9 Tips for Finding the Perfect Shoe Fit

All too often during a footwear assessment, Podiatrists find that their clients are wearing ill-fitting footwear. Most commonly this is in the form of shoes one to two sizes too small. This can lead to a range of conditions including ingrown toenails, corns & calluses, blisters, nerve irritation (neuromas), bursitis and more. Below are 9 tips for checking the fit of your current footwear and also ensuring you achieve the perfect fit next time you go shoe shopping.

1.  Stand up in the shoes when assessing their fit or trying on a new pair.

2. The ‘Rule of Thumb’: When checking the length of the shoe, there should be the width of an adult thumb between your longest toe (not always the big toe) and the end of the shoe. This will ensure that your toes are not hitting the end of the shoe. As the width of most shoes taper off towards the end, this will also reduce the likelihood of the toes being squeezed together in the toe

3. The Pinch Test: To ensure adequate space for your toes within the shoe, try to pinch a portion of the material of the top of the shoe at the base of the toes. If you are unable to pinch any between your fingers, the shoe is likely too small and could be squeezing the toes

4. Try new shoes on later in the day: The feet naturally expand during the day, particularly with physical activity or in warmer In order for your shoes to be comfortable throughout the day, it is best to try them on at the end of the day when the feet are at their largest.

5. Try shoes on with the same type of socks you plan to wear: The last thing you want is to take the shoes home only to realise they just don’t quite fit the same as they did in the store.

6.  Don’t simply go by the shoe size as these can vary across different brands.

Which leads into tip number 7…

7. Have an in-store professional measure both of your feet. Most people have one foot larger than the other, so it is vital to have both feet measured every time you go shopping for a new pair of shoes. If there is a discrepancy in foot measurements, shoes should be fitted to the larger of the two.

8. Comfort is king. Avoid purchasing new shoes if they aren’t comfortable when trying them on for the first time. Shoes shouldn’t need to stretch or be ‘worn in’ before they are comfortable and the initial feel of a pair of shoes is a great indicator of individual suitability.

9.  Avoid buying shoes online UNLESS…

• It’s a footwear brand that you are very familiar with,
• You have tried the shoes on in a retail store prior to purchasing them online
• The website/company has an excellent returns policy

If you require an assessment of your footwear or are looking for general advice regarding the best footwear for you, book a Podiatry appointment by giving us a call on 5254 2668 or via our website.

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