Alabama Thinsulate

How to determine your foot size ?

You have a foot size and not a shoe size. The distinction is fundamental when you’re purchasing a shoe since all manufacturers use a different foot form to manufacture their shoes. A size 38 or a size 9 will not be identical for every manufacturer and it will also vary between styles of the same manufacturer.

To make sure you have the best fit possible, we’ve created a guide to help you measure your foot. This guide is only a tool to help you determine what your ideal shoe size is, but don’t forget that the sizes vary and can never be taken at face value.

You’re not sure what’s your size? print out one of our guides to help you choose the size that is right for you. This guide exists to guide you, but sizes vary between manufacturers and styles.

Tips & Considerations

To avoid foot pains and problems, it is recommended to have footwear which is adapted to your foot. Shoes which are poorly fitted to your foot will only compound existing pains while being the original cause of pain. It’s important that your footwear be comfortable from the start.

It frequently happens that the footwear purchased is too small, which will cause cramps or numbness in the feet while walking or running. Maladjusted footwear can cause severe symptoms such as: calluses, bunions, hammertoes, and other common foot problems. For people suffering of severe conditions such as diabetes, it is even more important that your footwear be well adjusted, mainly allowing you to wiggle your toes.

There are many things to consider when purchasing footwear, principally the proper fitting and support. You could greatly benefit from getting your feet measured by an expert who understands the necessity of a proper fitting.

How to determine if your shoe fits well?

Consider these elements to determine if your shoe is properly fitted:

• Have your feet measured every year because it’s probable that they have aren’t the size and they may vary from a year to another (your feet are constantly changing).
• Always fit the larger foot. Adjustments can be done to the other shoe accordingly.
• When possible trying on a pair of shoes later in the day is better. This will determine if the fitting is adequate in case feet have swollen during the day.
• A shoe must have a minimum amount of space for your toes when you’re standing up. There should be between 1cm (3/8″) to 1.3 cm (1/2″) of space between your longest toe and the tip of the shoe (approximately the width of your thumb).
• The largest part of your feet should sit in the widest part of the shoe.
• If you feel too tight or loose in your shoes, that means the shoe is not properly adjusted to your feet.
• Your heel should sit comfortably in the shoe and with minimal slippage
• Walk around with the shoe to make sure it’s comfortable and make sure you don’t feel any pressure points from the seams.

Evaluating the footwear's support

There are many ways to determine if a shoe offers proper support, here are a few factors which could help you:

Heel Counter:
The heel counter is the rigid piece at the back of the footwear which controls the foot’s heel motion from side to side when you walk. A strong heel counter will offer better foot support.

Torsional Stability:

This checks for how easily the shoe twists. A show should always have some flexibility while maintaining a minimal level of rigidity. The torsional stability prevents the foot from being twisted or turned in motion. This allows a reduction in muscular fatigue due to muscular overcompensation. To validate the torsion stability, you have to take the heel and the toe of the shoe and twist them in opposing directions. If the torsion is difficult, then the shoe will provide a good support.

Midfoot Bend:

A shoe should not fold in the middle (where the arch region is), it should only bend at the ball of the foot where your foot naturally bends. If the shoe bends in the center, it will not provide adequate stability to the foot.

Removable Liners:

A shoe with removable liners is more versatile than a shoe that has a fixed liner. Removable liners allow orthopedic experts the possibility to modify a shoe and improve its fitting. A removable liner can also be replaced by a custom-made foot orthotic or a store sold device.