How Should Shoes Fit? This Will Help You Settle Into Your Shoes

Wearing shoes that are a poor fit for your feet is not only bad for fashion but also the health of your feet, toes, ankles, and legs. Wearing shoes that are too tight can be quite suffocating and the excess moisture permits the breed of bacteria and fungi. It also causes ingrown toenails and other issues.

Therefore, trying on shoes when you go shopping is very necessary. The labels you see on shoes may differ because they vary with brands and countries. Moreover, the shoes you wear for different purposes fit differently. Wearing the right size for every shoe should not be trivialized.

This article answers your questions on how your shoes should fit. It will help you identify the right sizes when you go shoe shopping for yourself and the kids.

How Should Shoes Fit?

Your shoes should fit comfortably and perfectly. Think of it this way, your shoes and feet should be in a comfortable, mutual hug.

Wearing comfortable shoes makes walking easy and they are the best for feet care. Before you go shoe shopping, you should measure your feet even after you are sure of your shoe size.

Your feet are a part of your body and they are constantly growing. More so, at certain times of the day, the feet get bigger than they were in the morning. Everyone has a bigger foot; when buying shoes, you should first try out the shoes on your bigger foot before you try them on both feet.

In addition, while in the store, try walking in them (but gently) to see how well your feet do in the shoes. If the shoes didn’t fit at the store, they are not going to fit at home. And this is regardless of breaking into your shoes.

SEE: What Does M & W Mean In Shoe Size?

How Should Running Shoes Fit?

Running shoes that fit will always be about half a size bigger than your every day or fashion shoes. Your running shoes should snugly hug your feet and make you feel steady. The right running shoes should have enough room in them.

To be sure it’s not too much room, check to see if your feet are moving in the shoes while you walk or run. If they are, they’re a bad fit for sports. Also, your heels should feel steady against the back of the shoes to prevent slippage.

Additionally, the best time to shop for your running shoes is in the afternoon when your feet are bigger. This way, you can get shoes that fit properly for your morning drills. With your feet in the shoes, try to put a finger in between your heels and the shoe heel.

If the finger slides in without struggle and yet is not too loose, you’ve got perfect shoes. Also, check to see if your small toe rubs against the inside of the shoe. Most importantly, running shoes shouldn’t feel too loose or too tight.

SEE: How to Stop Shoes Rubbing the Back of Your Feet: Easy Hacks

How Should Shoes Fit a Toddler?

While parents may think they should buy larger shoes for their toddlers thinking they’ll grow in them, it’s not a good idea. Toddlers’ feet need all the comfort they can get as they get around on their feet. Therefore, you should buy shoes in their exact size.

To check if your toddler’s shoes fit well, press a thumb on the front of the shoe to make sure the child’s big toe isn’t up against the shoe. There should be a space of about half an inch between their toes and the shoe.

Also, you should check for the depth of the shoes. If the fabric feels too taut or too loose against the top of the child’s feet, it won’t make a perfect fit. Most importantly, don’t hope to break in a toddler’s shoes. If they don’t fit at the store, they won’t fit at home.

How Much Room Should Be In the Toe of a Shoe?

One error people tend to overlook is making sure that their toes touch the ends of their shoes; they don’t have to. When you try on new shoes, make sure there is room between your toes and the tip of the shoes.

The space between your longest toe and the tip of your shoe should be about the width of one finger. This should be room enough for you to wiggle your toes and prevent ingrown toenails.

How Should Shoes Fit at the Heel?

At the heels of your shoe, you should be able to comfortably slide in a finger between your heel and the heel of the shoe. Moreover, you should test to see if the ball of your foot perfectly fits the widest part of the shoe.

The heel of your shoes shouldn’t feel too tight or too loose. It should feel snug and without room for unnecessary heel slippage.

SEE: A List of Essential Shoes Every Man Must Own

How Can You Tell if Your Shoes Are Too Big?

To start with, your shoes are too big if they come off within short walking distance. Also, when you can feel your feet move or glide excessively inside your shoes, they are too big for you.

Walking in shoes that are too big is very discomforting. It makes you have to curl up your toes to grip the inside of the shoes when you walk. If you have to pull your shoelace extra tight for the shoes to fit, they are too big.

How Can You Make Big Shoes Fit?

If you already got big shoes, there are things you can do to get them to fit:

  • Fill up the extra space with paper
  • Wear multiple socks or use footies
  • Insert shoe insoles
  • Try ball of foot cushions
  • You can try shrinking the shoes by spraying water and leaving them to dry in the sun
  • Use heel strips
  • Take them to a professional cobbler to help adjust the length and width of the shoes

SEE: Get Rid of Shoe Creases With These Easy Hacks

How Can You Make Small Shoes Fit?

The tricks can help make those small shoes fit better:

  • Invest in shoe trees. Insert them in the shoes and leave them in overnight
  • Wear the shoes and walk in them when you’re in the house
  • Fill ziploc bags halfway with water and insert them in the shoes. Carefully place them in the freezer and allow them to freeze overnight. By the morning, the shoes will feel freer
  • Wear the shoes with thick socks and use the heat of a blow dryer to stretch the shoes
  • Invest in shoe stretchers like sprays

SEE: Stay in Trend With These Square Toe Shoes for Women

How to Measure Your Foot

  • The first to note is when you measure your feet. Measure them when they’re the biggest
  • Wear light socks before you start
  • Firmly place your feet on a plain sheet of paper
  • Then, mark the end of your heel and the top of your longest toe. Also, mark the opposite ends of the widest part of that foot
  • Afterward, trace out the outline of your foot. Do this for the other foot as well
  • Measure the length and width you marked
  • Make sure you record your measurements in inches and centimeters
  • Look for a shoe size chart and check for the dimensions that match yours
  • Most importantly, check for the unit of measurement, the brand that designed the chart (if applicable), and the country

SEE: Red Shoes Meaning And Symbolism

FAQs

Can you wear shoes a size bigger?

It’s okay to wear shoes that are a little bigger than your regular shoe size. However, this should not be above half a size and it applies to shoes like sneakers. Sneakers could be quite tight, so, wearing a bigger size will give room for your feet and prevent excessive swelling.

What happens if your shoes are too wide?

If your shoes are too wide, it doesn’t pose much of a hurt on your toes. To walk in wider shoes, you’ll have to curl your toes to grip the shoes while walking. This makes walking uncomfortable and could result in blisters. However, the blisters heal in quick time.

Why do your heels slip open in shoes?

Slippery and sweaty feet tend to slip out of shoes within short walking distance. Heel slippage could also happen if your shoes are bigger than your feet. The only damage this may cause is slips and falls. This is why wearing shoes that fit properly is necessary.

Conclusion

The first thing to note is that not all shoes will fit the same way. Shoes worn for some purposes, like for sports, will fit quite differently from how your fashion shoes fit. Trying on the shoes before you leave the store with them is extremely important.

In essence, shoes that fit make walking comfortable. They also help improve your standing and walking posture. If you get confused or you have specific feet concerns, you should speak with a podiatrist who can better advise you on what types and size of shoes to wear.

Thanks for reading.

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