep, but leaves room in the toe box for comfort over long days of walking.
Wear a great sock
Clean, breathable socks help wick moisture and protect both feet and shoes.
For Elders, our famous walk socks come in both cotton and wool blends. They are modeled after tennis and hiking socks with a mesh top for breathability, a padded bottom for comfort, and rubber grippers to keep them up on your calf.
For Sisters, no-show socks or liners can keep a comfortable layer between the foot and the shoe.
Keep feet clean and nails trimmed
A simple nightly routine can help prevent bigger foot problems later.
Wash your feet, keep them dry, trim toenails straight across to help avoid painful ingrown toenails, and file your toenails to avoid snags and cuts.
It is not glamorous advice, but it matters. A small foot problem can become a big problem when a missionary is walking every day.
Pack simple shoe-care items
Shoes last longer when missionaries take care of them.
Helpful items can include:
- Extra socks
- Insoles
- Polish or leather care
- A shoehorn
- Shower sandals
- A small brush or cloth
- Weather protection when appropriate
Clean shoes before polishing them. Let removable insoles air out. Condition leather regularly so it does not dry and crack. Use a shoehorn when possible, and unlace shoes before taking them off.
What about Sisters shoes?
Sisters often want shoes that still feel polished and current. That is understandable. The trick is choosing shoes that look good without sacrificing support.
The wrong cute shoe can cause real foot, ankle, knee, and hip problems or wear out quickly. Mission-ready Sister shoes should balance style, comfort, support, and daily wearability.
What about Elders shoes?
Elders need shoes that can handle walking, biking, weather, repeated wear, and regular polishing.
Look for durable materials, supportive insoles, traction, a comfortable fit, and a shoe rotation plan. Two qualifying pairs can also help protect the missionary with better rotation and guarantee value.
Build the right shoe rotation
Choose two or more mission-ready pairs, then add socks and shoe-care items that help keep feet comfortable from the MTC to your homecoming talk.