How to Measure out Shoe Size

Find heel-to-toe comfort with the help of these foot size measuring tips and shoe size guide from Pro Tips.

When it comes to footwear, a poor fit can cramp your mode and your focus. An incorrect shoe size can not only have a negative impact on your anxiety and back; it tin can also put a damper on your activities. Luckily, finding your foot size is a simple procedure. Pro Tips breaks it down here.

HOW TO Mensurate YOUR SHOE SIZE

There are a scattering of ways to notice your foot measurement. You lot tin can get information technology done professionally past a podiatrist, use a Brannock device at a store or even mensurate from home.

When measuring your shoe size at domicile, you'll need the following items:

  • Two pieces of paper larger than your foot
  • Tape
  • Writing utensil
  • Ruler

Before taking your measurement, put on the socks you programme on wearing with your shoes. If you're finding a size for hiking boots, you may want thicker socks than if you lot're measuring for running shoes. It'due south also recommended to wait until the cease of the day, when your foot is at its widest bespeak.

1. Tape the paper on the floor with one end against a wall. Information technology's of import that it doesn't slip and then that y'all're able to get the proper measurement.

ii. Plant one foot on the paper with your heel against the wall.

3. Trace the outline of your human foot. Information technology's easiest to have someone help you with this step. Try not to concur the pencil at an angle, as that can crusade an improper measurement.

four. Using your ruler, measure the longest and widest parts of your outline.

5. Echo with your other human foot.

Have down your measurements in both inches and centimeters. Charts may vary in the units used. When comparing your results with a shoe size chart, you lot'll want to use the measurement of your larger foot.

Proceed in mind that if yous're purchasing a shoe for a child, it may be helpful to purchase a larger size to permit them room to grow.

Shoe sizes may vary by brand, so you should try to consult the chart of the brands you're about interested in. You can refer to brand-specific size charts on the folio of the product y'all're shopping.

HOW SHOULD YOUR SHOES FIT?

Although measuring your foot can requite you a rough idea of your size, information technology's also of import to endeavour a shoe on and check the fit. Your desired fit may vary based on the type of shoe yous're purchasing.

SPORT-SPECIFIC

  • Baseball game and softball cleats: When looking for baseball and softball cleats, a snug fit is primal. Your toes should movement comfortably, only effort to keep infinite between your longest toe and the front of the cleat no more than a quarter inch.
  • Basketball shoes: Basketball shoes accept a variety of closure techniques to secure the uppers. Regardless of style, your foot should non stretch the upper over the midsole. For best fit, look to have a thumbnail'south length of space in the toe box and a heel that does not sideslip.
  • Football cleats: Football game cleats help you go along your footing on the field, so y'all'll want a snug fit in the heel. You lot should also aim for about a one-half inch between your longest toe and the front of your cleat.
  • Soccer cleats: Soccer cleats should have a tighter fit than your standard shoe. The heel and upper should exist snug to prevent your human foot from sliding. You'll want a quarter inch gap betwixt your toes and the front end of the cleat.

Learn more well-nigh buying footwear for your specific sport or activity with these Pro Tips.

Athletic SHOES

  • Walking shoes: With walking shoes, toe box room is key. As the name suggests, the toe box is the role of the shoe that covers your toes. A toe box that is likewise small-scale volition restrict the muscles in your pes. Aim for a thumb's width betwixt your longest toe and the front of your shoe. Remember that not anybody'south "big toe" is the longest.
  • Cross country shoes: For the best fit with cross country shoes, you lot need a thumbnail'south worth of infinite at the front of the shoe to allow jerk room for your toes.
  • Running shoes: Running shoes should fit snug throughout the foot, with room in the toes. When pressing down with your thumb, there should be about a half to a total thumb'southward width of space at the front of your shoe. You lot can utilize the DICK'S Running Shoes Finder to help get the perfect fit.

BOOTS

  • Hiking boots: Hiking boots shouldn't exist too broad on your feet. Endeavour to ensure that your heels don't move up and downward in the boot. Even so, you do want room in the toe box, equally your toes volition slide forward while walking downhill.
  • Wading boots: To adapt waders, you lot may want to get up a size in wading boots. Some manufacturers will factor this into sizing, while others will not. Be certain to consult each brand's size chart.
  • Pelting boots: In full general, rain boots tend to sit loftier on the leg. Because of this, it's of import that the opening at the calf is large enough for your legs to sideslip in comfortably. All the same, if your heel slams down when you lot walk, that'south a sign your boots are too large.
  • Work boots: When walking in piece of work boots, your heel should not come out of the kick or rub against the back. You lot should besides endeavour to have virtually an inch of room in the toe box and so that your toes don't slide forrad and hit the front.
  • Winter boots: Winter boots tend to take more width to arrange thicker socks.
  • Hunting boots: Like wintertime boots, you may desire to wear a thicker pair of socks with hunting boots. Therefore, it may exist beneficial to go for a slightly wider fit. If you programme on adding a liner to your boots, you lot might need to go up a size or two.

TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS

Even if yous've taken all the steps necessary to find your shoe size, it may have a few wears to know if you've plant the best fit. Here are some ways to tell if your shoes are too large or too small.

If y'all detect blisters forming on top of or between your toes, that could be a sign that your shoes are besides small. A shoe that is too modest may also crusade calluses or your foot to fall comatose or cramp. Meanwhile, blisters on the ball of your foot are an indication that your shoe is too wide.

It's common to demand a half size larger in your athletic footwear than a typical dress shoe. With running shoes, if you find that you take bruised toes, that could signal your shoes aren't long enough. If yous find that your heel is slipping, trying a dissimilar lacing technique may help solve the issue. If not, attempt a different insole or a smaller shoe size.

Keep in mind that feet can grow or change over time. Other factors, such every bit curvation type and foot shape, may affect the fit of your footwear. Using these Pro Tips to routinely measure your feet can assist you maintain comfort from shoe to sole.

Finding your size just got easier with the assistance of True Fit! Look for the True Fit icon on apparel and footwear product pages when shopping online at DICK'South Sporting Goods. Get personalized size and fit recommendations with only a few clicks. Acquire more about True Fit.