A study by researchers at the College of Podiatry in the United Kingdom found that the average foot size continues to grow, but more and more people are forgoing professional help when purchasing a new pair of shoes.
Researchers say their findings show that the average shoe size has increased two sizes since the 1970’s, but many adults aren’t buying the right size shoe. In a study of more than 2,000 adults in the U.K., more than a third of men and nearly half of women admitted to buying shoes that didn’t fit properly.
Many men and women who buy ill-fitting shoes opt for a style with too narrow a toe box. Steve L. Haddad, president of the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society, said these individuals may be doing permanent damage to their feet.
“It’s like when your mom said, ‘Don’t make that face, it will stay that way,'” he says. “It does actually stay that way when you put so much pressure on the toe over a long period of time.”
Online Ordeal
Many podiatrists say there are two main reasons so many individuals suffer from shoe-related foot pain. The first reason, which we’ve documented on the blog on numerous occasions, is that many people sacrifice comfort for fashion. Shoes like high heels and narrow-toed shoes may look great, but you’re doing severe damage to your feet.
The second issue is quite interesting. Many in the footcare industry say the rise in online shopping has led to an increasing number of foot issues. Driven by the need to find the best deal or search several stores in a short amount of time, many shoppers are turning to online stores for their shoe needs. The issue is that not all Size 8 shoes are the exact same size. Some brands run small, while others run wide. Shoppers justify this by saying they’ll return anything that doesn’t fit, but oftentimes they’ll ignore the discomfort because they really like their new pair of shoes and don’t want to go through the hassle of returning them and finding another pair.
Dr. Silverman comments
Ease continues to trump sensibility in today’s society. Sure it may be easier to buy shoes or visit a doctor via a videochat, but you’re much more likely to get the best advice by visiting a professional in person.
I understand all the benefits of buying shoes online, but your feet are too important to damage simply because you don’t want to take a trip to the store. If you’re truly determined to buy shoes online, I strongly recommend visiting a store first. Have a professional measure your feet, and try on some brands you think you’ll look for online. Note which brands are tighter and which ones run small so you can purchase the best fitting pair online.
Oh, and please send the shoes back if they don’t fit!
Related source: Wall Street Journal
