How Should Shoes Fit? Your Guide to Sneaker & Boot Sizing
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Wearing the right-sized shoes is super important for your foot health, everyday comfort, and performance. Shoes that don’t fit properly can cause blisters, ingrown toenails, and other foot-related problems, leaving you with some seriously achy feet. Incorrectly fitting shoes can also affect the overall development of your feet, which isn’t ideal – particularly for kids!
So, how can you tell if shoes are too big or too small, and what can you do about it? Our handy guide will tell you everything you need to know about how shoes should fit, including tips for trying on shoes.
Measuring Your Feet at Home
The first step is finding out what size feet you have. As an adult, even if you’re confident of your shoe size, you should always double-check every few years in case there have been any changes. This is because aging, weight fluctuations, pregnancy, and underlying health conditions can all impact the size of your feet.
This is even more relevant for kids, whose feet are constantly growing and changing during early development.
To measure your feet at home, all you will need is a tape measure or ruler and a pen or cellphone to record your results.
You can find a comprehensive step-by-step guide on how to measure your feet here.
Understanding Shoe Sizing
To make things a little tricky, sizing can often vary across brands and different shoe types. However, there are a few key principles to help you find the best fit.
Width options: Knowing your foot width helps you achieve a better fit. Sizes include Narrow, Medium/Standard, Wide, and Extra Wide.
Different sizing systems: There are various sizing systems worldwide, so you may need to convert between US, UK, and EU sizes. For example, a men’s size 9 in the US generally converts to an EU size 42.
True to size: When you see a shoe described as “true to size”, it means that it fits consistently with standard measurements, and there is no need for you to size up or down.
If you’ve already measured your feet, you can work out what size you are using our men’s and women’s fit guides.
How Should Sneakers Fit?
Sneakers should be slightly loose-fitting, with a thumb’s width of space between your longest toe and the front of the shoe. This is especially true for sneakers used for long-distance walking or running, as they need additional space to accommodate swelling.
Whether your sneakers are for activities or everyday wear, the heel should always feel secure to prevent slipping, and the midfoot should be snug without being restrictive.
While style is important (who doesn’t want sneakers that look good?), always prioritize overall comfort for day-to-day use.
How Should Boots Fit?
In most instances, boots should fit a little differently from sneakers. Firstly, they should feel snug around the instep and midfoot to provide stability, while allowing enough wiggle room for your toes.
Remember, with boots, you can often expect a small amount of discomfort and heel slip at first, as it can take time for the material to soften and mold to your feet. That’s why you should always plan for a break-in period.
At the start, and when trying on the boots, you may want to wear slightly thicker socks to give your feet more support.
Signs Your Shoes Don’t Fit
You tend to find out pretty quickly if your shoes are too big or too small. In the short term, you are likely to suffer from discomfort, while in the long term, you can expect to see visible wear patterns in unusual places.
From a comfort point of view, you may experience the following:
Pinching or pressure points: Focused around the toes or sides of the feet, this typically indicates cramped width or inadequate toe room.
Blisters: Found on the heels or toes; this suggests slipping or friction caused by shoes that are too loose or too tight.
Numbness or arch pain: Signals restricted circulation or poor support.
Excessive toe curling: Usually occurs when your feet aren’t stable in the shoes and are sliding around.
To avoid experiencing all of the above, make sure you spot the signs early and act on them. Life is too short for ill-fitting shoes, especially now that you know how shoes should fit perfectly!
Tips for Trying On Shoes
Not all shoes will fit the same – even if they’re supposedly your size. Different styles and designs can fit very differently, and shoe sizes can also vary by brand or store. To help you find your perfect pair, we’ve put together some top tips for finding the ideal fit:
Make sure you try both shoes on: Some people have one foot slightly larger than the other, so it’s always best to try on both shoes to get a sense of how comfortable they are on each foot. If one of your feet is bigger, choose your shoes in the larger size to avoid your toes becoming cramped.
Go shoe shopping in the afternoon: Did you know that your feet swell throughout the day? Later in the day, your feet tend to be at their largest, so the afternoon is the best time to try on a new pair of shoes.
Try walking up and down: To figure out if your new shoes fit nicely and comfortably, simply standing up in them isn’t going to be enough. A quick walk up and down the store (or around your house if you ordered online) is the best way to see how a pair of shoes fits.
Perfect-fitting shoes should feel snug, but not too tight or too loose. It’s normal to get a few blisters during the breaking-in stage. However, if you’re still experiencing discomfort after three to four weeks of wearing your shoes, then it’s probably best to exchange your shoes for a different size and get your feet measured properly.
Special Considerations for Kids
Shoe shopping for kids? As adults, we find it much easier to articulate how we’re feeling than our little ones. Kids might put up with uncomfortable or poorly fitting shoes without saying anything, so it’s always best to check how they feel for yourself.
The finger test is a great place to start when checking the fit of your child’s shoe, inserting a finger into the gap between the back of their heel and the back of the shoe. You can also ask your child whether they can wiggle their toes while wearing their shoes.
While you might be tempted to buy your kids slightly larger shoes that they can grow into, this isn’t necessarily the best idea. Shoes that are too big lack the support little feet need when they're on the move, so we’d recommend getting your child’s feet measured.
How Should Shoes Fit?: FAQs
Do shoes stretch?
Most shoes stretch slightly as they break in, which is perfectly normal and won’t affect your shoe size. Sneakers will only stretch a little bit, whereas leather boots might stretch more as they soften with wear. We suggest choosing a size that fits without overthinking the potential for stretching.
Should I size up for boots or sneakers?
Not necessarily. It all comes down to the size of your feet, both width and length. Sometimes runners will size up to account for swelling, while others may prefer slightly larger boots to pair with thick winter socks. Basically, it’s completely up to you, and is something you need to consider when trying on your shoes.
What if I’m between sizes?
Most brands will offer half sizes, which tend to cater to people who fall between sizes. Essentially, you should choose the size that causes minimal heel slippage and gives your toes enough wiggle room. Insoles, thicker socks, and tighter laces can make your shoes more fitted.
How often should I replace my shoes?
When you notice the cushioning is wearing down and you feel a lack of support, it might be time to replace your shoes. This deterioration is likely to lead to discomfort, which makes the decision for you. Boots tend to last longer than sneakers because people are usually more active in sneakers, which causes wear and tear.
What should I do if my feet are different sizes?
It’s perfectly normal for feet to be different sizes. We suggest choosing the larger size so that your smaller foot isn’t cramped. If one foot is smaller than the other, you could use insoles or heel grips to give it more support and restore balance.
Conclusion
Thanks to this guide on how shoes should fit, you’ll never have to worry about uncomfortable sneakers or boots ever again. Don’t put on a brave face the next time your brand-new shoes are too big or too small; simply return them in perfect condition and get a shoe size that actually fits.
Choose Clarks for the most extensive shoe collection in the business, with a vast selection of flawlessly fitting shoes for your feet. We’ve been around since 1825, so we know a thing or two about shoemaking.