There are shoes for many occasions. Hiking shoes, sports shoes and sandals – these are just a few of the huge selection. But there are also shoes that you can wear for almost everything. Casual shoes can be used universally, from walking to gardening to shopping trips. This is very practical and the reason why casual shoes are very popular. In this way, you do not need several different types of shoes at the same time, but can simply wear your casual shoes.
This is particularly good, for example, if you are going on a trip and can only take a limited number of pieces of luggage and weight with you. If you then want to stroll through the old town during your holiday and go on a simple hike on another day, you can easily wear the casual shoes in both situations. Casual shoes are therefore ideal for many everyday situations. However, if you want to hike in the mountains and difficult terrain or run a marathon, hiking shoes or running shoes are of course better. It therefore always depends on what you intend to do. However, it is important for all shoes that they fit exactly. In this article we give you helpful tips and you will learn how to find the perfect size and fit.
Finding the right size shoes for leisure time – helpful tips
You have probably already experienced that shoes do not fit you in your actual size. Often this is because sizes vary a bit from brand to brand. With one brand, a 38 fits and with another you need a 39. Not only the shoe sizes can be different, but also the size of your feet. Not everyone has the same size right and left foot. In extreme cases, the difference from one foot to the other can even be a whole shoe size.
It is therefore advisable to always try on both shoes when buying. This is the only way to ensure that the entire pair fits. If there is a slight difference in size or width, you can compensate for this with a sole or buy a shoe half a size larger. As a rule, you can always use the thumb test when buying. You should still have a thumb’s breadth of space in front of the big toe up to the tip of the shoe. This applies to all closed-toe shoes such as hiking shoes, sports shoes or all-purpose leisure shoes, such as those offered by Jacalu. With shoes that are cut out in the instep, the situation is a little different. In ballerinas, pumps or slippers, your toes should be closer to the tip of the shoe, otherwise you won’t have a good grip in open-toed shoes.
Are the shoes the right length and width? Here’s how to find out
If you want to check whether the shoes you have chosen are the right length, you should not only test them while sitting, but also while standing and walk a few steps in the shop. In this way, the entire body weight rests on the shoes and you get an idea of how much the foot will shift forward in the shoe when wearing it. If your toes then hit the toe cap, the shoes are too short. If you don’t have any support in your shoes, then the shoe is too wide overall or on the back of your foot. In either case, you should try a different size.
In addition to the length, the width is also crucial for the right fit. If the width is not correct, this can be the reason for uncomfortable shoes. However, the foot width should not be confused with the width, because it describes the circumference, i.e. instep height and foot width. How length and width are related can easily be misleading. People with narrow or wide feet in particular often buy the wrong shoes based on this information. Not only can this damage your shoes, it can also damage your feet.
Avoid common mistakes when buying shoes
Many people believe that leather shoes stretch far more than they actually do. Although the leather gives a little in comparison to other materials, its stretchability is limited. So if you buy a leather shoe and hope that it will continue to grow, you are walking around with shoes that are too tight. This can lead to foot pain and broken shoes. With open shoes, the pressure can also injure the skin. In order not to buy shoes that are too small, many people switch to shoes that are too big. These feel more comfortable at first, but do not provide a good grip.
People with very narrow feet in particular tend to buy shoes that are too small. The leather can stretch to a certain extent to the side, but not to the front. The toes are therefore compressed in shoes that are too small. If the shoe size is correct, but not the width, creases can form. These ensure that the leather and the seams of the shoes are damaged. Therefore, when buying shoes, pay attention to the right size, width and length. If one of these factors is not correct, they are simply not the right shoes for you.