I hate my shoe/foot size and shape

Ionic · 3rd October 2003, 01:31

My turn for a rant :P
This is distinct from the rant about manufacturers inconsistent sizing but the thread where we can whine about what nature has given each of us!

I'm in a kind "twilight zone" [cue the tv sf program theme tune] between uk8 and 9, probably nearer the 8 when it is a true 8 and not a 7.5/41. Choice can be sparse enough at an 8 anyway and where there is a 9 the makers seem to go mad "these are 'outsize', better make em big" and jump from 27cms to 28.5cms a much too great a leap.

The trade off between width and lengh doesn't work for me either; I have an extremely narrow heel bone (don't even talk to me about men's shoes which are quite impossible) but splay out rather wide across the toes ~ I guess they have spread having worn shoes so little in 25yrs. So when I try some 9s they may be good around the toes but are too long and like boats around the heel; then an eight is either the right length, holds the heel but squeezes the toes or is generally not bad except my big toe (the longest bit) strikes the end.

And another thing, my toes are fairly short and the instep/arch fairly long - this means few heeled styles give enough support under the arch and the ball of the foot doesn't plant itself correctly in the tox box.

I'm beginning to feel I have no choice but to develop the skills in 'modification' but it is all time, work and a pain.

OK, feel much better now, my rant over; anyone else want a go???
_

oh just in case anyone has a really generous present in mind for me :rofl: , the only things on the planet that seem to fit me are Church's 8G last; until Clarke's shut their Somerset factories down in the big recession, their 8.5 standard width was fine too, but their stuff all comes from Romania and places now. Half sizes... ...remember them, huh ????

My re-incarnation fantasy is to return as a sz UK5

Bubba136 · 3rd October 2003, 14:42

It appears that short of having a complete foot transplant, the next good solution is "custom made" shoes. They're expensive, but last a long time. You're lucky...living in the UK you are close to several manufacturers that take custom orders. LSB, for one. (by the way, I believe custom shoes would be cheaper than a foot transplant -- although, if the shoes don't fit, probably just as painful

)

J-Nation · 3rd October 2003, 20:39

Quote:

I'm beginning to feel I have no choice but to develop the skills in 'modification' but it is all time, work and a pain.

On first reading this, I thought you meant modifications to your feet!
Emma

Highluc · 3rd October 2003, 21:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bubba136

...I believe custom shoes would be cheaper than a foot transplant -- although, if the shoes don't fit, probably just as painful

)

On the other hand look at the number of (cheap) styles available after an (average) foot transplant.

Ionic · 3rd October 2003, 23:12

You trying to give me ideas??? Perhaps I could get some metatarsals shortened a few millimetres and how about the big toes a little bit too...

/I

jo · 4th October 2003, 00:49

My true size is 39.5 European. I find that a true 40 European is just about OK too, but a true size 39 European is usually too tight. For UK sizes, size 6.5 is spot-on, but very few brands still do half sizes. A size 6 UK is usually out of the question, and a size 7 UK is often a little loose.

Firefox · 5th October 2003, 14:52

I think foot surgery usually consists of removing one or two toes completely. It's always seemed very drastic to me though no more or less so than any other form of cosmetic surgery. I've got the length of a 7 and the width in the toes of an 8 (UK sizes). I'm not complaining though because at least I can get heels that fit me. In the narrow toe styles I'll either buy in 8 or stretch the toes out with my fibreglass last or wooden stretcher. In the broad toe styles the 7's will fit nicely. I even have many boots which are size EUR 40. That size is actually slightly less than 7, about 6 3/4 according to charts.

new_look · 13th October 2003, 17:04

im a mens 9 but fit womens 8 normally. I currently have 2 pairrs of womens 7 that are now stretched wnough for me.

Trouble is its a push to find the standard womens sizes having a 8 in. Im a fan of MK one shoe styles (thanks to my gf shopping in there often) and you have to visit a big sheffield or leeds branch to get an 8. The smaller shops seem to forget that theres not everyone on the planet with size 4 or 5 feet.

Firefox · 13th October 2003, 20:31

I think 6 (39) is the most popular size, followed by 5, and then 7, then 4, then 8 and lastly 3.

Anonymous · 13th October 2003, 20:45

Hay Ionic
Be thankful you dont have size UK13 broad feet like myself at least you can order shoes from various stores / catalogues and sites etc!