Shoes are the most important part of a person's wardrobe. It is designed to protect the foot from temperature extremes, weather conditions, damage. Shoes that are correctly fitted for the foot serve for a long time, creating comfort and making the gait confident.
Basic Measurement Techniques
The size of the foot and, accordingly, the shoe is determined by the following parameters:
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foot length;
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width of the foot;
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lifting height.
The methods for determining the size of shoes are simple; for calculations, it is enough to have a piece of paper, a ruler and a pencil at hand. It is enough to stand with your foot on a piece of paper, trace the contour of the foot with a pencil, and then measure the length of the resulting print between the most distant points. This will give you your size in centimeters. Use the obtained data when trying on shoes or choosing models in the online store.
To measure the fullness (width) of the foot on the same footprint, determine the distance between the widest points of the toe. Properly fitted shoes should fit well without feeling tight or loose. Orthopedists recommend leaving a small (about 7 mm) gap between the foot and the inside of the shoe.
The lift of the foot is measured with a measuring tape across the fold and heel. At the top of the foot, the tape is fixed in place of the fold, and at the back, it passes through the bottom of the heel. In order for the boots or boots you like to successfully 'sit' on the foot, the circumference of the lower leg and calf (for boots or ankle boots) is additionally measured, and then the shoes are selected taking into account these indicators.
Various shoe markings
The markings on the shoes may vary. The size scale adopted in Europe corresponds to the domestic one and indicates the sizes familiar to everyone or their designation in centimeters. Shoes from the USA are marked differently – women's shoes starting from the number 5 and then with a stroke of 0.5, men's shoes starting from 7 and further with the same difference between adjacent sizes. In order not to be mistaken, use the size tables that are published in reputable online stores or on large wholesale platforms such as AliExpress. Often, for the convenience of customers, sellers indicate personal nets of shoe sizes for a particular brand (Salamander, Lacoste, Lloyd, Keds, Skechers, Primigi, Ecco, and others).
Little tricks for the right choice
There are general recommendations that will help you accurately take the necessary measurements of the foot and not make a mistake when choosing shoes:
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Measurements should be taken while standing, because when sitting, the load on the leg will not correspond to the actual one, and the size may be smaller than it should be.
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It is best to measure your foot at the end of the day when its size is at its maximum.
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When purchasing shoes with an extended toe, keep in mind that 1-2 cm in the toe should be left free.
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In any shoe you should feel your fingers and be able to move them freely.
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Choose summer shoes exactly in size, and winter shoes a little more spacious, so that, if necessary, you can warm up with a toe or an additional insole.
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If you wear high heels, make sure that the foot in such shoes cannot move along the last, otherwise, during operation, the foot may move forward, changing the load will lead to the breakage of the heel.
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Suede shoes can be purchased 'back to back' because they wear quickly and become wider.
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If your toes are sticking, then the shoe is small.
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Shoes can be carried only in width, but this applies only to models made of genuine leather, and the process will take time and require special tools.
For shoes to last longer, try to purchase several pairs for each season.
For baby feet
When choosing children's shoes, it is necessary to take into account the originality of the growing baby's body. The skeleton of the child's foot is formed by cartilage, the leg grows up to 18-20 years old, the bones acquire stability and hardness by the age of 6-7 years, and the arch of the foot is fully formed by the age of 12.
At the same time, children's feet at different ages grow at different rates:
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at the age of 2-3 years, it grows by 2-3 sizes per year;
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in preschoolers, it increases by two sizes annually;
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schoolchildren delight in the growth of 'paws' by one or two sizes every year.
If we consider that the difference between the sizes is 5 mm, then the importance of the question of thoughtful choice of shoes for the heir and constant monitoring of the conformity of the foot size to the existing shoes becomes immediately clear. Tight and narrow products not only cause inconvenience, they can deform the delicate cartilage of the foot, disrupt posture and negatively affect the baby's gait.
Comfortable shoes for the first steps
The child needs to look for the first shoes at the moment when he begins to stand on his feet and tries to take the first steps. The requirements for the first shoe are quite strict:
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the presence of a small heel (5-15 mm) for stability;
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hard back for fixing the heel;
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flexible thin sole;
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the correct size so that the shod baby can move his toes freely.
To correctly take measurements from the baby, it is convenient to use a string, which can then be measured with a ruler. As a result, you will receive the size in metric system (in millimeters). Modern domestic manufacturers often indicate the size according to the weight system, where 1 stitch is 0.66 cm.For example, the length of the baby's foot is 15 cm (taking into account 1 cm for the allowance), then its size is considered as follows: 15: 0.66 = 23 size (you need to round up).
Child comfort comes first
To make it comfortable for the child to walk, run and jump, do not forget to measure the length of his foot every 2-3 months and choose shoes taking into account the dynamics of growth. Determining the size of a fidget is difficult, it is even more difficult to walk with your baby to shoe stores and try on different models, so draw a footprint on cardboard or a thick sheet of paper, cut it out and carry it with you. Put this trace in your favorite shoe or shoe in order to determine whether this shoe is the right size for your child or not.
You can use the services provided by numerous online stores and order children's shoes directly from home, online. Choose based on the measurements you have taken, referring to the seller's tables. For example, American citizens are frequent buyers on Aliexpress, so you can see the American labeling system for children's shoes. The main thing is to know the size in centimeters or millimeters, and tables will help with translation.
When ordering shoes for a child, take a closer look at the material from which they are made. Products made of genuine leather are flexible, durable and meet the requirements of sanitation and hygiene. Textile shoes are perfect for summer (matting, linen, etc.), and for cold weather you can choose models made of felt, cloth, wool or felt. The modern shoe industry offers ample options for high quality textile footwear at an affordable price.
When choosing shoes for your child, remember about the growing foot and buy 'with a margin' of no more than 1 cm. During the season, the child's foot will increase in size, and spare millimeters will be very useful.
In the following articles, our experts tell you how to choose the right size of gloves, the secrets of choosing a stylish umbrella and the specifics of choosing the size of jeans.
Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a purchase guide.
