Are You Wearing the Right Shoe Size?

Sometimes the easiest solution is the best solution. Why complicate things?

One of the easiest and mostly overlooked places to look for a solution to foot pain is your shoe size. According to studies, about 72% of people aren’t wearing the right size for them. That is a lot of people for something that can be a really easy fix. 

Our feet change throughout our lifetime, so the shoes that fit you five years ago might not be the best choice today. 

Wearing shoes that are too big for you can be as detrimental as shoes that are too small.

Feet that move side to side or front to back in your shoes can lead to calluses, inflammation, and sometimes open sores. Shoes that rub can lead to an infection, an open sore, or even an amputation.

Loss of feeling in the feet from diabetes or other conditions makes it even more mission-critical to wear shoes that fit perfectly.

How to Get the Best Fit Every Time

1. Have your feet measured every time you purchase shoes 
   Our feet change without us noticing, so getting them measured every time you purchase a new pair is highly recommended.

2. Try on the shoes on both of your feet
   Don’t just try on the floor model on one foot and make your decision based on that fit. A lot of people’s feet aren’t exactly the same size, so you want to make sure that the shoe fits you well on both feet.
    
3. Take a stroll
   Walking around in the shoes for a bit can help you determine if the fit is right for you. You don’t want your feet to slip out, feel as though your toes don’t have enough room or sense discomfort on your ankle collar. Shoes do stretch out, but some things simply won’t change. So make sure the shoe fits comfortably from the start.
    
4. Wear the right socks
   Visit the shoe store armed with the right socks. If you would typically wear thicker socks with a particular type of shoe, make sure to bring those with you for an accurate fit instead of using the thin socks most shoe stores provide.
    
5. Try on shoes in the afternoon 
   Because your feet swell throughout the day, trying on shoes in the afternoon, when your feet are at their largest, will help you prevent buying a pair of shoes that might fit snugly in the mornings, but become too tight as the day goes on.
    
6. Try not to order shoes online 
   We know, it’s easier than ever to have shoes delivered to your door these days, but is that really the right approach for your feet? The short answer is, no, it’s not. Your foot health is too important to walk in ill-fitting shoes. But if you have to order shoes online, make sure you follow as many of the tips above wherever possible. 

Avoiding unnecessary foot pain can be as simple as wearing the right size shoes.

If you have foot pain that goes beyond your shoes, we are here to help you alleviate it.