Shoe sizes--will this really work??

[johnniet]

I've always had wide feet, or so I thought. It's always been hard to get shoes that fit, and the ones that work best tend to be in a wide size.
Today I went to a shoe store I hadn't visited before. They seem to specialize in "comfort" shoes (lots of NAOT and SAS, even Ariats).
As far as I can tell, they think that my toes are too small. Let me explain.
Heel-to-toe, my feet are about a 10.5 (left a little bigger than right). But if you measure by the arch, i.e. based on where the ball of the foot is, my feet should be 11.5-12. And the width of my feet is about right for someone with regular size 11.5-12 feet.
So they suggested that I try to find a shoe that feel alright at size 11.5 or 12, and not worry about the extra toe room.
Has anyone ever tried this? Are these guys full of it, or should I try that? Won't my feet slip around if the overall length is too long? (I had to go around then, so I couldn't try on more pairs. Besides, I wanted to ask you guys about this.)

 

[Sundsvall]

They are probably right. It is generally good practice to buy shoes that are 1/2 size larger.

For work shoes, or exercise shoes, you want it 1 full size larger.

The reason for this is because the foot tends to swell a bit at the end of the day. Never buy boots that fit you perfectly, always get them bigger.

In your case, I would go up one size and go wide. There are alot of manufacturers that make wide size shoes. Sounds like you are a E or EE.

You will have to adjust the way you walk for a while to avoid the toe-drag that comes from the longer shoe.

Hope this helps.

 

[Crookshanks]

I don't know if I'd do that. I'm a size 12 with a rather narrow foot. I've never bought shoes that are even a half size larger, so I can't comment.
I remember one time when I was shopping for a pair of boots. The salesman measured my foot as a 12c, and brought out selections of boots. All of them were too wide. I must have tried on over a dozen pair, before I found a pair where my feet didn't start moving and the boot remained on the floor.

 

[grommit]

Judging only by your description, this should be worth a try.

The most critical shoe dimension (other than the amount of insulation required by the circumstances and puncture resistance) is the position of the ball of the foot, the location of the main shoe flex point, in relation to the heel.

The fixed point of the foot is the heel, and the arch and ball must be properly placed from there. If the part of your foot forward of that point is indeed shorter than the average (not at all impossible nor necessarily debilitating) then the shoe will not flex correctly nor support the arch correctly if the shoe is sized purly by total length. The width would also be mis-proportioned if this is true.

The foot should never be held in place by having the toes scrunched against the toe of the shoe. The shoe is held on by grasping the foot behind the heel and around the arch and ball areas. Therefore if you have shorter than average toes or even no toes the shoe must be sized based on the heel to ball dimension and any empty space in the forward compartment can either be ignored or used for gadget storage.

Some people would almost kill for that much free space to carry some little necessity. But seriously, if the extra length in front of the toes is a problem, then you need to go to some custom shoe manufacturer.

 

[archieblue]

I have pretty wide feet too. I wear a 14D or E. My advice to you my friend is to buy a pair of Chaco Sandals and never look back. If you HAVE to wear shoes.. Ecco makes the best bang for the buck... still pricey considering cheapos... but your feet will thank you. Next... I'd try on a pair of New Balance.