Studies have shown that up to 72% of adults are wearing shoes that don’t fit the length or width of their feet—you could be one of them. So, if you’re shopping for your next shoes, measure your feet to get the comfort and support you need.
Why pick one when you can have style and comfort? This guide will detail how to measure shoe size to guarantee a comfortable fit.
Importance of Proper Foot Measurement
When buying new shoes, picking the right size is crucial in maintaining foot comfort and health. Improperly fitting shoes place excess stress on your lower joints, legs, ankles, and feet, which can increase the risk of injuries, including:
- Blisters
- Bunions
- Ingrown nails
- Shin splints
- Arch pain
- Back pain
- Posture and balance problems
When your shoes are too big, tight, or lack proper support, they can contribute to or worsen existing problems like arthritis and knee, hip, feet, and ankle pain. Over time, this can limit your mobility and decrease your athletic performance.
If you experience foot pain or blistering, it may be a sign that you’re wearing the wrong shoe size. Let’s fix that.
Tools Needed for Measuring
The first step in determining your shoe size is to measure your feet. There are many ways to do this, but one essential technique to get an accurate measurement is by tracing your feet.
For this method, you’ll need:
- A piece of paper
- A pencil or pen
- Ruler or tape measure
- Tape (optional)
Once you’ve gathered these materials, find a flat, solid floor to get started.
Step-by-Step Guide to Measuring Feet
Tracing your feet is an easy method to determine the length and width of your feet. Here’s how to measure foot size:
- Place the piece of paper flat on the floor. Avoid carpet – a hard floor will keep the pencil lines straight for accurate results. You may tape the edges down to prevent the paper from shifting as you trace.
- If you plan to wear socks with your shoes, keep your socks on to measure how your foot fits into the shoe. If this measurement is for flip-flops or sandals, then remove your socks.
- Place one foot flat on the paper with your legs slightly bent so your shins align with your ankles. You can do this seated, crouching, or standing, but you may need a second hand to help you.
- Using your pencil or pen, trace the outline of your foot. Ensure the pencil is straight and touches your skin so the line doesn’t angle underneath your feet.
- Repeat this with your other foot. The size of your feet may vary, so it’s important to gather two measurements to ensure the proper fit for both.
- Mark the longest and widest part of your outline. For length, that’s likely the top of your big toe to the outermost part of the heel. For width, mark the widest part of your forefoot (just below the toes).
- Grab your ruler or tape measure to measure the distance between the lines on your feet’s longest and widest parts. Write down the numbers in inches and centimeters, as each measuring chart may differ.
Foot size can fluctuate due to age, weight, medications, pregnancy, and other health conditions, so it’s worth re-measuring your feet every few years or whenever you purchase new shoes.
Helpful Measuring Tips
Several factors can affect your foot measurements and the way your shoes fit. To get the best results, follow these measuring tips:
- Double-check your measurements – Take multiple measurements to ensure your numbers are accurate.
- Accommodate the larger foot – Most people have different-sized feet. If this is the case, fit your shoe to the larger foot.
- Measure in the evening – Walking increases blood circulation, causing your feet to swell throughout the day. Measuring your feet later in the day is beneficial, as measuring in the mornings may result in shoes that are too tight.
- Seek immediate comfort – Your shoes should feel comfortable when you try them on. Needing to “break them in” may mean the shoe is ill-fitting and could cause pain and blistering.
- Leave room at the toe – To accommodate foot swelling, there should be about half an inch (about a thumb’s width) of room between your longest toe and the end of the shoe.
- Wear the right socks – Wear the socks you plan to wear with your shoes, as the thickness will impact your measurements. Socks for boots will likely be thicker than socks for sneakers.
Once you’re sure you’ve recorded your accurate measurements, it’s time to determine what that means for your shoes.
Interpreting Your Measurements
Many brands include sizing charts to refer to as you determine your shoe size. While many of these guides follow roughly the same measurements, it’s helpful to double-check every time you’re purchasing a new shoe.
