When it comes to buying new shoes, finding options that make you look and feel like a million dollars is only part of the equation. It’s just as important to find shoes that really fit you well . You want footwear you can effortlessly live your life in—shoes that will keep you pain free all day.
However, finding shoes that fit well can be a little tricky. Keep the following tips in mind the next time you go shopping for footwear. You’ll be sure to wind up with new shoes you’ll love to wear day in and day out.
- Have your feet measured—both of them.
We all remember being measured for new shoes when we were children. There was always the exciting possibility that we had grown enough to go up a size or two! What most of us don’t realize is that our feet continue to grow and change over the years for a variety of reasons. Injury, pregnancy, lifestyle changes, and similar factors can all change the size of your foot.
If it’s been a while since the last time your feet were measured, it’s time to have it done again, especially if significant change has occurred in your life. Make sure you measure both feet! It’s common for one foot to be slightly bigger or wider than the other. Always buy shoes to fit the larger foot.
2. Understand that when you shop absolutely matters.
Your feet don’t just change as you age. They also change over the course of your day. In particular, they swell and grow larger. That said, you stand a better chance of scoring a great fit if you shop for shoes at the end of your day, especially if you just spent that day doing the same activity for which you’re buying the shoes.
Looking for a fantastic new pair of work boots? Stop by the shoe store after you’ve just completed a long, grueling day on the clock. That’s the best time to ascertain how a given pair will really feel after a full shift. In the market for a new pair of cross trainers? Evaluate your options on your way home after a full circuit at the gym.
Make sure you stand up in the shoes you pick and check to make sure there’s adequate space in the toe box as well. There should be at least half an inch between your longest toe and the end of the shoe.
3. Choose materials and brands carefully.
Even if you’ve got a pretty good read on your size, understand that sizes can vary from brand to brand and shoe to shoe. A size 6 sneaker may not fit you the same way as a high heel pump does.
Make it a point to know whether certain brands run big or small as far as size, especially if you’re shopping online. Make sure you understand the ways less flexible materials like denim or vinyl may fit differently from leather or suede, as well.
4. Rethink your idea of comfort.
If you’re like a lot of people, you probably grew up thinking you need to choose between style and comfort. For that reason, you may expect tennis shoes or slippers to be the epitome of comfort, but assume heels and offices shoes are painful, cramped, or uncomfortable almost by definition. Most issues of discomfort can be avoided by finding the right fit for your foot. Dress shoes, heels, and work shoes should be just as comfortable as casual options.
Go for dress shoes with block heels, wide toe boxes, and other features designed with comfort in mind. Select footwear that actually fits every part of your foot comfortably when you try them on. Don’t assume that too-tight shoes are going to stretch in time so that they fit better. These days, you have so many options at your disposal. Don’t settle for shoes that are uncomfortable ever again. Your feet deserve so much better!.
