Although trends come and go, the modest pair of sandalsnever seem to go out of style. Versatile, practical and fashionable, thistimeless form of footwear has become an absolute wardrobe essential for men andwomen alike. However, finding the perfect pair of sandals is not always easy.Unlike other pairs of shoes, when it comes to sandals, you can’t go on styleand size alone - you also have to consider the individual fit of the sandal andthe unique shape of your feet, as well as how tight or loose they are as youwear them.
In this post, we take a deep dive into everything youneed to know when it comes to selecting a new pair of perfectly-fitting men’sor women’s sandals.
How should sandals fit?
From gladiators and sliders toslingbacks and wedges, the variety that sandals offer is great, both for menand women. However, regardless of the style of sandals you’re thinking ofpurchasing, ensuring they fit well is essential. After all, you don't want tobuy a new pair of shoes only to find they are too big or small, or nip, rub andchafe your feet.
With this in mind, there are fourthings you need to bear in mind when shopping for sandals. These are:
1. Soles
It’s crucialthat the first thing you check when ensuring you’re purchasing sandals thatwill fit your feet comfortably is their soles. In order to achieve a good fit,the base of the sandals should match the shape of your foot. Does the sole lookwide enough for your foot and is the sole/heel thick enough to provide thesupport you need? If the answer to these questions is ‘yes’, the sandals arelikely to be a good fit.
2. Length
While it maysound obvious, ensuring you choose the right length sandal is very important.Often people assume larger shoes make their feet look bigger, so opt forsmaller sizes. In fact, the opposite is true - smaller sizes can actually makeyour feet appear larger. Always go for the comfortable option and remember thatwhen it comes to sandals, a slightly larger size than you are typically used towearing will often provide the best fit.
3. Arch contours
Typically moreprevalent in ladies’ footwear, poorly designed arch contours can turn a greatlooking pair of sandals into foot killers. Most shoes feature arched contoursinsoles which are designed to provide support for your feet, but when thesecontours are too extreme or too flat, they can lead to pain when you wear themand even a number of painful foot conditions.
4. Straps
When you’rehappy with a sandals’ length, sole size and arch contours, it’s time to checkout the straps. While the straps on men’s sandals tend to be fairly standard,ladies' sandals can vary greatly. Whether you’re looking at footwear withadjustable straps, such, buckles, zips or touch close fasteners, it’s importantto play with the straps to ensure they provide a secure enough fit for yourfeet.
How to tell if sandals are too small
As a unique form of open footwear, there are a number ofways to tell if sandals are too small. If you experience any of the followingwhen trying on a new pair of sandals, look for a larger size or a differentmodel. The pair of sandals you are trying on are too small if:
● Yourtoes extend over the front of the sole and/or your heels protrude over the heel
● Yourbig and/or small toes are hanging over the sides of the sandals
● Thestraps are pinching or digging into different area of your feet, particularlyyour toes and/or heels
● Inorder to wear the sandals, you have to use the largest strap setting
● Yourfeet feel generally uncomfortable in them, or you think there is a chancewearing them could cause blisters, calluses or ingrown nails.
How to tighten loose sandals
Tightening loose sandals to ensure a better fit allcomes down to the type of straps used. For touch close fasteners, for example,this could involve simply pulling and stretching the straps further over yourfeet before using the velcro fabric to fix the sandal in a more secureposition.
If you want to tighten sandals that use buckles, however,it might be worth creating a new notch in the straps using a nail, needle orpin. This will enable you to secure a better fit and help to make sure yoursandal won’t slip, slide or fall off as you're walking.
How to measure sandal size
Measuring sandal size is the same as measuring shoesize. To save time, before trying on sandals at random until you find theperfect fit, you may want to measure your feet. By measuring your own sandalsize, finding the perfect fit for you will be easier and quicker. If you don’talready know your shoe size, or you think it may have changed, simply followthe instructions below.
● Placetwo pieces of paper on the floor - one for each foot - and trace around theedge of each foot using a pencil.
● Cutthe templates of your feet out using scissors.
● Measureeach template from heel to toe using a ruler or tape measure and record eachmeasurement.
● Finda shoe size conversion chart online to determine your sandal size.
Should sandals be a size bigger?
As already mentioned, despite the temptation to purchasesandals in a smaller size in an attempt to make your feet appear smaller, it isvitally important you only wear sandals that fit your feet correctly and thatare comfortable. With this in mind, it is not advised purchasing sandals thatare too small as they can cause you discomfort, pain and even long-term footconditions if worn over a long period of time.
While ordering sandals in smaller sizes is a no-no,there are some occasions where bigger sizes could be a good option. If, forexample, your feet are prone to swelling, your feet naturally fall betweensizes, or a particular model of sandal you are trying on feels small, optingfor a size bigger than usual could be a sensible decision. The key is choosingthe best size for you based on comfort and fit.
