Shoes are tricky things to get entirely right. While many of us are lucky to have average-sized and average-shaped feet, many others are not so lucky. Still, though, most shoes are created to fit an “average” model, and short of going to a professional shoe-fitter, there’s not much you can do about this. So, accounting for the natural variations in people’s feet, how should shoes fit?

Well, there’s no easy answer to the question of how shoes should fit. Many different variables define a well-fitting shoe. Luckily, we’ll go over all of these variables in the paragraphs below. By the end of it, you’ll have a good understanding of exactly how shoes should fit!

Types of Shoes

To make things even more challenging to understand, it’s essential to know that different types of shoes are meant to fit differently. Climbing shoes, for example, are designed to fit ultra-tightly to your feet, all for the sake of extra grip strength while climbing. Running shoes, as well, have a precise fit that’s meant to be different than an everyday shoe.

Not to mention, all these different types of shoes fit differently, too:

• Dress shoes
• Tennis shoes
• Sandals
• Loafers
• Boots

Add that to the different ways we wear running and sports shoes, and all you have is a lot of confusion! However, running shoes and climbing shoes are meant for specific situations, not everyday wear. As a result, in this article, we’ll primarily be focusing on everyday shoes like dress shoes, tennis shoes, and sandals.

Your feet are growing and changing all the time, too. Even if you think your feet have stopped changing – even if you’ve been the same shoe size for years – your feet could suddenly change in size or shape for any of several reasons.

Some of these reasons might be health-related. Things, like spraining your ankle, developing new callouses, breaking a toe, or even just spending less time exercising, can affect the way your foot is shaped. Other times, the growth is a little less explainable.

In any case, the first thing you should do before you purchase new shoes is to get your feet measured. If your foot size has changed, the next step is to buy shoes that fit you properly this time around or to get your existing shoes altered to another size. A professional cobbler can usually change the size of a shoe about a half size or so in either direction.

Additionally, keep in mind that your feet change size throughout the day, too! Your feet are at their largest in the evening and their smallest in the morning. As such, if you can get your feet measured at the end of the day, this is the ideal time to purchase well-fitting shoes.

Health Issues of Ill-Fitting Shoes

Ill-fitting shoes can cause all sorts of harmful health effects. Some of these can be temporary, but others can end up permanent. As such, it’s essential to be careful about purchasing well-fitting shoes as much as possible.

Some of the issues you’ll need to watch out for that can be caused by badly-fitting shoes include:

• Twisted, sprained, or broken ankles
• Hammertoes or mallet toes
• Ingrown toenails
• Blisters
• Calluses
• Corns
• Foot fungus

Ankle Injuries

When a pair of shoes fit too loosely, it has the potential to slide around on your foot. If you don’t land your foot on the ground correctly when walking, a shoe that’s just a little too large can quickly turn into a hazard. Not only can this permanently damage your ankles, but you can harm other areas of your body if you take a tumble, too.

While loose-fitting shoes are excellent for leisure activities (for the most part), always wear tightly-laced, well-fitting shoes during exercise and strenuous activities. Wearing well-fitting shoes all the time if you have a history of ankle injuries or if you’re on the clumsy side is a good idea, too.

Hammer Toes and Mallet Toes

Hammertoes and mallet toes are defects that come about when your toes are forced to maintain a position they’re not used to. This can be caused by too-small shoes, among other things. If your shoes are too small, your toes might end up crowded into an area that’s harmful to them. However, hammertoes can also be hereditary, and they carry age and gender-related risks, too. Older women, for example, are the most likely to develop hammertoes.

Ingrown Toenails

Ingrown toenails occur when your toes are crowded into an area too small for them – just like hammertoes and mallet toes. When your toenails get pressed against your toes, your nails could end up digging to the skin of your toes themselves. While many ingrown toenails can be remedied before they get too bad, some can require the help of a doctor to fix.

Ingrown toenails are incredibly painful, and once they start, they can return, even after they disappear. It’s best to avoid the circumstances that lead to ingrown toenails in the first place.

Blisters

Blisters come about from repeated friction against a surface over a short period of time. Most people will experience blisters for a short time after purchasing a new pair of shoes. No matter how well your new shoes fit, some blisters are just unavoidable until your feet get used to your new shoes.

However, well-fitting shoes can help alleviate recurring or severe blisters. Some shoe-sizing issues just can’t be fixed by breaking them in, and you’ll either be stuck with blisters or unwearable shoes.

Calluses

Calluses come about when an area of your foot is repeatedly subjected to friction in a particular area. Rather than creating a blister, your skin will eventually build up a callus where friction collects day after day. However, you may need to go through several blisters before your skin builds up enough calluses to prevent them.

