Identifying and choosing the perfect shoes isn’t always an easy task for many. For one, you’d want to choose the best quality and stylish shoes, and also ensure they are a perfect fit. One should, therefore, have a pretty clear idea of what he/she wants before walking into any shop to buy shoes. The ideal shoe should not only fit well but also be comfortable. Try Pendleton Slippers for the perfect fit! Here are a few tips on how to choose the right shoe.
1. Ensure the heel and toe part keep their shape. Always try the shoes on to ensure they fit well. One way to do this, would be to check for any deformations due to the shoe being too small for your feet. It should maintain its original form and shape with your feet in. The heel also, must remain rigid- be sure to avoid soft heels as these do sag quickly.
2. Choose shoes based on your larger foot. As confusing as it may sound, most people have one foot slightly smaller than the other. That said, use your otherwise larger foot to try the different pairs of shoes you are interested in. If it fits well and comfortable, then the other foot will fit perfectly as well.
3. The shoes should be stable enough: The shoes ought to be firm and not wobbly. This is particularly important if shopping for high-heeled shoes. Try to put some pressure on the midfoot to see of the shoe caves in. Any shoe that slides back from your weight isn’t worth your money.
4. Check how flexible the sole is. Check the shoe’s sole flexibility by bending the toe parts towards each other. The sole should flex well without much effort, and flex back to its original shape quickly. Rigid and inflexible soles will only make it hard for your feet and joints to move freely, hence too confining. These could be tasking even when you try to walk a short distance.
5. They shouldn’t be restrictive. Never go for a shoe that it too restrictive, or if you have to force your feet to fit. Many people often make this mistake simply because they liked the shoe. Among other reasons, going for a restrictive (too tight) shoe will only bring problems with blood circulation around the feet, and degraded muscle function as well. Such shoes also lose their form factor and presentability pretty quickly.
6. Use a cut-out shape of your feet to determine the right shoe. You can use a construction sheet of paper to cut the outline of your feet, which can then be used when shopping for new shoes. You can use the cutouts to try the shoes you wish to buy instead. This is as long as the cutouts fit perfectly, and do not come out with bend edges.
7. Go shoe shopping late in the afternoon. Your feet will have expanded to their standard size by then. Some shoes may fit perfectly in the morning, only to feel too tight later in the day, hence the reason to shop for the same in the afternoon.
8. Check the insides of the shoe by hand: Use your hand to inspect the inside of the shoes to ensure the inner surface is soft, and the insoles easy to remove. A design flaw or human mistake might have left a sharp or rough seem that could be irritating to your feet.
9. Take a few steps in the new shoes before making the purchase. Be sure to do this on a solid surface to determine how comfortable they are.
10. Go for a maximum of 9.5cm height for high-heeled shoes. In addition to this, the distance between the heel and sole shouldn’t be less than 3 cm. A shorter length will only cause the shoes to be less stable to walk in and probably won’t support your weight.
11. Measure your feet every two years. This is because your feet might have grown broader and longer within that time. This is particularly important if you’ll be shopping for shoes online.
12. Ensure your feet don’t slide along the block (for high-heeled shoes). As you might have noticed already, your feet will start pushing along the block after having the shoes on for some time. One way to avoid the ‘slide’ is by ensuring the shoes fit perfectly, with your feet anchored correctly in place.
While fur-lined shoes might seem comfortable, the fur might be crushed over time, making the shoes seem larger than they initially were. Suede shoes, on the other hand, tend to wear in rather quickly. It would, therefore, be advisable to go for a tightly fitting suede shoe. Ensure there is a 1 -2cm space between your toes, and especially for shoes with an elongated toe part.