How to ensure proper shoe fit

Footech President

Jacques Martin, D.S.S., B.Sc., C.Ped.
President, Footech Inc., Certified Pedorthist

Poorly fitting shoes can cause a variety of foot problems. Mostly, this can be prevented by paying closer attention to the quality and proper fit of your footwear

10 tips for proper shoe fitting:

  1. Sizes vary among shoe brands and styles. Don’t select shoes by the size marked inside the shoe. Judge the shoe by how it fits on your foot.
  2. Select a shoe that conforms as nearly as possible to the shape of your foot.
  3. Have your feet measured regularly. The size of your feet changes as you grow older.
  4. Have BOTH feet measured. Most people have one foot larger than the other. Fit to the largest foot.
  5. Fit at the end of the day when your feet are largest.
  6. Stand during the fitting process and check that there is adequate space (1 cm) for your longest toe at the end of each shoe.
  7. Make sure the ball of your foot fits comfortably into the widest part (ball pocket) of the shoe.
  8. Don’t purchase shoe that feel too tight, expecting them to “stretch” to fit.
  9. Your heel should fit comfortably in the shoe with a minimum amount of slippage.
  10. Walk in the shoe to make sure it fits and feels right! (Fashionable shoes CAN be comfortable).

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