Shoe fitting tips
It’s important to remember that no footwear should ever cause you pain. If you experience any discomfort in the initial stages of buying or wearing in a new pair of shoes, then it is highly likely that they are ill-fitting. In particular, a common red flag is identifying relief when removing your shoes.
If you’ve made the decision to buy a new pair of shoes, I always recommend taking your own pair of socks with you. If you’re specifically buying sports shoes, I’d highly advise taking the specific socks you intend to wear while exercising as thickness and material can influence how your shoes fit and feel. If your last pair of shoes were a great success, I’d even recommend taking them with you so that you have your size, shape and brand on hand. Remember, you don’t have to constantly change footwear styles. If your footwear suits your activities and there’s no pain, it might be worth simply upgrading to the latest version to ensure you’re not wearing a worn-out pair of shoes. I am truly a big believer in if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it. Now let’s get into some footwear fitting advice.
When it comes to length, always accommodate for your longest toe. This is not always your big toe! Ideally 1.5cm or a thumbnail worth of space in front of your longest toe is the space you need at the end of your shoes to ensure appropriate length. If a footwear store offers to measure your feet, it is always best to measure before trying on as different brands can vary in sizing.
Let’s not forget width and depth as these are just important as length. When being fitted for footwear ensure that the widest part of your feet is not rubbing against the footwear to avoid discomfort. The widest part of everyone’s feet can differ and each foot can be shaped slightly differently. Depth is very important as it can cause repeated microtrauma to your toenails if toes are squished in your shoes.
Another tip is to account for swelling when it comes to choosing your footwear sizing and material. Although not everyone’s feet can become swollen, it is quite normal to experience mild swelling by the end of the day after a full day of activities.
It's important to ensure that you are wearing appropriate footwear based on your personal support requirements. If you are unsure about your foot type and the support required for your daily activities, a podiatrist can guide you in the right direction.