Calluses aren’t an inherently bad side effect of wearing shoes. Our hands can create calluses, too, when we do things like playing an instrument or working with tools. However, excessive calluses can change the shape of your feet, and many people find them to be unsightly.

Corns

Corns are the less-pleasant alternative to calluses, and they tend to develop on the more tender areas of your feet. Calluses are typically robust and painless, but corns can be inflamed when they form. Corns are usually much smaller than calluses, and they don’t often develop on the weight-bearing areas of the foot.

Foot Fungus

Different types of foot fungus can come about from all sorts of different things. However, if your feet fit too snugly in your shoes, the chances are that they sweat a lot in there, also. Sweaty, dirty shoes that don’t air out well are much more likely to grow fungi that can spread to your feet.

There are many different types of foot fungi. Athlete’s foot is the most common, and it can spread from person to person, too. As such, it’s never a good idea to wear someone else’s shoes for this reason alone.

Athlete’s foot is a fungal rash that results in these symptoms:

• Pain
• Itchiness
• Burning sensations
• Wet, raw patches between the toes
• Foot odor

These symptoms can persist for several weeks without treatment. It can also spread to your hands if you don’t manage it carefully. However, Athlete’s foot isn’t the only foot fungus that can develop from ill-fitting shoes. Toenail fungus can come about from these unpleasant conditions, too.

Making Shoes Fit Properly

If you’re stuck with a pair of shoes that’s too large or too small; you may not be out of luck just yet. While even a professional shoe cobbler can’t work miracles, they may be able to shrink or enlarge your shoes by up to a full size. In many cases, the work of a shoe cobbler is much less than the cost of buying new shoes, so if you have a pair of shoes that you’re particularly attached to, it may be an option worth looking into.

Another option for shoes that are too large is to shrink them. Some shoe materials will shrink under certain conditions, though we always recommend trying this step carefully. You may damage your shoes by trying to shrink them if you’re not careful.

If you have shoes that don’t mean much to you or that are sturdy, it may be worth trying to put them through your clothes washer. Typically, a trip through the machine on hot is enough to shrink a pair of tennis shoes down a bit.

However, do bear in mind that a washing machine can permanently ruin some types of shoes. Never send leather shoes through the washing machine, for example.

If your shoes are too small, you have a few more options. One of the most reliable methods for stretching a pair of shoes is to use the “ice bag” technique. For this process, gather the following items:

• Several plastic zipper-locking bags
• Your shoes that need stretching
• Access to a freezer

To begin, fill each plastic bag with a little more water than you need to fill your shoes completely. Then, remove as much air as you can from the bags and zip them closed. Slide them into your shoes, making sure not to open or spill them in the process. Make sure the bags are snugly inside your boots and are in contact with all of the interior surfaces of the shoe.

When the water bags are secure, place your shoes in the freezer for up to eight hours, but no longer. Once you’re satisfied that the bags are frozen, remove your shoes from the freezer. You will likely need to wait for the ice bags to thaw before you can remove them from your shoes.

The reason why this method works so well is that water expands as it freezes. As such, if you fill your shoes with water, the water will push your shoes outwards as it freezes, forcing your shoe to stretch. While this method won’t produce miracle results, it might just be the extra bit you need for that perfect fit.

Read Also: Shoe Size Conversion

How Should Shoes Fit?

Your shoes should fit your feet snugly and without slipping off, but you should have plenty of room for your feet, both sideways and forwards. Your toes shouldn’t touch the ends of your shoes, and the balls of your feet shouldn’t be crushed between the walls of your shoes, either.

To begin, your ankle should be held relatively snugly inside your shoe. If the back of your foot slips more than about three-quarters of an inch when walking, it means your shoe is too loose. A small amount of slippage is natural and normal, but too much is the sign of a shoe that’s too large.

When you’re picking out your shoes, use its size as a guide only. While shoe sizes are an excellent way to get an idea of where to start, shoe sizes aren’t identical between brands or models. Instead, start at the size you think is right for the style of shoe in question, then move up or down in increments based on the fit.

If you can’t get a shoe that is both wide and long enough for your feet, you may need to enlist the help of a cobbler. Alternatively, you can move on to a different brand or shoe style and keep looking.

Your largest toe should have at least three-eights of an inch to one-half of an inch of space between its end and the end of your shoe. If you don’t have at least this much room, your toes will end up impacting the front end of your shoe when you walk or run. Leaving a decent (but not overly large) amount of space between the end of your toes and the end of your shoe is the best way to avoid this.

