Shoe sizing is one of those things that many people dismiss and don’t care that much about. But the truth is that picking the right shoe size can make or break your experience. The wrong shoe size can easily affect your comfort levels; you might not be able to walk properly as well. Plus, if the shoes are too small, they can lead to blisters and various types of skin damage.
That’s why you need to pay attention to the shoe size and ensure that you pick the right one. Doing that is crucial, and it can make a huge difference. Not only will it bring you exceptional results, but the value as a whole is going to be incredible. That’s why we highly recommend picking the right shoe size that fits your requirements.
What issues can appear if you’re not wearing the right shoe size?
Believe it or not, there are a variety of issues that can arise if you put on the wrong pair of shoes. One of the most prevalent problems comes in the form of ingrown toenails. These can appear if you wear smaller shoes. That makes the toenails grow inside the skin, and in a short amount of time, your skin will be infected.
However, that’s not all. If the shoe size is not ideal, your quality of life is decreasing. The reality is that your feet will get tired faster, and you will end up feeling less energetic. Many times, you might even end up feeling rather sad and unhappy, which can become a real issue in a situation like this.
Does the shoe size change over time?
Yes, the shoe size is not always going to stay the same. It’s a myth that once you become an adult, you retain the same shoe size. However, some things influence your shoe size even if you get older. In fact, when you age, the tendons relax, and your foot size will get wider. That means the shoe size will sometimes increase, even if it’s not as prevalent.
The same thing is valid when it comes to pregnancy, since a woman’s hormones will affect her shoe size due to constant swelling. Plus, there are other things to consider here, like having certain health issues and conditions. Those can be prevalent, and they might lead to a variety of problems. Addressing those can help quite a bit, and it will definitely eliminate many of the potential issues that arise.
How do you know you are wearing the right shoe size?
Thankfully, you can figure out if you’re wearing the wrong shoe size in a variety of ways. Generally, any type of discomfort or pain you experience while walking tends to be a sign that you have the wrong shoe size. Bruising on the toenail can also be a great indicator here, and the same thing can be said when it comes to calluses, blisters, or skin irritation around your foot. Toenail damage or loss can also mean you don’t have the wrong size, so try to consider that.
How can you pick the right shoe size?
Selecting the right shoe fit is something that does take quite a bit of trial and error. It’s not something that will be general for everyone since every person has their own specific foot issues and struggles. But there are a few things to keep in mind, as you will see below:
Have your feet measured, and then see in which shoe size slot is your measurement going towards.
You should always try to get measured at the end of the day, as that’s when your feet are the largest they can be during the day. And even then, you want to fit your shoes to the larger foot if you can.
Don’t think that your shoes will stretch overtime. Instead, they should have a proper fit when you actually buy them.
Of course, when you test the shoe, you want it to feel comfortable. If you feel any type of discomfort, that might be a sign the particular shoe size is not for you, and it’s a good idea to address that the best way that you can.
Another good idea is to stand and also try to walk around when you test the shoes. You want to look for things like rubbing your skin, chafing, or any problems like that. Also, your heel should be stable; you shouldn’t have any slip-and-slide situations that can sometimes arise from these things.
Selecting the right shoe size for kids: tips and tricks
When it comes to measuring shoe size for kids, that can become a bit tricky. There’s no one-size-fits-all for kids. That means you need to adequately measure their shoe size to ensure the utmost comfort. Otherwise, kids will end up with foot pain and they might not even develop their feet properly in the long run. Thankfully, there are a few things you can focus on.
A good idea is to have your toddler stand on a piece of paper. As he/she does that, you trace an outline of each foot using a pencil. The idea is to have this outline as a guide. Depending on the foot size, you will have a certain shoe size. If the foot size is 11.7 cm, the shoe size is 4.5 If the foot size is 14 cm however, then the shoe size is 7.
Ideally, you want to ensure that you measure the foot size at the end of the day. That’s when your child’s feet are usually wider, so you want to take that into consideration.
Of course, you also want to do a trial test just to ensure that everything is fine. A good rule of thumb here is to try and leave some space in the toe area, the shoes should be long enough so the toes can spread naturally and without feeling any sort of discomfort.
When you buy online, you can also buy a few pairs of different sizes, because your child’s feet will grow and what fits today might not fit in a week or a month.
Using a shoe size calculator where you input all the measurements can also be a great idea. You can find these online.
Some people also buy a variety of insoles that fit different foot sizes. That way, you just place the insole under your kid’s feet and see what fits him best.
These ideas can be a great starting point when you try to figure out the shoe size of your child. Of course, testing them out with your kid and seeing what shoes work best is always going to help. However, you do want to know how to measure your kid’s feet and what measurements are the most appropriate, that will always help!
Conclusion
You shouldn’t dismiss the importance of shoe sizing. The wrong shoes can end up leading to discomfort, and even various infections. That’s why you want to professionally measure your shoes and ensure you always wear comfortable, high-quality shoes. If you encounter any signs of discomfort, then that’s a clear sign you may have to switch to other shoes that are way easier to wear!
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