01 Dec Achieve More Foot Comfort With These Shoe Fitting Guidelines
Adult feet continue to change in size and BioPed’s Shoe Fitting Guidelines will help keep you comfortable as they do. Have you measured your feet recently? Contrary to popular belief, our shoe size continues to change as we age! Weight gain or loss, pregnancy and the effects of aging are all common causes for changes in the length and width of our feet. If you haven’t measured your feet in the last 12 months, you may be included in the nearly ⅓ of men and ½ of women wearing the wrong shoe size. Follow these tips from our Shoe Fitting Guidelines to find the most comfortable fit.
Picking the correct shoe size isn’t always easy!
When buying a size medium T-Shirt made by one brand and a size medium made by another, do you find they fit the same? Chances are, they don’t. Purchasing footwear is no different. Companies as well as countries often utilize different sizing systems and manufacturing processes which leads to a wide variation in sizing. The only way to know the most appropriate size of shoe for you is to try it on.
Do Inappropriate Shoe Sizes Have An Impact On My Feet?
An incorrect length or width of shoe most often affects your toes and heels. Bunions and bunionettes (a bunion of the 5th toe) are frequently caused by excess pressure from shoes that are too narrow. Conversely, shoes that are too long or too wide will cause your foot to move excessively in the shoe. This movement will lead to callous build-up as your foot attempts to protect itself when your foot slides in the shoe creating friction. Your muscles will also spend more effort trying to stabilize your foot leading to tired feet.
To ensure a properly fitting shoe, follow BioPed’s Best Fit Process:
- Have a Canadian Certified Pedorthists measure both of your feet utilizing a Brannock Device. This will be done both seated and standing and will give your Pedorthist an estimate of the length and width of shoe most appropriate for your feet.
- Where possible, remove the lining of the shoes and stand on them with both feet. Ensure the edges of your feet fit comfortably with-in the borders of the insole. Toes, heels, Bunnions and bunionettes should not protrude past the edges of the lining.
- The Thumb Test – With the shoe on the longest foot, check to ensure there is a half thumb’s width from the end of your longest toe to the end of the shoe or sandal.
- The Toe Wiggle Test – A shoe is the correct width and depth for you when you have enough space to wiggle your toes, but not so much so that a crease forms, or your foot slides from side to side.
- The Pinch Test – Using your thumb and forefinger, you should be able to gather a small amount of material along the area on the top of your shoe (over your toes). If you can’t gather any material, it’s too tight.
By following these Shoe Fitting Guidelines above, you can ensure that your new shoes have the best fit possible. Please visit your local BioPed Clinic to be fit by an EXPERT!