If your foot feels like it’s being constricted, you may need to look for a size labeled “WIDE.” Wide-sized shoes offer more room in them for people with broader feet, and it may be just the extra bit of space you need to fit comfortably in your shoes. However, wide sizes are not always available, and some wide sizes are broader than others. If one is not wide enough, then you may need to try a different brand or style.

If your feet aren’t quite the same size, always buy shoes to fit your larger foot. Some stores will allow you to buy a pair of shoes in mismatched sizes if your feet are significantly different. If this is the case, you may want to call around and find a store that will allow you to do this.

Never buy shoes, then expect them to stretch to fit later! While some shoe materials, such as leather, will relax a little bit over their lifetime, it’s never a good idea to purchase shoes with the intention of stretching them later. They may not stretch as much as you expect, and you could end up with a pair of shoes that’s too small down the line as a result.

If you can’t find the proper fit in shoe sizes available at the store – if, for example, you’re in-between shoe sizes – there are solutions for this, too. Different types of shoe insoles exist to correct the fit and feel of your shoes, though you should only use these as a last resort. Some of the varieties available include:

• Tongue pads
• Heel pads
• Full-foot insert
• Arch supports

The finger test is an excellent way to check and see if your new shoes fit your feet correctly. Do this by sliding your index finger between your ankle and the heel of your shoe. Your finger should fit snugly but easily inside. If you have wiggle room, go down half a size, and if you can’t slide your finger in at all, go up half a size.

Pay very, very close attention to how your shoes fit as you walk in them for the first time! You can put shoes back on the shelf before buying them, but if you purchase a pair of bad shoes and put off returning them, you could end up stuck with a couple of badly-fitting shoes. If you’re even a little bit unsure about the fit, try on other styles or sizes. Better yet, go home for the night and sleep before making your final decision.

While there are many technical aspects to the way that shoes should fit, the short answer is that they should be comfortable, yet snug. Shoes that slide off and flop around are unsafe, but shoes that are overly tight aren’t any good, either. The secret to answering how shoes should fit is to find the best medium for you between these two extremes.

After all, some people might prefer their shoes to be closer to the snug end of proper, while others might want a looser fit. As long as your shoes function well and feel comfortable to you, that’s good enough!

How Should Running Shoes Fit?

Running shoes are designed to fit a narrow range of foot types, and as you move from the middle of the distribution to either extreme, you will have problems with your shoes. You should choose a shoe that fits well at only one end of the spectrum:

If you have wide feet (highly flexible forefeet) and low arches, but not stubby toes, choose an “overpronation” model with lots of room in the forefoot. This lets your foot roll through its natural motion without jamming against internal supports. It will also give extra cushioning for those who need it.

If you have very narrow feet (low arch), thin calluses over the sole and long toes consider buying shoes for normal-to-low pronation. This helps keep your foot and the shoe’s internal support system aligned properly.

If you have a high arch with flexible feet, or if you run on the balls of your feet, choose a neutral-cushioned model that gives enough room in the forefoot to let your foot bend easily as it would in bare feet. (Very few shoes are made this way.)

Note: Even within any one pair of shoes there is usually some variability in fit from one individual to another. The recommendations above apply mainly when dealing with average male runners weighing up to 180 pounds (82 kilos). Women may need different models than those recommended because they typically weigh half as much as men do, have narrower heels and wider forefeet.

If you do not have a sales store near you that has a wide selection of models to try on, your best bet is to choose shoes without even trying them on. Look for something around the middle of the price range and with an adequate number of well-placed support features .

How Should Hiking Boots Fit?

Hiking boots should fit the same way running shoes do. The only difference is that the upper part of the boot is meant to flex with your foot as you walk. If it does not, blisters are sure to follow on your heel and/or big toe. This flex point can be near either end of the boot, depending on which manufacturer made the boot, so learn what works best for you if you try various brands.

What makes shoes comfortable?

It all comes down to three things: proper cushioning, a good arch or heel support system and a perfect fit.

1) Proper cushioning means enough room in both front and rear to allow your feet to roll through their natural motion without jamming or wrinkling against the sides of your shoes.

2) A good arch or heel support system has features evenly distributed to keep your foot and internal supports aligned properly.

3) And a perfect fit means just that: a shoe that fits so well you forget you even have it on, which is particularly easy if it feels like there’s no shoe at all!

How Should Cycling Shoes Fit?

Cycling shoes should fit well and feel comfortable. Cycling footwear is designed to be worn with normal socks, though a thin inner liner can help keep the inside of your shoe dry.

You need cycling shoes if you want pedals to clip into; that lets you put power directly into moving the bike forward without wasting effort on foot movement.

What makes cycling shoes comfortable?

The sole’s thickness determines how much cushioning there is between your feet and the pedal (the more it’s compressed, the more springy it becomes).

