How to Find the Perfect Size Shoe

People often overlook how important a properly fitting shoe is. From standing to walking to running and more, our footwear is responsible for supporting our entire weight at every second of the day.

If you’re having any discomfort with your feet, the first thing you should ask yourself is, “Do my shoes fit right?” Because if they don’t, even just standing in the wrong shoes can have a negative impact on your long-term health.

In fact, experts say most people are wearing the wrong size shoe. Regularly measuring your feet isn’t just for growing kids. Many people’s feet change size in adulthood, either getting bigger or smaller. Foot size can change through weight gain, weight loss, aging, exercise, the amount we walk and also the kind of shoes we wear.
A shoe that is too small or too narrow can create bunions, while shoes that are too big can cause blisters from excess friction. For example, wearing a wide-width dress shoe when you have narrow feet can leave you in pain in just a few hours.

Furthermore, if you are buying shoes and hoping to “break them in” later, they probably aren’t the right shoes for you. Here are some ways to find your perfect fit:

4 Tips to Size Your Shoes Properly

1. Measure Your Feet at Night

Since feet tend to swell over the course of the day as they accumulate fluid from sitting or standing, it’s better to measure your foot at night for the most accurate measurement. In the morning, your feet will likely be smaller since you have been lying in bed for a considerable amount of time. Try shoes on after you have spent some time walking and going about your day, as that will increase the size you need.

Your foot may also become particularly wider throughout the day. For shoes that give or stretch less, like boots, you may want to take this into account. Instead, look for wide width boots or wide-width booties instead of less adaptable, narrower options.

Don’t disregard the fact that this could even happen with sneakers. Look for wide sneakers like the Star style from Taos. This comfortable, arch-supportive sneaker comes in a wide shoe size, so no matter how much your foot fluctuates over the day, you’ll be able to keep walking happily.

2. Measure Your Feet Every Time You Shop for New Shoes

 Measure your feet every time you buy a pair of shoes. As we mentioned, your feet can grow or shrink over time due to a variety of factors. You will also want to measure both feet, since they may be different sizes. In fact, most people’s left foot tends to be bigger than their right. If that is the case, you will want to buy a pair that accommodates the larger foot. 

Don’t forget to take into account the width of your foot, as this too can change over time. For example, heels will often run narrow. If you have a wide foot, you will want to specifically look for wide width heels or other styles of wide dress shoes, like leather wedges. Our Plim Soul Lux shoe is the perfect blend of dressy casual. This dressy sneaker option comes in a variety of wide shoe sizes for feet of all widths.

3. Add a Half Inch

Give yourself about half an inch of space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. Keep in mind that your longest toe may not be your big toe. For example, your second toe may be longer than your big toe.

4. Buy Wide-Width Shoes

Not everyone’s feet are the same width and that fact can sometimes be forgotten when trying to find the right pair of shoes. In fact, it’s estimated that 20% of the population has wider than “normal" feet.

The widest part of your foot should sit at the widest part of your shoe – this is usually the distance between the outer part of your big toe bone and the outer base of your pinky toe. If you tend to have wide feet, look for options that come in a wide shoe size. Don’t worry, you won’t have to sacrifice anything; not even style. 

There are wide width dress shoes, wide sneakers, wide width booties, and boots. There are even wide width clogs for women! The width of shoes is often overlooked and thought to have less variety, but clearly, there are fashionable options out there for all.