by Susan Klatz Beal

Created on: July 21, 2009

Shoes sizes vary greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer. Many people fail to take this into consideration when shopping for shoes. Shoes made in Europe have an entirely different sizing system. Learning how to balance comfort, size and fit isn't difficult at all. As long as one isn't locked into a preconceived notion as to what size shoe they wear, it will be possible to see that comfort and fit are very much related, but size and fit don't necessarily work out as one would expect.

SNEAKERS AND ATHLETIC SHOES -

A very common mistake that people make when looking to buy athletic shoes or sneakers is that they stick to the size of their street shoe. To get a proper fit that will allow toes the freedom to move around and that will accommodate the natural foot swelling that occurs when people walk for a while, one should go up a half a size. By going up a half size, one will have wiggle room for comfort, and one will get more use out of a well fitted and comfortable shoe.

WINTER BOOTS -

Winter boots are a lot like athletic shoes in that it is important to go up a half a size. This will make it possible to wear warm socks and the feet will still have the freedom to move around. Boots should also allow the toe portion to bend, just as it would when someone walks.

WORK SHOES -

Work shoes can be really difficult to choose because every aspect of the fit of the shoe will vary widely. All feet aren't alike, and some people may have very narrow feet, others may have narrow heels but normal width feet elsewhere. Some people may have high insteps, and others may have some type of foot problem.

For people who have any type of heel problem, a shoe without a back is the worst thing one can wear. For people who have extremely narrow heels, a shoe without a back may be the ideal way to solve the problem of not finding shoes that fit in the heel. High insteps can be another problem, and for people who have a high instep, a tie shoe can often be very problematic. For people who have this type of issue, a shoe that has some sort of strap that can be adjusted may be the solution.

SANDALS -

Sandals are among the easiest shoes to choose because there are many styles and sizes. Wider feet will be accommodated with a sandal for which the front of the shoe is adjustable. People who have narrow heels will find comfort and fit in a sandal where the back strap is adjustable. Shoe companies have learned to design styles that are suited to every type of lifestyle. One may find hiking sandals,

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