Shoe Fitting Tips

It's the shoe that holds the orthotic in the proper place on the foot. Shoes can maximize the value of an orthotic or limit it. Because orthotics take up room that would otherwise be avaliable for the foot, not all shoe types are suitable for orthotics. Many of today's shoes, however, are manufactured with a removable inlay, which is the "bed" the foot rests on in a shoe. When the inlay is removed, there may be sufficient space to replace it with an orthotic.

Shoe recommendations will be given on your initial visit. Please remember to bring any shoes discussed on your return fitting appointment.

Shoes that fit properly help you do things you enjoy. They provide comfort and improve performance. They can also keep your feet healthy. Here are 10 tips to help you select shoes that are right for your feet:

Sizes vary among shoe brands and styles. Don't select shoes by the size marked inside the shoe. Judge the shoe by how it fits on your foot.
Select a shoe that conforms as nearly as possible to the shape of your foot.
Have your feet measured regularly. The size of your foot changes as you grow older.
Have BOTH feet measured. Most people have one foot longer than the other. Fit to the larger foot.
Fit at the end of the day when your feet are largest.
Stand during the fitting process and check that there is adequate space (3/8" to 1/2") for your longest toe at the end of each shoe. An easy way to assess this is by using “the rule of thumb,” in which you feel for your longest toe in the shoe and make sure there is about a thumb’s width of empty space between the tip of your toe and the end of the shoe.
Make sure the ball of your foot fits comfortably into the widest part (ball pocket) of the shoe.
Don't purchase shoes that feel too tight, expecting them to "stretch" to fit.
Your heel should fit comfortably in the shoe with minimum slippage.
Walk in the shoe to make sure it fits and feels right (Fashionable shoes CAN be comfortable!)