If the Shoe Fits…

When corns and calluses form, the real underlying problem is one of mechanics—the foot inside the shoe is not functioning properly. But poor-fitting shoes may precipitate the problem,” says Joseph C. D’Amico, D.P.M.

Here are some guidelines to getting a better fit:

• Have the salesclerk measure each foot twice before you buy any pair of shoes. Don’t ask for a certain size just because it’s the one you have always worn; the size of your feet changes as you grow older.
• Be sure to try on both the left and the right shoe. Stand during the fitting process, and check to see that there is adequate space ( three-eighths to one- half inch) for your longest toe at the end of each shoe. Remember, your longest toe may not be your big toe; in some people, the second toe extends the farthest. Likewise, your feet may not be the exact same size. If one foot is slightly larger than the other, buy the shoes for the larger foot and use padding, if necessary, for a better fit on the smaller foot.

• Make sure that the shoe fits snugly at the heel.
• Make sure the ball of your foot fits snugly into the widest part of the shoe—called the ball pocket.
• Shop for shoes at the end of the day, when your feet are likely to be slightly swollen.
• Walk around the store in the shoes to make sure they fit and feel right as you stride along.
• Don’t buy shoes that feel too tight, expecting them to stretch out. If they don’t feel right in the store, they will never fit comfortably. They should not need to be stretched.
• If you are not sure about the fit, check into the store’s refund policy. If possible, take the shoes home, wear them on a rug for an hour, and if they don’t feel good, take them back.
• When buying shoes for everyday use, look for ones with fairly low heels.
• Make sure the material of the upper is soft and pliable.
• Have several different pairs of shoes so that you do not wear the same pair day after day.

Alternating your shoes is a wise move, not only for your feet but for the shoes. You may discover, as most people do, that your left and right foot are not exactly the same size. Or you may have a high instep, a plump foot, or especially long toes. While these characteristics may make it somewhat difficult to step into every pair of shoes you try on, they do not mean that you must resign yourself to never finding a pair of shoes that fit. All it takes is a little time and the determination to walk in comfort.

One last reminder: Like Cinderella, who was the only one able to fit into the glass slipper, the person who buys a pair of shoes is the only one who should wear them.

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