Proper Fit

Selecting a shoe that fits properly is critical. Yet 95% of consumers don’t wear shoes that fit properly. The reason? Fewer than 10% of shoe salespeople have even basic training in foot anatomy or shoe sizing. Shoes that don’t fit can cause a variety of problems from blisters, corns, and calluses, to foot, leg and back pain. At Allison’s Comfort Shoes & Boots we properly train our fitting specialist on fit and how to recognize the best shoe for your feet.

10 Tips for Proper Fit

  1. Sizes. may vary among shoe brands and styles. Don’t select shoes by the size marked inside the shoes. 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. Always have both of your feet measured. Most people have one foot larger than the other. Fit the largest foot.
  5. Fit at the end of the day when your feet are the largest.
  6. Stand during the fitting process and check that there is adequate space (3/8 to 1/2 inch) for your longest toe at the end of each shoe.
  7. Make sure the ball of your foot fits comfortably into the widest part of the shoe.
  8. Do not purchase shoes 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.

Did You Know?

  • According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, seventy-five percent of all Americans will develop a foot problem in their lifetime.
  • Approximately 88% of American women wear shoes that are too small for them.
  • The average American woman’s foot size is 8 wide, yet the best-selling shoe size is 7 1/2 medium.
  • Women have 4x as many foot problems as men, due largely to their choices in footwear.
  • Ill-fitting shoes are the main reason that women account for 90% of the “foot repair” surgery in the United States for common foot problems such as hammertoes, bunions, and neuromas. This surgery costs approximately $3.5 billion annually and results in 15 million lost workdays.
  • Fewer than 10% of shoe salespeople have had even basic training in foot anatomy or shoe sizing.

A Perfect Fit

Once you have determined the type of shoe you need – try a variety of models and brands to find the perfect fit. Each shoe model and make will have a slightly different shape, contour, forefoot width, and heel width. The following list will guide you to a perfect fit.

Shoe shape – Foot shape varies, some feet are relatively straight and others have a bit of a “C” curve to them. Pull the insole out of the shoe you are trying on, stand on it to see if it matches the outline of your foot.

Forefoot width – Some people are more comfortable with a snug fit while others like a little room to wiggle the toes. This is a preference issue; research has shown that it does not affect the mechanics.

Length – When you are standing and laced up there should be a little finger’s width gap between the longest toe and the end of the shoe.

Heel cup – Heels vary in their width so you will need to try on different shoes to find the brand or model that cradles your heel snuggly.