Believe it or not, one person can have two feet slightly different in size and shape. And even if yours seem identical, they don’t necessarily remain a constant size. Your feet can actually be different sizes at different times of the day. There are also more lasting changes: Most feet gradually widen with age, and sometimes women’s feet “grow” (because of muscle relaxation during pregnancy) after the birth of a child.
When shopping for shoes, it’s important to consider the time of day. The late afternoon or evening is ideal, as that’s when your feet are the biggest (they swell during the day). A knowledgeable salesperson can be a valuable asset in this process, guiding you in measuring both feet while you’re standing up and carefully considering the fit and walking comfort of each pair of shoes you try.
If you have wide feet, there’s no need to worry. Always inquire about the availability of wide-width options, even if the salesperson has measured your feet. Comfortable shoes have gained popularity and style, and shoe manufacturers are recognizing that not everyone has a medium-width foot. This diversity of options should instil hope and confidence in your quest for the perfect pair of shoes. There are two other contributors to your shoe “size” as well: The shape of your foot (how the shoe’s “upper” conforms to your foot) and the heel height that is best for you. It’s important to remember that high heels shift body weight onto the front of your feet, which may not be suitable for everyone. If you have excessively pronated (“flat”) feet, Achilles tendinitis, short calf muscles, or knee problems, however, shoes with a moderate heel may be more comfortable for you, because they lessen the pull on already-overstretched tendons and muscles. This knowledge will help you make informed decisions about your shoe purchases.
What To Avoid
• Stiletto heels, or any other heel higher than three inches, redistributes your body weight so that 90 per cent of it is on the front of your feet. This extraordinary pressure can create calluses on the foot ball and increase the pain of bunions, hammertoes, and corns. It also strains the muscles and tendons in the arch of the foot. And because these heels tend to have narrow points on the ground, they make maintaining your balance quite challenging and add to the danger of falling, turning, and spraining your ankle.
• Pointy-toe shoes squeeze the toes together, causing uncomfortable calluses and corns. Pointy shoes can also pressure ingrown toenails and bunions and increase the likelihood of hammertoes.
• Flats can be a problem for people with arch and Achilles tendon problems and anyone who wears them exclusively. Over time, your foot gets used to being pronated (flattened), and you may develop arch pain and tendinitis. Flats can be the staple of your shoe wardrobe but alternate them with shoes with moderate heels.
• Mules generally have a high heel, so you’re likely to have all the same problems as those mentioned above when too much pressure is placed on the front of the foot. But what distinguishes this style is the lack of heel support, increasing your chances of injury if your foot turns on the heel or slips out of the shoe.
• Platform shoes, popular in the 1970s, unfortunately come back in style periodically. Like high heels, they are so unstable that you can’t help but periodically turn your ankle, possibly causing muscle strain, a sprain, or even a fracture.
• Old shoes with worn-down heels or traction, flattened insoles, stretched-out uppers, or unravelling stitching can cause you to slip, strain your foot muscles, and lead to ankle sprains.
Key Factors
• The toe box, or area around your toes, should be roomy enough for your toes to rest comfortably. Too much room can allow feet to slide inside shoes, causing calluses and irritation. The more common problem is that the toe box is too tight. The toe box is probably your biggest shoe problem if you have wide feet. When standing, there should also be room in front of the toes, at least 3/8″ to 1/2″ between your longest toe and the front of the shoe. And there should be room above your toes to prevent the shoe from rubbing against them, causing corns. To test the above criteria, ensure you can wiggle your toes inside the toe box when standing.
• A shoe’s “upper”—the material on top of it—should conform to the shape of your foot. It should provide support but also “give” when your foot moves. Look for an upper made of a material that is not irritating or porous, allowing air into the shoe. Leather is more likely than vinyl to have these characteristics.
• The shoe should provide ample cushioning to absorb shock on foot bones and muscles each time you take a step. It would be best if you had such cushioning in three key areas: the arch, the front, where the ball of the footrests, and the heel, which normally supports 25 per cent of your body weight. If the insole material is also absorbent, it will help relieve heat inside shoes and prevent rashes and the spread of infection.
• Soles should provide adequate traction to prevent slipping on any surfaces where you expect to be wearing the shoes.
• Heels should ideally provide slight elevation (between 3/4″ and 1″) for the foot, whether there’s an actual heel or a sole thicker toward the back of the shoe. The counter, the shoe part that curves around the back of your heel- should be stiff enough to prevent ankle strains and sprains. The back of your foot should fit snugly into the heel of the shoe, not slide around inside it.