Wide Footwear

Importance of Extra Wide Shoes

What to do if your wide feet are also different sizes

Having feet of different sizes is surprisingly common, and it can sometimes be a little challenging to know what size pair of shoes to buy, or to know when you need to get mis-matched shoes. This guide is designed to offer an explanation of differing foot sizes and how to best compensate when buying shoes.

First, some size difference between your left foot and right foot is normal. Approximately 60% of the population have different foot sizes, with the left foot measuring larger in 4 out of 5 cases. This is because 4 out of 5 people are right handed, which naturally requires using your left leg and foot more than the right, leading to a slight variance in the size of the foot.

To deal with a half size, or one width difference, you will normally fit to the larger foot in oxfords. The definition of a true shoe size is that it will have one full size of length or space (3/8 of an inch) beyond the end of the toes. So if you have a difference of a half size, you would have the full size beyond the toes of the longest foot and a size and a half, 9/16 of an inch, beyond the end of the toes of the shorter foot. In other words, you will ignore the difference and fit the larger foot. This is usually true for all tie shoes, strap shoes and gym shoes.

To deal with open toe shoes and clogs, you generally want to fit to the shorter foot. Oxfords and other tie shoes can be formed to your foot by adjusting how tightly you tie the shoe, allowing you to adjust the fit down, but in open toe shoes and clogs, the shoe is often wedged on the foot. Consequently, if the size is too large, the shoe will remain loose with no way to compensate (i.e. laces). Also, you can expect open toe shoes and clogs to expand and loosen with use and should naturally adjust to the larger foot size. All of this means that when you first buy the shoes, the fit needs to be tighter which should be based on the smaller foot. When new, slip on shoes should be tight or at least snug on the instep of the foot. If loose in the beginning, the heels will slip and shoes drop away from the foot as the instep stretches. Another solution might be to fit the same length but go down one width, or fit to the larger foot and add an innersole inside the shoe of the smaller foot.

What if your feet are a full size different or more than one width different? There are many explanations why this could happen, including chronic diseases such diabetes. For a full size difference, you fit the size between the two feet. So you measure a 9 1/2 and a 10 1/2 on the other foot. We will pretend the intended shoe fits true. You would buy a size 10. Remember, a shoe that fits true has one full size of toe room beyond the end of the toes by definition. So a true 9 has toe room to a 10 on the measuring device. So your 10 would have a size and a half in front of the toes and a half size in front of the toes on the larger foot. If width is the issue, you may have to add an innersole in the shoe to compensate for the lack of volume of the smaller foot.

Once you get beyond a full size difference or more than one width difference, it is probably time to consider having each foot fitted separately. This is called having mis-mated shoes. There are not that many people who wear mis-mated shoe though more people should than do. The problem lies in that it costs more to buy mis-mated shoes because the manufacturer will not sell unpaired shoes. You need to either pay out the money to buy two pairs of shoes, or find a shoe store that will work with you. If you know exactly what size you need, this is where going online really helps as internet stores can generally be more flexible. For example, at www.shoeannex.com, if you give them a call, if you buy one size at the retail price, they will send you the other pair at cost, which on a quality pair of shoes, you are looking at only $30 more to have shoes that truly fit your feet.

Discussed are the best ways to compensate if you have differing foot sizes, but truly the best thing to do is have each foot fitted separately. You feet are very important and having the correct shoe size is crucial to improving energy throughout the day, maintaining posture, and preventing injury or chronic illness. Pay the little extra that it costs to fit both feet separately.