An introduction in to the complexities of choosing the correct fit.

Outline

Shopping for shoes online is not easy, in fact shopping for shoes is not easy period! Since you are here it is likely that performance is a critical issue in your choice of shoes, you want a balance between function, form and fit. If you don’t have these elements you risk reducing safety and satisfaction during use.

Your feet are made for walking

Feet come in a variety of configurations and do different things when we are at work, rest and play. Feet are dynamic, they stretch, shrink and change proportion right through the day. You can’t get away from it, feet fluctuate and given the tremendous flexibility of the foot, it is important that they are accommodated in a way that allows them to function as designed.

Feet are measured in barleycorns

Back in the 7th century the largest foot measured the equivalent of 39 barley corns end to end. They called it a ‘13’ and common sense dictated that a ‘12’ would be 38 barley corns, an ‘11’ 37 barleycorns.. you get the idea. A barleycorn just happens to be exactly 1/3 of an inch long so one inch covered 3 full sizes of shoe. It is a system primarily based on foot length (although sometimes also width) and if it were that simple there would be no problem. But there is a problem, most people have 3 dimensional feet and this is where the ‘last’ comes in.

Feet aren’t boring, they are 3 dimensional

A last is a 3D mould representing the shape of a foot. The last (often made of wood) is used to shape the shoe. Normally subsequent sizes are derived from a last ‘master’, for every size increase (or decrease) there should be a proportional change in the girth measurement at the ball of the foot (measured with a Brannock device). Each last has its own individual combination of measurements, and worse still sometimes sizes differ within a manufacturer range not to mention competing manufacturers!

Global feet

Manufacturers limit the range of shoes they make, some offer widths some don’t. In order to keep shoe sizing simple the linear measurements of foot length and width are generally used. This of course does not reflect the girth needed to properly accommodate the foot, so if you are blessed with full, fleshy feet, or have a very high instep you have a harder task finding a shoe size that fits.

Europe and Great Britain

The British system has 3 full sizes per inch whereas the European system has just .666 cm between each size, (roughly 4 sizes per inch). This higher accuracy removes much of the need for half sizes, but most often only one width is available. Also, since it is based on the length of the foot the system does not reflect gender.

Summary

Despite King Edwards barley standardisation never really took hold. In a perfect world you would know your size and be able to choose with confidence from a number of manufacturers, but unfortunately this is not so. So, you may be asking, how do these systems help me find a shoe that fits? Those little numbers and letters printed inside our shoes are only guides, with no industry or government standards shoe sizing provides only an indication of a particular last or shoe style. Our sizing chart is provided to compare different sizing systems. The greatest determining factor appears to be whether the manufacturer uses a last that is proportional to your foot (in all its 3 dimensional glory).

Shoe fitting tips

Wear the socks you generally wear walking while trying on the shoes.
Shoes should feel good when you put them on, don’t buy them thinking you will “wear them in.”

The correct size for walking shoes may be up to a size and a half larger than your normal shoes because your feet tend to swell while walking.

Try on shoes later in the day or right after walking so your feet will have swelled.

If you have wide or narrow feet, look for a brand that offers widths.

Run your fingers around the inside of a shoe to test for any manufacturing defects, rough spots or exposed stitching that may cause rubbing.

Just because you are a size 7 in one brand does not mean you will be a size 7 in another brand.