Fitting Tips

At William’s Fashion-Shoes, our trained staff blends traditional techniques and state-of-the-art technology to find the best possible fit for any foot.

The Brannock Device, designed in 1927, is truly a staple in the footwear industry. It accurately measures heel-to-toe length, arch length, and width all at the same time.

The iStep by Aetrex, introduced in 2002, is part of the new wave of technology in shoe fitting. It too measures length and width, but also offers detailed imaging of pressure distribution throughout the foot. In combination, these measurements give a guideline and starting point in the fitting process. 

Here are some tips for a great fit:

• Shoe size may change as you age so always have your feet measured before buying shoes. The best time to measure your feet is at the end of the day when your feet are largest.
• Most of us have one foot that is larger than the other; fit your shoe to your larger foot.
• Don’t buy shoes by the size without trying them on first. The size marked inside the shoe may not fit you.
• Walk in the shoes to make sure they feel right.
• Choose a shoe that is shaped like your foot. Styles like high heels or pointed toes can hurt feet.
• Stand up when trying on shoes to make sure there is about ½ inch between your toe and the end of the shoe.
• Make sure the ball of your foot fits comfortably into the widest part of the shoe.
• Don’t buy shoes that feel too tight and hope that they will stretch.
• The heel of the shoe should not slide up and down on your heel when you walk.
• The upper part of the shoes should be made of a soft, bendable material to match the shape of your foot.
• Soles should give solid footing and not slip. Thick soles cushion your feet when walking on hard surfaces.
• Low-heeled shoes are more comfortable, safer, and less damaging than high-heeled shoes.

Source: National Institutes of Health—www.nih.gov

• Terms such as narrow, wide, regular, extra wide (and others) may be used by manufacturers to indicate a width size. These terms are not standardized.
• Shop at stores that provide service to their customers and have knowledgeable sales people. Getting properly fitted footwear takes more than picking a shoe off the shelf and having the sales associate ring up your sale.
• Be sure to have both feet measured. Many people have feet of different sizes. Fit to the larger of the two. Have your feet measured and fitted each time you purchase shoes. Your foot size changes with age, weight changes, and other factors.
• Have footwear fitted at a similar time as when you will be wearing the footwear. For daily footwear go when you’ve been on your feet all day your feet have expanded.
• Shoes don’t stretch. If they don’t feel right at the time of purchase they probably will never feel right.
• Correctly fitted footwear can prevent long term foot problems.
• Take time to fully lace and tie the shoe properly and walk around in the shoe at the time of try on.

Source: The Brannock Device Co., Inc.—www.brannock.com

Shoe Size Conversion chart