Shoe Fitting Guide
When fitting your shoes, you need to remember – all shoes are NOT created equal. A good shoe fit is imperative to get the greatest comfort. Therefore, you need to know how to fit your footwear to your foot’s size and shape.
These guidelines are provided by the WalkEZStore to help you pick the best shoe with the best fit for the best comfort. (Note: This information is based on U.S. sizes. Please refer to the conversion chart below for European and U.K. sizes.)
Tips to Know for Properly Fitted Shoes
The shoe industry does not have standard sizing. One company’s size 8 is another company’s size 7 or 9. Shoes are made from patterns that are used to cut the material from which the shoes are made. These materials are then formed over a last, a wooden or plastic representation of the shoes shape. While patterns and lasts can be uniform shapes and sizes, all feet are different.
Have you feet measured with a Brannock device. Shoe sizing charts on the web are inaccurate. Go to a store which has a Brannock device which is the best standard of foot measurement and measures:
- Toe length – the measurement from your heel to the longest toe.
- Arch length – the measurement from your heel to the ball joint (first metatarsal joint where your forefoot bends) of your foot.
- Foot width – the width across the ball of your foot from the first to the fifth metatarsal joints that determines how narrow or wide your shoe fit should be.
Try to find shoes that match the same shape of your feet.
- For slender, tapered feet – try a tapered toe-box shape.
- For broad feet – try a square toe-box shape.
- If toe length is longer than your arch length (which is rare), use your toe length measurement to size your shoes.
True shoe sizes can vary based on the type of shoe and the pattern.
- Most athletic shoes run small, anywhere from a ½ to 2 sizes.
- Dress shoes can vary. Some can run big while others run small.
- It depends on the pattern of the shoe and the pitch of the heel.
- Some patterns may be broad while others are narrow.
Choose your shoe size based on your arch length measurement for the best shoe fit. For most people, their arch length measurement is usually longer (larger number) than their toe length measurement on the Brannock device.
- Your first metatarsal joint or big toe joint will sit in the cradle of the shoe (the point of foot flexion and where the arch of the shoe ends and the forefoot shape begins). Check the placement of your first metatarsal joint when you are standing. The ball of your foot (the first metatarsal joint) will move slightly forward as your foot bears your weight.
- If your first metatarsal joint is forward of the cradle, try the next shoe size up.
- If your first metatarsal joint is sitting too far back of the cradle and is located in the arch area of the shoe, try the next shoe size down.
- If you have too much play in the toe box when the ball of your foot (the first metatarsal joint) is resting where it should be, in the cradle of the shoe, add a toe filler pad all the way in the bottom of the shoe’s toe box.
- These pads can be purchased at any store selling foot care products.
- Each pad should snug one-width fit. Add pads in layers until the foot is comfortably snug and you have lost the play or sloppy feel in the shoe.
- Never snug the fit too tightly since your forefoot needs good circulation for it to remain comfortable.
- Standard width measurements are:
- AAA, AA, AA, B, C, D, E, EE, EEE, EEEE, EEEEE, or EEEEEE.
- S for slim, N for narrow, M for medium, W for wide, and either WW or XW for doublewide. Larger widths are usually only used in therapeutic footwear for people with issues of severe Edema and deformities.
- If the shoe comes in a medium width only, adjust 1/2 size up for a wider fit or down for a narrower fit.
- Never sacrifice the proper length for a better width fit. The width can be altered; the length cannot.
- When a shoe size goes up in length, it also goes up in width.
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- If a shoe lists the width and you need to adjust your length size up, you will need to adjust the shoe’s width size down in order to remain at your width measurement. For example, a 9A is the same width as an 8-1/2B.
In Diagram A, the shoe does not flex at the point of foot flexion. This fit is too short and prevents proper arch fit.
In Diagram B, the breakpoint of the shoe cradles the foot and allows proper flexion. If the shoe is fitted properly, the foot is more secure within the shoe. This is where proper width fit becomes most important.
Checking for shear refers to the anterior/posterior, medial/lateral, and even/oblique parallel movement of sliding, gliding motion that produces stress or tissue tearing. This motion creates problems on the plantar surface of the foot.
- For shoes with removable existing insoles, place the ezWalker® Custom Orthotic under the removable insole.
- For shoes with stiff or non-removable existing insoles:
- Have the existing insole changed to a more pliable one, or
- Place the ezWalker® Custom Orthotic on top of the existing insole.
- Your comfort will depend on the construction of the existing insole.
- If you purchased an ezWalker® Custom Orthotic with a full-length top cover, take the existing insole out of the shoe and insert your ezWalker® Custom Orthotic in its place.
- If you purchased an ezWalker® Custom Orthotic for fashion or dance, simply place the orthotic in the shoe.
- Make sure the ezWalker® Custom Orthotic remains in the heel of your shoe as you put your shoe on.
- In some cases, you may need to secure your orthotics down with a small piece of Velcro.
Contact the WalkEZStore if you have trouble fitting your ezWalker® Custom Orthotic comfortably.
Shoe Sizing Chart
This information will help you become more knowledgeable and understand that sometimes the shoes that fit your eyes are not necessarily the ones that fit your feet. Comfort starts with a good fit and ends with a custom-fitted ezWalker® arch support from the Walkezstore.com.
