 Re: Proper shoe fit
The big toe should not be up against the front end of the shoe. If it is, the shoe is too short and will bend or force your toe back, causing discomfort and possibly permanent injury. You need toe room. Some shoes are long enough but too short vertically in the toe box and press down too hard on the toe, which can also cause discomfort. Neither situation is desirable. Buy shoes with enough toe room.
You can stretch leather shoes somewhat in length, although it is a lot easier to stretch them in width (if that is a problem). You can buy shoe stretchers to do this with.
One technique I use to get shoes to fit me is to wear them in the bath or shower (careful not to slip!) some morning and give them a really good soaking (5-10 minutes). Then wear them all day and by the time they dry, they will have conformed to the shape of your foot rather well. Wear nylon stockings (knee highs or pantyhose) so that the moisture in the leather and the moisture from your foot's natural perspiration can escape. One thorough soaking and dry cycle like this will probably not damage the shoes at all (after all, the leather got wet quite often when it was on the cow), so give it a try. This technique will sometimes work on vinyl shoes, but they don't stretch as well usually.
GWL |