How To Find The Right Shoe Size
10/20/2022
We get it, shoe sizing can be tricky. It can vary from brand to brand and your feet will likely change over time too.
Think of it this way. Your pair of skinny jeans may fit at first, but by the end of the day, you can’t wait to get them off. Unlike your go-to loose-fitting jeans that you could happily wear all day long. So when you’re buying shoes think about that extra wiggle room from the moment you try them on, because wearing shoes that don’t quite fit can be doing more harm than good.
Wearing ill-fitting footwear can negatively impact your foot health and function. It can contribute to the cause of many common foot problems including bunions, hammertoes, neuromas and plantar fasciitis. Take it from an expert, we sat down with one of our podiatrists, Alysha, to chat sizing.
“Women tend to have looser ligaments (also known as ligamentous laxity) meaning that their feet will easily squish into a smaller space. Over time, these loose ligaments allow our bones to shift and conform to the small space provided in our footwear, resulting in toe deformities such as bunions.”
The good news is that these issues can be prevented by getting the right fit.
That’s where we come in. We’ll show you step-by-step how to get the right shoe size and a few tips and tricks to ensure ultimate comfort.
How To Measure Your Feet
We’ve got our own, unique sizing so it’s important to check out the Women’s Size Guide before you make your first purchase.
Download the women’s measuring guide and print this on A4 paper at home.
Fold along the dotted line and place the chart on the ground against a wall.
Stand and place your foot against the wall.
Looking straight down, where your big toe ends is your Bared size.
TIP: It’s common to have one foot measure slightly bigger than the other. Select your size according to the bigger foot for optimal comfort.
Now you’ve found your size, let’s get the perfect fit.
Now you’re an expert and can shop for your next shoes with confidence. But if you’re ever in doubt, our amazing customer service team are a quick chat or phone call away.
Not sure where to start? See our new arrivals!
How to Check your Shoes Fit and Feel Good
We all have different shaped feet, and each style will fit everyone a little differently. But not to worry! Here are some handy tips to check that your shoes fit right and feel comfy.
You may be tempted to try your new shoes whilst sitting on the couch or at the end of your bed, however, this won’t give you an accurate fit. Your feet will elongate and spread out when standing, so we recommend doing this when trying on new shoes.
Our feet are made up of lots of joints that move together to absorb shock and move us forward when we walk. Being mobile, they change shape and elongate from sitting to standing. Shoes will feel looser when you try them seated, often resulting in the purchase of a size too small. The best way to check your shoe length is to push your heel to the back of the shoe, secure any laces or straps and stand up.
How to check the length will differ depending on the style of shoe you have gone for. Length is one thing we cannot change in a shoe, so let’s nail it! “Our big-toe plays a really important role when we walk. We need adequate upwards flexion (also known as dorsi-flexion) of the big-toe joint to allow smooth progression forward. When our big toe is compressed within a shoe, the range of motion is limited which results in an altered walking pattern. As most shoes taper in around the toe box, it’s really important to get the length right. If the shoe is too short, your toes will sit in the narrowest part of the shoe which can inhibit function. Additionally, shoes that are too short can result in rubbing on the top of your toes.” - Alysha, Podiatrist
Pointed-toe
If the words ‘pointed-toe’ normally make you cringe, then we’ve got a surprise for you. We add extra length to our pointed-toe styles so that your toes don’t end up squished in the narrow point of the shoe. Say goodbye to pinched toes! When you have your shoes on and fastened securely, stand up and check to see where your big toe ends. Your longest toe should end just before the shoe starts to taper (become narrower). By leaving plenty of wiggle room for your toes, you can walk in comfort all day long.
Rounded-toe
For a rounded-toe style, fasten your shoes and stand up. We recommend having a thumbs width of space between the end of your longest toe and the end of the shoe. If you can comfortably wiggle your toes then you’ve got the size right!
Space is ace, trust us! We’re used to being squished into most footwear so it’s normal for the right fit to feel roomy to begin with. A little extra room in a shoe is wonderful to promote good foot function and allow for swelling throughout the day (it happens to all of us!). You should be able to wiggle your toes and have just enough room to move your foot side to side within the shoe.
TIP: You can adjust the width of all our fully enclosed styles using the Fit Kit!