Generally speaking, there should be about one finger's width of space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. Another way to check this is to slip a finger between the heel of your foot and the heel of your shoe. There should be just enough space for your finger to fit nice and snugly.
As we all know, if you wear a shoe that is too tight it will hurt your feet and lead to foot ailments, such as blisters, bunions and calluses. But wearing a shoe that is too big will cause us to walk in an unnatural and dysfunctional way. This can lead to serious foot problems.
There should be about half an inch between the end of your longest toe and the front of the shoe. If you have small hands, this is about the size of the tip of your index finger. If you have large hands, it's about the size of the tip of your pinky finger. For many people the big toe is the longest.
A half-size represents a 1/8” difference. It may not seem significant but is enough to distinguish between comfort and discomfort. Because there is no standardisation for shoe sizing, a half size difference will also depend on the brand of shoe. With some makes, a half size will be more significant than others.
If you're unsure about what size to get, it's always better to go with the smaller size. You can always add an insole or a thicker sock if needed, but it's much harder to make a shoe that's too big fit properly.
If your shoe is too tight, you may have blisters, numbness and general discomfort; to avoid this, many experts recommend buying a running shoe half a size larger. According to Runner's World, “You may think you know your size, but it's best to get your feet measured each time you buy new shoes.
As a rule of thumb (or toe), you should have about 3/8″ to 1/2″ of room from the tip of your longest toe to the end of the shoe. Your big toe is not automatically your longest toe. Pick the shoes that match your foot shape.
When you measure your foot for shoe size, add about 0.6 inches (or 1.5 centimeters) to the length. If you're between sizes, we recommend going up. As you can see, the difference of one whole size is only about a half-inch (less than 1 centimeter).
Insoles are your new best friend
Although often intended to help with posture problems and other discomfort, insoles are also useful to make shoes smaller by taking up extra space in footwear that's a tad on the big side. Full insoles are a fantastic solution if your shoes are too big across the length of your foot.
There is approximately a 1/6" difference between each half-size (e.g., between 9 and 9.5, between a 9.5 and a 10, and so on) For every half size up, the width (across the ball) will increase by 1/8"
Signs that your shoes are too big
Shoes that are too big may likewise give you blisters caused by the friction of your foot moving around. If your shoes are too big in length, you might notice your foot sliding backwards and forwards, while shoes that are too wide will cause your feet to slide from side to side.
A wide toe-spread is a clear visual sign your feet are most likely in proper healthy, functional condition. Especially if the big toe isn't folded inwards (towards 2nd toe) but points forward in a straight line from the heel (hallux angle). A wide toe-spread, means a bigger thus better base of support.
While most shoes will stretch and mold to fit your feet over time, many can be manually stretched. Leather shoes are easiest to stretch, but most fabrics and materials can also be stretched.
Without debate, by far the riskiest part of wearing shoes that are too loose is increasing your risk of various foot and ankle injuries. Whether it is jamming your toe or spraining an ankle, loose shoes aren't worth it.
If you're trying on a shoe you plan to wear all day long, judge the fit at the end of the day when your feet are fully expanded. A half size in shoes is only 1/8 of an inch in added length. Shoes size can vary for many reasons, from sports injuries to weight gain and age.
When your foot bends to take a step in a new shoe, your heels should slip slightly. 1/8” movement is normal but can feel like much more. Loose slipping in the heels will not cause blisters when broken in gradually, but wearing shoes that are too small and tight will cause friction and then blister.
If you would like to shrink your shoes down a size, dampen them with water and place them into the dryer on tumble dry high. The heat generated by the dryer could possible shrink your canvas shoe by up to one size.
SIZE = 1.5 x (foot length in cm + 1.5)
That means, if your foot length is 28.5cm, you should add 1.5, to give you 30. Then multiply 30 by 1.5, to give you a European Shoe Size of 45 (assuming you don't have a very wide foot, in which case you might want to consider going up one size to 46).
There is a difference of 1/3 of an inch between a 9.5 and 10 shoe size. This may not seem like much, but it can make a big difference in the fit and comfort of a shoe. A 9.5 may be too tight, while a 10 may be too loose. It is always best to try on both sizes to see which one fits better.
If you are looking for a comfortable, supportive shoe, then you should opt for the larger size. I wear a size 10.5 and can often wear a 10 or 11 without problem. I'd imagine you can wear a 9.5 or 10.5 without an issue. There shouldn't be a big difference.
First, you may have the wrong size or style of shoe. Some newer styles of shoes have a tight or pointy toe box and this can cause the toes to be close together and there may actually be irritation of the skin on adjacent toes. Another common cause for toes to get close together is bunions.
If your laces are done up too tightly the footwear can squash your toes. If they are too loose this will cause your foot to move around and slide too far forward causing your toe nails to hit the front of your shoe. Find out more about lacing techniques in our How to Lace Walking Boots guide.
It is important to try on shoes, and then to purchase the one that fits the best, regardless of the size. You should have 1/2 inch of space between your longest toe and the tip of the shoe. Make sure that this distance is measured from your longest, not your largest, toe.