Finding the perfect sneaker fit isn’t always easy. Every brand has its own quirks when it comes to sizing.
When you desperately want to grab a pair of the hottest new sneakers, this can be high-stakes. After all, you don’t want to drop hundreds of dollars on a pair of shoes that don’t fit.
If you’re into sneakers, you need a sizing guide that fits all your needs. Keep reading, and we’ll give you just that.
Try-On Shoes Whenever Possible
The best way to buy a new pair of sneakers is to go into the store. Of course, you won’t always have this luxury; but when you do, you should take advantage of it.
There is an art to trying on sneakers. Let’s break it down.
Wear Typical Socks
When you’re buying sneakers, it is important to try them on in the same conditions that you’re going to be wearing them. Wear socks that are the same thickness and material as the socks you typically wear.
Nothing is worse than trying on a pair of shoes and then getting home and realizing that they don’t quite fit the way you thought they did.
Err on the thicker side when it comes to socks. It is easier to handle your shoes being slightly too big than it is to handle the alternative.
Move Around
When you’re trying on shoes, make sure you experience them at their full range of motion. A pair of sneakers that may feel comfortable while you’re standing still might be stifling when you try to move.
This is especially important if you have unusually narrow or wide feet. If your feet typically do not fit into shoes the way you expect them to, you should take special care when trying them on.
When you were younger, your mother or father probably took you to the shoe store and instructed you to, ” stand up and run around in them.”
You’re never too old to listen to your mother. Take her advice and make sure you can move around freely in your new kicks.
Find Your Toe
Another piece of motherly advice that you should heed as an adult: when you’re trying on new shoes, find your toe. This is the best way to quickly check that your shoes are the right size.
The tip of your toe should be close to the end of your shoe, but there should be a small amount of wiggle room. Around a quarter of an inch of space should be perfect.
Make sure you perform this test while standing. Your toe moves forward in your shoe when you lean down from a sitting position.
Look Up a Size Guide
In an ideal world, you’ll get to try out your new sneakers in the store. However, when you can’t, there are still ways to make sure you buy the perfect size.
You should be able to find a shoe size guide for most shoe styles. If a brand runs big or small, they will tell you that much on their website.
They may also have instructions for finding your perfect fit by measuring various dimensions of your feet.
If a brand doesn’t deviate much from standard sizings, they will say something on their website like, “our products run true to size.”
For example, Doc Martens states on their website that some styles of their boots run big. They suggest going down a size if you are somewhere in between sizes.
Most shoe sellers should provide you with this information. If you can’t find it on their website, you may be able to talk online with a sales representative.
Consult Reviews
When you buy shoes online, you should always consult reviews first. Websites can have a lot of valuable information on them, but nothing is more trustworthy than the reports of genuine customers.
For example, you might be wondering: does Yeezy run small? Reading customer reviews will help you figure that out.
Reviews can also help you find out other little-known facts about your new shoes. Customers might share helpful information about size, comfort, washing instructions, durability, and more.
When you read customer reviews, make sure you can tell the difference between a sponsored review and a genuine review.
For instance, some online retailers will mark certain reviews as a “verified purchase” or something similar.
Ask for References
When you’re into sneakers, online forums and communities can be a big asset to you. The sneaker enthusiasts who frequently post on these forums may have tips that you didn’t even know you needed.
If you can’t find the information you’re looking for online, you should ask for it.
You might be surprised at the level of scholarship that people in online communities develop. Members of these communities often take great pride in being experts in their areas of special interest.
They’ll love finding the answers to all your most unusual questions!
Find Your Perfect Sneaker Fit Today
Now is the perfect time to get ahead of those fall shoe trends. Find the perfect pair of sneakers to fit your fashion sense and lifestyle.
Remember to find the perfect sneaker fit by following these tips. If you can’t go try them on in a store, use all the online resources that you can!
Your wardrobe is certain to look refreshed with some footwear additions.
For more tips like these, check out the rest of our blog! We provide you with all the latest fashion hacks and trendsetting news.