Annandale Foot and Ankle Center
7540 Little River Turnpike
Annandale, VA 22003
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9 Things To Know About Choosing Shoes
1. Have shoes fitted at the end of the day because your feet have a tendency to swell as the day goes on.
2. You should have both your right and left foot size measured in a standing position whenever purchasing new shoes. The size of your feet often elongates as we age. Also, most of us have one foot slightly larger than the other. Therefore, it is usually recommended that you purchase the shoe size that fits the larger foot.
3. Make sure you pick shoes to try on that conform as closely as possible to the shape of your feet.
4. Be sure to wear your regular foot attire (socks or double socks, foot pads, arch supports, extra shoe inserts, heel cups and/or custom made orthotics) when doing this.
5. You should not have to force a shoe on. No pinching or squeezing should be necessary. The shoes should feel comfortable right away.
6. When trying them on for the first time, the heel should feel comfortable, fit closely but not too snugly. Your heel should not be able to come out of the back of the shoe when stepping in place or walking around.
7. While still standing check that you have about a thumb nail width (three-eighths to one-half inch) between the end of the shoe and the end of your longest toe. Wiggle your toes while doing this to see which the longest one is. It is not uncommon to have the second or even the third to be the longest. The toes should fit in the toe box area at the front of the shoes with enough room to allow free movement of all the toes without pressure on the ends, or in between them.
8. The ball of the foot should be located at the widest part of the shoe. There should be a pinch of material available (while standing) in the ball area of the shoe for a proper width fit. They should not be so snug that you cannot do this. The feet should not be bulging at the seams.
9. Put both shoes on and try walking on them to see how they feel. The actual action that the feet go through in the shoes can affect their comfort and the way the shoes fit.
