Incorrectly Fitted Shoes
You may be wearing incorrectly fitted shoes and simply not be aware of this. Whatever the circumstance, here is how you can help to ensure your shoes fit correctly.
How do you know if your shoes fit correctly?
Here are some tips to help ensure your shoes fit correctly.
- Are you in pain? Pain is the most obvious signal that your shoes are ill-fitting – does taking your shoes off give you relief? This is your biggest clue!
- Is there enough space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe? Look for around 1.5 centimetres of space ideally. Remember, your big toe may not always be your longest toe.
- Have you tested a range of surfaces? Check how your shoes move with your feet when walking on carpet, tiled areas or other surfaces – your heels shouldn’t move inside your shoes on any surface.
- Have you looked at the widest part of the shoe? This should match where the ball of your foot sits, that is, the widest part just before your toes.
- Have you had your feet measured by a professional? Ideally have your feet measured before buying shoes – preferably at the end of the day, as this is when your feet are at their largest.
What ailments can be caused by incorrectly fitted shoes?
Ingrown toenails - compression of the skin that surrounds the toenail (sulcus) can cause the tissue to become inflamed or increase the curvature of the toenail that can cause it to place pressure upon the sulcus.
Heel pain – you may experience a deep ache or shooting pain in the heel
Bunions – can present as a swelling or deformity of the first and fifth joints of the big and 5th toe(s).
Blisters – can be caused by a range of reasons, but a friction blister is usually caused by tight shoes that create irritation through the foot rubbing against the shoe.
Metatarsalgia (common term used for numerous ailments of the forefoot including intermetatarsal bursitis, plantar plate injury, neuroma – this condition is when the ball of the foot becomes so inflamed it can be unbearable to stand or walk.
Corns and calluses – can be caused by continuous friction between the foot and the shoe, which is entirely preventable by wearing correctly fitted shoes.
Shoe width is crucial for comfort and fit, categorised by letters that indicate how narrow or wide a shoe is, with common widths ranging from A (narrow) to E (wide) and beyond.
Understanding Shoe Width Categories
Shoe widths are represented by letters, and the meaning of these letters can vary between men’s and women’s shoes. Here’s a breakdown of common width designations:
- AA: Extra Narrow (more common in women's shoes).
- A: Narrow (more common in women's shoes).
- B: Narrow to Standard for women.
- C: Slightly wider than B (less common).
- D: Medium width for men; wide for women.
- E: Wide (standard for men).
- EE: Extra wide.
- EEE: Extra extra wide.
Guide to choosing Athletic footwear
NEUTRAL (Shock absorption/cushioning)
ASIC
Pulse
Excite
Quantum
Cumulus
Nimbus
BROOKS
Glycerin
Ghost
Dyad
ON
Cloudance
HOKA
Mach Performance
Skyflow
Bondi
SAUCONY
Ride
Triumph
TOPPO
Ultrafly 5mm drop
NEW BALANCE
624
680
880
1080
MIZUNO
Wave Rider
Wave Sky
NIKE
Pegasus
Vomero
MILD MOTION CONTROL
ASIC
GT 1000
GT2000
BROOKS
Adrenaline
ADIDAS
Supernova
SAUCONY
Guide
HOKA
Clifton
MODERATE MOTION CONTROL
NEW BALANCE
Vongo
857
860
BROOKS
Addiction
SAUCONY
Omni
HOKA
Gaviota
Arashi
SAUCONY
Hurricane
NIKE
Zoom Structure
MIZUNO
Inspire
MIZUNO
Horizon
MAXIMUM SUPPORT/ MOTION CONTROL
ASIC
GT 4000
BROOKS
Beast (men)
Aerial (women)
SAUCONY
Omnii Walker
SAFETY BOOTS/ SHOES
Ergonix
2E-4E widths
Wide load
https://www.wideloadworkboots.com.au
(up to 6E width work boots)
Ascent Alpha 2
https://www.theathletesfoot.com.au/ascent-alpha-2-4e-mens-black.html
2E-4E widths