How Are Your Feet Measured?

For years Eric had been buying shoes sized 10 and a half or 11, medium width. During that same period, he was constantly bothered by both a corn on a hammertoe and an ingrown toenail on the left big toe. His podiatrist suggested that he have his feet measured by a professional shoe fitter. To Eric’s amazement, for comfort his size should have been 12 and a half, A width! “A” indicates a narrow foot. But are two linear measurements, length and width, enough to ensure a comfortable fit? How should you measure your feet?

A popular tool in some countries for assessing size is the Brannock device. (See photo.) This can be used to obtain three basic measurements: the overall length of the foot, the distance from the heel to the ball joint, and the ball width. But, of course, each foot has its own shape and volume. For that obvious reason, we try shoes on before we buy them. Herein can lie a trap. Have you ever had the experience of trying on shoes that you really like, only to find that they pinch slightly? “The shoes will stretch,” says the salesman. You buy them and begin to regret it a few days or weeks after you start wearing them. And there is the beginning of your next corn, ingrown toenail, or bunion!

“The purpose of measuring the foot is not, as supposed, to determine the precise shoe size required.” Why is that? Because shoe sizes can be affected by many factors, such as heel height, style, patterns, materials used, and brand. This is especially true today when footwear is being manufactured in so many countries with varying standards.

When your foot is measured, pull the toe of the sock or stocking forward so that the toes are not bent, resulting in a false reading.

How should you be measured​—seated or standing? “To measure with the customer seated is the lazy way.” It results in a false reading. Therefore, stand up to have your feet measured. Yes, both feet. Do not assume that the left foot is the larger. Measure both!

[Pictures on page 20]

The Brannock device