How to Find the Perfect Fitting Shoes
We ask a lot of our feet. With each step you take, your foot strikes the ground with more than three times your body weight, and you ask them to do this thousands of times per day. Your feet depend on you, too. It’s your job to keep your feet healthy and pain free. One of the most critical things you can do to care for your feet is to choose the right shoes - The perfect fit!
Many people are wearing shoes that are too tight, too big, or don’t provide the best support. These shoes will lead to stress on your feet, ankles, legs, and all the way up your hips and spine. This stress will lead to pain, and that
pain can be prevented by simply wearing the right shoes. We know a thing or two about helping you find the perfect fit in the right shoe. The ICS Personal Fitting Specialists have helped hundreds of people find the proper shoe for their needs.
Finding the Perfect Width
The area around your toes, called the toe box, should have enough room for your toes to rest comfortably. If there’s too much room, your foot will slide around inside the shoe, which leads to calluses and blisters. More often, however, the toe box is too tight. For people with wide feet, the toe box is one of their biggest issues when choosing shoes. Traditional shoe stores typically only stock medium width shoes, making it difficult to find the right fit.
Many people make the mistake of buying a larger size, when what they really need is a bigger width. Our shoes come in several widths (Narrow, Medium, Wide, 2E, 4E, 6E, 7E, 9E, 10E), to help you find the right fit.
Determining the Correct Length
Remember to make sure there is room at the end of your toes, as well. While standing up, there should be up to half an inch of space between your longest toe and the shoe tip. If you can wiggle your toes inside your shoe while standing, you’re on the right track. Too much room, and you’ll be at risk of tripping and falling.
Various Upper Materials & Closures
The top of the shoe, called the upper (leather or fabric), should be made from a material that conforms to the shape and condition of your foot, without constricting. Shoes with closures, rather than slip-ons, can help provide the right amount of “give” along the top of the foot. Adjustable closures (hook & loop or laces) can also help to keep your feet comfortable throughout the day, as your feet generally swell later in the day.
Benefits of Insoles (Inserts)
Inside the shoe, the insoles should provide enough cushioning to absorb the shock of those thousands of steps you’ll take in a day. There are three areas that need proper support: the arch, the ball of the foot, and the heel. The heel can support as much as 25% of your body weight. Shoes with removable insoles allow you to adjust the amount of support or cushion you need for your specific foot shape and activity level.
Adjusting the Volume Inside the Shoe
Most of the shoes the ICS provide include removable inserts, so you can adjust the amount of cushion on the bottom, as well as the space inside the shoe. The volume (space inside the shoe) of your foot is just as important as the width. Some of our shoes also include "flat" spacers that can be placed below the insert on either or both shoes. These flat inserts can be used to adjust the amount of volume within the shoe to provide a snug but not tight fit.
Choosing the Right Sole of the Shoe
The bottoms (sole) of your shoes are another important factor. Soles should provide traction and keep you from slipping. This is especially important for people who work in "utility" type of jobs like restaurants or with slippery floors. In some cases you may need a sole that doesn't stick to the surface and cause you to trip.
The Heel of the Shoes
Ideally, your shoe should provide slight elevation, either from the outside heel or the inside, thicker sole at the back of the shoe. The part of the shoe that wraps around the back of your heel, the counter, needs to be firm enough to support and protect your ankles. When standing and moving, the back of your heel should fit snugly into the counter, not slide up and down while you walk.
Different Size Feet
If your feet are two different sizes, buy shoes to fit the larger foot. Choose shoes with removable insoles and flat spacers. Add the inserts and spacers to the shoe on the smaller foot to adjust the volume inside the shoe.
Fashion vs Function - You can now have Both!
While it used to be far more difficult to find shoes that both looked and felt great, ICS shoe manufacturers have found the right balance between fashion and function. Today there are many choices of good looking shoes that will fit your feet and keep them healthy and happy. We’re here to help you find the perfect fit for your feet.
ICS Shoes encourages you to find the Perfect Fitting Shoe and not suffer from pain and discomfort. ICS Personal Fitting Specialist's are here to help you find just the right shoe for your lifestyle. Call Your Personal Fitting Specialist today at
(877) 553-5544 or
Contact Us by eMail. We're here to help you!