|
Shoe Fitting Pointers
1. When trying on shoes, make sure
you're wearing the appropriate sock. For instance, if you're trying
on boots that you'd wear with heavy socks, don't try them on with
thin nylons.
2. The best time to try on shoes is usually at the end of the day,
when your feet are most swollen. However, don't abuse this rule of
thumb: if you've just completed a sightseeing tour which required 10
miles of walking, and that's not your typical exercise routine, then
by all means don't try on office heels that night! The point of
waiting until the end of the day is to make sure that the footwear
can fit you at your widest-- kind of a "worst case scenario" check.
3. The first shoe you try on should be for your larger foot. For
most people, their larger foot is the opposite from the hand they
write with. For example, if you're right handed, your left foot
might be bigger. Always fit the pair of shoes to this foot. Even
though there are about 20 separate parts to an average shoe, the
fact remains that they are mass-produced. It's up to you to
customize the fit-- a small heel pad, for instance, works wonders.
4. Stand up with your shoes on. Walk around a bit. You should be
able to wiggle your toes in the front of the shoe. For most
footwear, your toes will be able to touch the top of the shoe, but
there should be 3/8" to 1/2" of space between your longest toe and
the end of the shoe.
5. Don't buy shoes that are too tight. If you're at the point where
you're praying they will stretch to be comfortable, they probably
won't. It's true that soft leather and suede give slightly, molding
to your foot, but they will not dramatically increase in width or
length. There's a difference between a "snug", comfortable fit and a
"tight", uncomfortable fit. A few laps around a carpet should help
you decide how you feel.
|