Today, we live in a world where the internet makes everything easy. You can wake up one morning, shop, order food, and meet your daily needs all from your phone.
However, about 30% of products ordered online are returned, compared to only about 9% in physical stores.
This is usually because customers are unable to get a physical feel of the product they’re getting and therefore cannot judge if they really like the product or if it even fits.
Items like clothes, indoor decoration items and many more get returned either because the product image looks nothing like the delivered products or because it does not fit.
The thing though is that there’s nothing that can compare to trying on brand new shoes in person, but online shoe stores blow that experience out of the water with the sheer number of styles and brands you can choose from.
However, finding the right size online can be a gamble. Different brands use different sizing, and some shoes just fit differently altogether.
To ensure you're happy with your new shoes when they arrive, we've created a helpful guide on how to choose the right size when shopping for shoes online.
Tips To Choose The Right Shoe Size When Shopping Online
1. Finding the right shoe size chart
Sizing can be tricky! Online shoe stores might use different systems depending on where they're based. The three most common are US, UK, and European sizes.
Before you start measuring your foot, check which shoe size system is used on the website you're ordering from.
For example, a size 9 in the UK corresponds to a size 43 in European sizes and a size 10 for men in the US sizing system.
This means that if you order without checking the size conversion, you could end up with shoes that are too small or too large.
To avoid disappointment, always verify the sizing chart used by the retailer and convert your size accordingly. This ensures that when your package arrives, the shoes will fit perfectly. This guide will help you sort them out!
To simplify things, here's an international shoe size conversion chart for both women's and men's shoes. It's your go-to guide, ensuring you get the right size no matter which country's sizing system is used.
2. Measure Your Feet
Did you know your foot size can change over time? Factors like weight gain, pregnancy, and age can all affect your foot size. That's why it's important to measure your feet regularly to ensure you're wearing the right size.
Even a shoe that's just half a size too small can put pressure on your foot and, in extreme cases, restrict blood flow to your toes.
When measuring your feet, be sure to check both the length and width. These measurements are crucial for finding a comfortable fit.
Although the top of your foot also matters for comfort, you don't need to measure it separately. A shoe that fits well in length and width will fit well on top too.
When people talk about shoe size, they're usually talking about the length of your feet. So, it's really important to measure this accurately.
Picture a straight line from the tip of your longest toe to the bottom of your heel, running parallel to the middle of your foot.This is the length of your foot. If this description isn't clear, refer to the above image for guidance.
Next, measure the width of your foot. This is the distance across the widest part of your foot, typically around the ball of your foot. While width is generally less important than length, it becomes relevant for certain types of footwear.
Most shoes come in a standard width that fits most people. But if you have wider feet or need more room, some brands offer wide-width options. If the standard width feels too tight, check out these wider options for a more comfortable fit.
Here’s a simple way to measure your feet at home:
What you'll need:
- A sheet of A4 paper
- A pen for precise marking (avoid a leaky pen!)
- Your ruler
- Put on the socks you intend to wear with the shoes you're measuring for.
- Secure a piece of paper to a hard floor, ensuring it stays in place.
- Stand with one foot on the paper, keeping your knees slightly bent. Alternatively, sit in a chair with both feet flat on the ground.
- Using a pen or pencil held vertically, trace around the outline of your foot on the paper. If possible, have someone assist you to ensure stability and accuracy.
- Repeat the tracing process for your other foot, as it's common for feet to have slight size differences.
- Mark the tip of your big toe and the outermost part of your heel on each tracing.
- Use a ruler or measuring tape to measure the distance between the toe and heel marks on each foot. This measurement represents the length of your feet.
- For the most precise results, use a ruler calibrated in centimetres rather than inches.
- If your feet are slightly different sizes, it's best to use the measurements of the larger foot when comparing against a size chart.
Alternatively, if you'd rather skip the hassle of measuring your foot size yourself, you can always visit a professional shoe store and have them do it for you.
They typically use a tool called a Brannock Device, which has been around since the 1920s to ensure accurate measurements.
It's fascinating to think that even back then, people faced similar challenges in finding the right shoe fit. Simply ask the store staff to measure your foot size, jot down the dimensions, and then you can confidently order the perfect-sized shoes online.
Tip you should know about measuring your feet
- It's a smart move to measure your feet after a full day of walking. Walking can cause your feet to swell slightly, affecting their size. By measuring them at the end of a day when you've been active, you ensure that you don't end up purchasing shoes that feel too tight.
This way, you can be confident that your shoes will remain comfortable no matter how much you're on your feet.
- When taking measurements, it's important to stand up as your position can affect the size and shape of your feet. Stand with your feet slightly apart.
The best approach is to stand tall with your weight evenly distributed over your foot, while someone else makes a note of the size for you. This ensures the most accurate measurements.
- If you're going to wear socks with the shoes you want to buy, like boots or trainers, then measure your foot with socks on. This ensures the shoe size you get will be just right.
Only measure your feet barefoot if you're planning to wear shoes without socks, like sandals or summer shoes.
- If you have half-sized feet, it's important to choose brands that offer half sizes in their size guide.
Avoid opting for a pair that is one size up, as it can lead to fit issues. Instead, consider selecting a model that is half a size up to ensure a better fit for your feet.
- It's also beneficial to consider how the shape of the shoe corresponds with your foot. For instance, if you're eyeing shoes with pointed cap toes, it's wise to select a larger size as these models tend to run slightly smaller.
If you have wide feet, look for shoes with seams at the widest part of your foot, and perhaps avoid exceptionally pointed styles. This ensures a more comfortable and better-fitting shoe for your foot shape.
Now, while you may have followed all these procedures clearly, the show you order may still not fit when it arrives. What you will need to do once your brand-new shoe orders arrive is to wear them immediately while leaving them on the labels to see if they fit right.
If they don’t, quickly place a return order or ask for a replacement in a slightly bigger or smaller size.
Just make sure you try them on a clean floor to make sure it does not get damaged in any form.
