How to Find the Perfect Fit!
Essential Shoe Buying Tips for All Feet!
Men and women alike have a love/hate relationship with shoes. While shoes can be our best friends, they can also be our worst enemies. There are definitely some key factors that need to be considered when purchasing shoes – especially if you actually plan to wear them and walk in them for an extended period of time. Here are some tips to consider, regardless of how old you are, what size shoe you wear, what conditions you need to consider, or what styles of shoes you like.
MEASURE YOUR FEET
If you haven’t had your foot measured since you were a kid, run, don’t walk to your favorite full-service shoe store and get it done! The biggest problem with shoes not feeling as good as they can is due to wearing the wrong size. The most accurate form of foot measurement is still a Brannock® device. You will need to stand up when having your foot measured and make sure to measure both feet (preferably with socks off). This is why we can’t do it ourselves and need to trust a trained shoe specialist.
WIDTH MATTERS
Size matters – but so does width.
Some shoe brands only come in one width. This isn’t good if you wear a Narrow, Wide or Wide-Wide shoe. The most commonly made mistake we have found is for people to go up a size (i.e. from a 9 to a 10) because they are unaware that they should be going up in width (i.e. from a Medium to a Wide). Finding your perfect size/width combo is a life-changing experience. Drew offers men’s and women’s styles in an impressive array of sizes and widths.
GUESS WHAT, DEPTH MATTERS, TOO!
Shoe depth is another area where Drew has you covered! Many times a shoe doesn’t fit properly because the wearer needs added or double depth. These features are necessary for foot conditions like hammertoes, swelling, high insteps and Ankle-Foot Orthoses (AFO's). By providing removable insoles, Drew shoes also accommodate for custom or prescribed orthotics.
WHAT ELSE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED?
Common foot problems can cause tremendous discomfort, especially if they aren’t being considered when selecting shoes.
Drew has solutions for these, and we've included a Foot Condition drop-down on our site to help you find the right shoe:
• Plantar Fasciitis • Diabetes • Bunions • Metatarsalgia (ball of foot pain) • Hammertoes • Arthritis • Pes Planus (flat feet) • Pes Cavus (high arch) • Ankle Valgus (roll out) • Ankle Varus (roll in)
THE RIGHT SHOES
The wrong type of shoe can affect your body from the sole up, leading to injury and discomfort. It’s important to make sure your shoes support your foot shape and protect your feet.
That’s why Drew carries a huge variety of sizes, widths, and lasts with features designed for comfort and protection for any foot, so anyone can stay on their feet. Even you!
Drew, For Every Foot That Needs a Shoe
If you already know your size and width, use our Shoe Finder on the plantar fasciitis page to find the perfect shoe for you.
This information is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
