Size & Fit Guide
Size & Fit Guide
Everyone’s feet are unique. Our feet continue to change shape throughout life. Therefore, we recommend that your feet be measured whenever you purchase new shoes. Everyone has a foot size, not a shoe size. At Canadian Footwear we are proud to have a team of trained fitting specialists who are experts in size and fit.
1. Finding The Right Size, Fit & Support
- Always measure your feet. Your foot size and shape can change over time. We recommend you not rely on the fact that you’ve always worn a certain size.
- Measure your feet late in the afternoon when they are the largest. Your feet swell and settle if active during the day. You want to make sure your shoes fit comfortably throughout the day and not just when you head out of the house in the morning.
- Measure both feet when standing (weight bearing) and sitting. Measure your feet from the back of your heel to the longest toe. Measure your width across the widest part of the foot.You should measure the width of your feet when standing.
- Fit your shoes to the larger foot. Most people have one foot that is larger than the other, so make sure you measure BOTH feet. Adjustments can be made to your footwear to help fit the smaller foot.
- Don’t rely on the shoe size alone. Just like clothes, the size marked inside the shoe may fit different depending on the brand. Your shoe size is just a starting point in selecting the correct shoe.
- Check the width of the shoe. The ball of your foot (the widest part just before your toes begin) should fit comfortably in the widest part of the shoe.
- Check the depth of the shoe. The shoe should be deep enough to fit your toes, especially if you have hammertoes or other conditions. If the shoe’s toe box is too small, your toes will rub against the top of the shoe and you will get calluses or sores.
- Purchase footwear that matches the general shape of your foot. Don’t try to fit a square peg into a round hole.
- Check the space at the end of the shoe. Stand up and make sure there is about the width of your finger between your longest toe and the end of the shoe.
- Always wear the socks you intend on wearing when trying on shoes. A thicker sock will require a larger size shoe.
- Always stand and walk around in the shoes to see if they are comfortable and fit well They should not rub or chafe anywhere. Your heel should not slip or slide while walking. Make sure there are no pressure points from seams.
- Don’t rely on shoes stretching over time. They should fit well when you buy them.
- Shoes should have a comfortable snug fit but should not feel tight or binding.
2. How To Measure Your Feet
This is a quick and easy tool that will help you find your proper size and width. Print out one of our size guides and measure your feet before you order. The instructions are conveniently included on the document.
3. Sizing & Conversion
Shoe sizes can vary between shoe companies because of the lasts they use. A last is a form that a shoe is moulded around. Each company uses their own lasts and they may be different. A size 8 New Balance will not fit the same as a size 8 Nike. Shoe sizes will vary from each manufacturer. Most brands do their best to maintain consistency in fittings. This is often how people select their shoes. If the shoes are very comfortable, you probably will look to the brand first. Many companies source their footwear from different factories and different countries every year. At Canadian Footwear we monitor the consistency of fit and only carry footwear that we understand the fit of. You can trust our professional fitters both in person and online.
4. Find your Width
Canadian Footwear is proud to carry a variety of quality footwear brands that offer multiple width fittings. The likelihood of finding footwear that fits you perfectly is much greater when you wear brands that offer multiple width fittings. As with most things we wear, the correct width is as important as the correct length. (imagine buying a pair of blue jeans if they only had an inseam measurement and no waist measurement)
Here are the standard shoe widths you will find on most footwear:
Some brands may not use the above standardized widths and simply refer to their footwear as narrow, medium, wide etc... The key is to remember that in the end, the size and width written on the box doesn’t matter, it’s the FIT of shoe on your foot that matters! When choosing footwear, if you are undecided between sizes, you are better off to choose the larger size. It is much easier to adjust the fit of a bigger shoe with socks, insoles or a different lacing pattern than it is to try and make a short shoe longer.
5. Shoe Support
6. Additional Fit Factors
NORMAL ARCH (MEDIUM)
If the middle part of your arch is about half filled, this means you have a normal arch. Your arch naturally supports your body weight and pronates (rolls in) under a normal load. Look for shoes with firm midsoles. Most stability shoes and some neutral shoes will provide you with adequate support.
