Any person afflicted with painful, aching feet may benefit from using corrective footwear, as it can help alleviate the problem. A variety of different types of corrective footwear exist for a variety of foot problems. For the elderly, corrective footwear may include heel stabilizers, arch support, and easy shoe closure with minimal lacing.

Children with foot difficulties may also benefit from using corrective footwear. As a child begins learning to walk, cases of pigeon toe and flat foot can become evident, and corrective shoes can help to remedy these problems. Typically children do not require custom orthotics, appliances designed to straighten, support, or improve the function of a specific part of the body until the age of six and only then in the event that a normal arch is not developing, or if a case of pigeon toe persists.

In these instances, a custom corrective shoe design with specially tailored orthotic support may improve the child's running performance and gait significantly. When searching for the right corrective shoe, it is important to identify the problem accurately.

There are several general guidelines to keep in mind when buying corrective shoes:

First of all, one should avoid raised heels in order to prevent cramping and potential deformity in the toe area, ensure adequate distribution of weight across the foot, and to promote good posture.

A flexible sole is also important, as stiff soles impede movement and stunt the development of healthy foot mobility and strength, particularly in children.

Nonslip soles are also ideal, as they help to reduce the chance of falling and becoming injured.
Ample toe room is essential, as corrective shoes that are too large can slip, and shoes that are too small can of course constrain the foot, often in painful ways. A good rule of thumb is to measure the width of one finger from the tip of the big toe to the wall of the
shoe.

A porous, lightweight upper part of the shoe is requisite as well. The foot needs to be able to breathe so that any infection can be avoided, and lightweight material tends to be much more comfortable for the wearer