Fit 401

The Stories Shoes Tell

 An examination of the shoes in your closet right now is the best help in selecting the style, size and last of a new pair of shoes, and in fitting the new ones as well. By reviewing the shoe, you learn how to quickly spot revealing clues that reflect your wearing habits and needs. There are six primary areas to check when evaluating your present shoes: sole, heel and counter, vamp, arch area, laces, and the shoe’s inside.

 Sole

•  Wear should be even on the sole across the ball of the foot. If wear shows forward of this, the shoe could be too short.

•  If a shoe is worn on the outside edge, it could mean the shoe is too narrow or could be an indication of supponation (leaning outward).

•  When wear shows on the inside edge, it could mean the shoe is too narrow or could be an indication of pronation (leaning inward).

•  When wear is concentrated in the center of the ball, it could be a sign of metatarsal arch problems.

•  If the toe if the shoe is turning up, the shoe may be too long.

• You should be able to draw a line across the widest part of your toe and see that all of the sole from that point to the toes is being used.

Heel and Counter

•   Normal wear should be at the outer rear.

•  If the wear pattern is found elsewhere, or if the wear seems excessive, it could be an indication of pronation or supination.

Vamp

•  In normal wear, the vamp will not have the excessive wrinkles or creases, nor will it have pronounced indications of each of the toes.

•   A shoe that is too wide has a tendency to develop large creases or folds across the vamp.

•  If you can see toe impressions on the vamp, the shoe could be too short or too narrow, or made on a last that isn’t of the appropriate foot     shape.

•  If you see impressions on the top of the shoe, watch for toe deformities.

•  A prominence at the inside ball of the shoe may indicate a foot with a bunion.

 Laces 

•  If the area between the laces is very narrow, it could indicate that the shoe is too wide or that you have a very thin midfoot.

•  If the area is very wide between the laces, the shoe could be too narrow or you may have a high instep.  

Inside the Shoe

• Reach inside the shoe and run your fingertip along the top of the toe box. If a groove is worn in the toe box roof, it is a sign that the shoe was fitted too short or that the shoe did not have adequate depth at the toe box.  Also, if possible, check where the toe impressions are on the sock liner: Is there adequate toe room?

• Look at wear on the entire sock lining. If no wear appears on the area under the arch, then you may have a high arch. Or if this area is heavily worn, then you could have a very flexible foot or an extremely low arch.

•  At the heel of the shoe, look for signs of leather discoloration that may be caused by blisters.

• Finally, look for indications of excessive perspiration. This may be caused by non-breathable upper material, or by soling material that is too heavy or warm for your foot. Heavy moisture can also be caused by shoes that are too tight, The tighter the shoe the more your foot will sweat. Also, check rotation habits and check for shoetree usage.

 big TIP: Your current shoes are a great teaching tool.