How to Know When Your Shoes Are Too Big
Shoes that are too big can lead to big problems. Fortunately, there are ways you can tell if your footwear is too big before buying things. And if you’ve bought them already, there are even some things you can do to help with the situation.
The first thing to do is get your feet properly sized. If possible, get this professional done in a store. The staff can use a measuring tool that you just have to step on. Alternatively, you can measure your foot at home. However, remember that shoe size only concerns itself with the length of the foot. Width and height aren’t factors. So if you have wide feet or high arches, you could have an issue.
Consequences
Getting properly sized footwear is very important. If you get shoes that are too large, you could get blisters and bunions. These would be painful. It might be easier to stumble and fall. Your shoes will be sliding back and forth and you won’t have the natural stride. Your walk will be awkward. If you’re doing an athletic competition, your performance will not be its best.
Easy Ways to Prevent While Shopping
When shoe shopping, don’t make it a rushed experience. Ideally, you’ll be wearing your shoes for years so it makes sense to invest some time. Try on a few different sizes rather than just one.
If possible, wear socks that you plan on wearing. For example, it won’t make sense if you’re wearing thick double layered socks for hiking when you usually wear thin athletic socks with sneakers.
If your shoes are only comfortable if the laces are extra tight, that means they’re too big. Get a smaller size or a different style.
The finger test works great. If you can fit more than one finger behind your heel when your toes are touching, the shoes are too large.
Remember, leather loosens up the more you wear it. If it’s already loose when you’re in the store, that’s not a good sign.
What Can You Do
It’s good to know these tips, but you might already have shoes that are too big. Or you might be a shopaholic who can’t resist buying a must-have pair that’s not a perfect fit. What can you do?
Heel grips are great and are available widely. You can find them not only in shoe stores and online but also in places like CVS. Insoles are similar and great for sneakers. Both are great for offering plenty of support. They’ll also cushion the impact when you’re walking on tough surfaces like pavement. They are soft pads that you put inside the sneaker. They’re usually made of foam, silicone or gel. Either option is relatively inexpensive.
That being said, it’s worth it to invest in a quality brand like Dr. Scholls. There are some cheap brands that don’t last long. You’ll probably be using the insoles or heel grips for awhile, so buy something that is quality.
If possible, try the insoles or heel grips before purchasing them in the store.
If you are short on money, you can use materials like tissue, rags, or toilet paper. Over time, this might be annoying to do and you could be better getting an insole or heel grip.