The area behind the ball of your foot or under your arch is also important; this part of your shoe can contact one or both pedals. This makes for a harder or softer ride – not necessarily better, just different – so try different models to see what you like best.

Your shoe should also have side clips or grooved straps that hold fast to the pedals so you don’t slip off when you hit a bump.

How Should Sandals Fit?

Sandals provide the perfect balance of comfort and easy motion. They should fit like a well-broken-in pair of running shoes, with ample room in the toe box for your toes to move naturally (or what you’d get by walking barefoot).

What makes sandals comfortable?

Wear sandals with minimal support features; that way your feet can be free to adjust themselves into their most natural positions. If you need extra cushioning, put on a pair of light hiking socks or thin inner liners before slipping on your sandals.

How do I measure my foot size? Simply use a tape measurer (or piece of string) and follow these simple steps:

1. Place an object beneath your foot, such as a book.

2. Trace around your foot.

3. Place a ruler (or piece of string) on one end of the traced line at the widest part

4. Measure how many inches it spans 5. That’s your foot size.

How Should Tennis Shoes Fit?

Tennis shoes should fit the same way running shoes do. The only difference is that, because you’re likely to spend more time standing on your feet than walking when playing tennis, cushioning becomes more important.

What makes tennis shoes comfortable?

Tennis shoe comfort comes down to three things: proper arch support, a good heel cup and a perfect fit.

1) A proper arch supports your foot’s arches and keeps them from collapsing inward or spreading outward.

2) A proper heel cup supports the natural spring of your step by keeping your ankle in line with the rest of your leg.

3) And a perfect fit means just that: a shoe that fits so well you forget you even have it on, which is particularly easy if it feels like there’s no shoe at all!

How Should Football Shoes Fit?

Your foot comprises your entire lower leg, from the heel to toes. The front part of your foot, the top and mid-foot, is called the forefoot.

Football players must react and move quickly so that they can change direction or retrieve a ball. Besides being light, their footwear also needs to provide a good grip so that they can change gears easily under hard acceleration.

In addition, their shoes need to be durable enough to withstand numerous tackles. This means that football shoes are built more heavily than running or tennis shoes .

Lastly, proper arch support is key in preventing injuries. Because many different types of movements are involved when playing football — forward sprints for attacking, the backward movement for defense — the footwear needs to be flexible .

Synthetic leather or synthetic suede upper is looser than a leather one. This allows the foot to bend and move more freely, which means your feet can get an extra inch of ground on every stride.

What makes football shoes comfortable?

They should be light enough not to weigh you down but durable enough not to wear out after a few uses. They should fit so well that they feel like an extension of your feet.

In addition, they need proper arch support because a large amount of jumping involved in playing football places greater stress on ankles and arches . Lastly , look for football boots with breathable linings, preferably sweat-wicking ones; this will help keep your feet cool and dry.

How Should Golf Shoes Fit?

Golfers are generally on their feet for several hours. This is why golf shoe comfort comes down to three things: cushioning, support and traction.

Cushioning ensures that you walk with a spring in your step because the technology is designed to absorb shock, which takes the strain off your joints.

In addition, golf shoes have a rubber outsole with strategically placed spikes to provide better traction on different surfaces. They’re also lightweight so that you can swing freely, although this does require an upper made of synthetic leather or synthetic suede instead of genuine leather for increased flexibility.

What makes golf shoes comfortable?

The right pair will feel like it’s not even there and they’ll give you the stability and traction for a steady, stable swing. The perfect pair will cradle your feet while keeping them supported so that injuries aren’t likely if you happen to stomp on something sharp in the rough.

How Should High Heels Fit?

Finding a pair of high heels that are both comfortable and stylish is no easy task! High heels have narrow pointed toes, which means they tend to be tighter than shoes with rounded toes.

They also have low arches — in some pairs, only the outer third of your foot is supported — so if the fit’s not right you’re likely to suffer from arch pain.

In addition, women who wear high heels on a regular basis develop permanent changes in their feet over time due to repeated injury. Among other things, this means that the shape of your heel will change and may even affect how your Achilles tendon functions (the tendon connecting your heel bone to your calf muscle).

Read Also: How to Keep Heels from Slipping Out of Shoes

What makes high heels comfortable?

A good pair should be stable enough to support you without tipping over, as well as flexible enough to move with your feet if you have to walk across a slippery floor. Heels also need to fit properly in order not to roll or pinch.

It’s important for the heel cup of your shoe to be snug around the back of the heel so that it doesn’t slip forward when you’re walking.

Ideally, there should be about one-half inch between your longest toe and the tip of the shoe (or point where your toes bend, which is commonly called “toe cleavage”).