Sizing charts generally include measurements that reflect the length of the footbed (or the shoe’s inner space). These measurements, in inches or centimeters, are paired with their corresponding shoe sizes.
Refer to our Sizing Guide to help you get started.
However, if you find yourself needing to convert sizes without a reference, try to remember that a men’s size 11 (US) fits 11”. Women’s sizes don’t have quite the same 1:1, but a women’s size 6 (US) flips to fit 9”.
Just remember to add about 0.6 inches (or 1.5 centimeters) to your initial measurement for appropriate sizing! This will provide that space at the toe to allow your feet room to move and fluctuate throughout the day.
Selecting the Right Shoe Size
As you select your shoes, remember that many options come in whole and half sizes. If you’re between sizes or have wide feet, sizing up may provide more length and width for a comfortable fit.
Many shoes also offer wide-width shoes to accommodate wider feet. Wide-width shoes tend to be 0.25 inches wider than standard-width footwear. Choosing wider shoes provides a roomier feel, allowing your feet and toes to breathe.
When you try on shoes, walk around and observe how your feet and ankles move with the shoe to ensure a comfortable fit.
Measuring Differences Between Men and Women
Suppose you wear women’s sizes but prefer the look and feel of men’s shoes, or vice versa. In that case, there are a few key characteristics to consider before purchasing. Women’s feet are not just smaller versions of men’s, but anatomical differences exist between the two.
- Men’s feet – Men’s feet tend to be longer and broader, especially at the big toe and the ball of the foot, allowing for an even distribution of pressure across the feet.
- Women’s feet – Women’s feet tend to have higher arches, a higher Achilles tendon, and are more curved on the inside of the foot. Women are also more likely to roll their feet inwards, so arch support may be necessary.
The difference between men’s and women’s shoes tends to be about 1.5 sizes. This means if you wear a size 7 in women’s, you should pick a 5.5 in men’s.
How to Choose the Right Footwear
Picking the right shoes can be daunting, especially when trying to get the sizing just right. Whether for casual outings or heading to the gym, you deserve to feel comfortable and confident in your shoes.
Now that you have accurate foot measurements, it’s time to pull out that sizing chart and explore your shoe options. We’ll help you get started.
Uptown Loafer
Loafers are classy, versatile shoes for formal and casual occasions like dinners, parties, and dates. Both the women’s Uptown Loafer and the men’s Thompson Slip On Loafer feature a cushioned, shock-absorbing footbed, a flexible sole, and arch support.
Walk Max Lace Up Sneaker
To find a comfortable walking shoe, begin your search with the Walk Max Lace Up Sneaker. This sneaker is breathable, provides sturdy arch support, and is available in both men’s and women’s sizes to ensure a proper fit for everyone.
Rejuvenate Recovery Sandal
Recovery shoes support your feet and legs after rigorous physical activity. They provide shock-absorbing footbeds that massage your feet, potentially aiding faster recovery and pain relief.
The Rejuvenate Recovery Sandal is truly for anyone. It is offered in unisex sizing and includes a deep heel cup, a textured footbed, and tons of relieving cushion.
Choose the Right Footwear with Vionic
Too often, we sacrifice comfort for fashion, but that doesn’t have to be the case. By properly measuring your feet, you can navigate the world of men’s and women’s styles to find the perfect shoe for you.
Vionic is the pinnacle of support-meets-style, offering a catalog of fashionable shoes with bio-mechanically engineered footbeds that provide stability, arch support, cushioning, and flexibility.
Not only will the right-fitting shoe prevent painful blisters—Vionic’s supportive shoes can help align your legs for sweet joint relief. Check out Orthotic Insoles Explained: Understanding Their Importance on Foot Health to learn more about orthotic footbeds and relieving joint pain.
Sources:
Better Health Channel. Choosing the right shoe. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/Choosing-the-right-shoe
Journal of Foot and Ankle Research. Incorrectly fitted footwear, foot pain and foot disorders: a systematic search and narrative review of the literature. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6064070/
National Library of Medicine. Gender differences in adult foot shape: implications for shoe design. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11283437/