10 Points of Proper Shoe Fit
Treat your feet right. They support you. You need to support them. Wear
shoes that fit.
Poorly fitting shoes can cause bunions, corns, calluses, hammertoes and
other foot problems. You can prevent some of these problems by paying
attention to how you select your new shoes. Here are some suggestions
on proper shoe fit from the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society,
the National Shoe Retailers Association, and the Pedorthic Footwear Association:
- Sizes vary among shoe brands and styles. Don't select shoes by the
size marked inside the shoe. Judge the shoe by how it fits on your foot.
- Select a shoe that conforms as nearly as possible to the shape of
your foot.
- Have your feet measured regularly. The size of your feet changes
as you grow older.
- Have BOTH feet measured. Most people have one foot larger than the
other. Fit to the largest foot.
- Fit at the end of the day when your feet are largest.
- Stand during the fitting process and check that there is adequate
space (3/8" to 1/2") for your longest toe at the end of each
shoe.
- Make sure the ball of your foot fits comfortably into the widest
part (ball pocket) of the shoe.
- Don't purchase shoes that feel too tight, expecting them to "stretch"
to fit.
- Your heel should fit comfortably in the shoe with a minimum amount
of slippage.
- Walk in the shoe to make sure it fits and feels right. (Fashionable
shoes CAN be comfortable!)
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