We pamper the arches while knowing almost nothing about them. The market place is hip deep with products & services offering a solution to the mysteries of the arches.
But, you insist, the foot obviously needs support to prevent weakening or breakdown of the arches because we stand & walk much of the time on hard ground surfaces. Include that among the myths. Hundreds of millions of people of the world habitually go shoeless. Most of their standing, walking & working is on hard ground surfaces. Yet, as surveys show, they have strong, healthy trouble-free feet & arches.
Some years ago a study was done on the feet of several hundred rickshaw men in Shanghai. The men trotted barefoot an average of 20 miles a day over cobble stone & paved streets, year after year. Rarely a foot or arch problem.
Many years ago all infants’ & children’s shoes were hi-tops to “support” the ankle & instep. But when the kids finally switched to low cuts, no mass breakdown of ankles occurred. Another myth faded into the shadows.
More in part 3 in Bonaventure tips.