FLAT ARCH (LOW)
If you can see the entire bottom of your feet in the image, then you have flat feet. Often flat feet will over pronate and transfer the shock absorption into your ankles and legs. Your feet mighty not hurt as much as your ankles, knees, and hips. You will benefit from a straight last and a motion control shoe. Combining an orthotic with a stability shoe can also limit the strain on your body.
HIGH ARCH (HIGH)
If you are seeing very little of your footprint, you probably have high arches. High arches often cause pain on the joints and muscles in your feet. The flexibility in your feet will be limited. High arches may not absorb shock very well. High impact and jumping activities may cause pain. Added cushioning will certainly help. Neutral or stability shoes will compensate for the lack of flexibility in your feet.
- You'll know a shoe is the right size and width because the sides and heels of your feet align perfectly with the footbed.
- The heel rests squarely in the heel cup
- Your toes have 1/4" of space in the toe box so they are not bumping up against the shoe (which could lead to corns or calluses).
- If you're wearing a sandal, your foot does not hang over the sidewall
- If you're wearing a shoe, the side of your foot does not feel pinched or overly constricted.
- If the upper part of the shoe is made from a soft, breathable material, it will be more comfortable to wear for longer periods of time and less likely to cause rubbing or skin irritation.
- The upper part of the shoe should have laces or straps to hold the foot in place comfortably with activity.
- There should be some arch support in the shoe or in the insert inside the shoe. Many shoes can be made to fit better simply by removing the factory insert and replacing it with a high-quality off-the-shelf orthotic.
- Laces shoes are easier to fit and adjust to your specific needs. Shoes without laces cannot adjust for swelling variances and they are harder to keep on the feet, making your feet work harder.
7. FAQs
This might be Plantar Fasciitis or Heel Pain Syndrome. A Pedorthic assessment will reveal the cause. Proper strengthening and stretching will help to manage and limit the discomfort. Properly fitted footwear and orthotics can provide the redistribution of the pressures on the feet as well.
This could be fatigue or something that should be checked by a dermatologist. It could be a reaction to wearing the wrong size shoes and a blend of the wrong materials in your socks.
Not really. Good functional shoes will have removable insoles that can be enhanced or replaced, providing more arch support. You cannot create arches if you have flat feet.
Flat feet are often more flexible and require a more stable or motion-controlled shoe. A flat foot is often a flexible foot and requires more support for the ankles and legs.
Always fit the larger foot. This certainly should be addressed by a professional shoe fitter. If the difference is dramatic, you should consider buying split sizes.
Depending on how you care for your footwear will determine how long they should last. Removing the insoles daily helps. Balancing the heels helps. Quality footwear can last anywhere from one year to four years if maintained properly.
Footwear is only waterproof when the shoes are marked or tagged waterproof. Waterproof is usually an indication that a bladder or waterproof lining is in the shoe. Leathers are often treated to be water resistant. This does not mean that they are waterproof. Always ask the dealer for clarification.
If the shoes are stable and have rocker soles, you might experience relief in your back and knees. These should be fit by a professional shoe fitter.
There are different opinions on this subject. The important thing to do is to make sure the shoes fit properly. Always accommodate the bunion. Off-load all pressure.
Your shoes are like the tires on your car. Your feet swell up during the day. Feet must not move around inside the shoes. The 26 bones cannot function properly without proper support. Toes should be loose and free. The heel should always be placed firmly at the back of the shoe. Always tap your heel before lacing. Lacing too tight is just as bad as lacing too loose. Never double knot and turn your lace-ups into slip-ons.
We all should pronate when we walk. It is part of the walking cycle and serves to absorb shock and allow the body to propel forward. When we overpronate, we transfer the shock of absorption into our ankles and knees. Properly fitted footwear and orthotics can help control overpronation.
Our feet often give off an abnormal amount of moisture. This moisture gets absorbed into the insole. Taking the insoles out every day and allowing them to dry properly is very important and good for your health.