The majority of people wear shoes that are of incorrect size. This is according to Fawn Evenson, the director of the Footwear Industries of America. There are two errors you’re likely to make when shopping for your shoes: either the pair in question end up running too small for your feet or too large for your foot.
Generally speaking, most people tend to select shoes that are slightly tight for their feet. However, it’s similarly common to make a mistake of selecting shoes that are too large for their feet. It’s easy to know whether a shoe is small, but on the other hand, it takes time before you realize that the shoe is too large.
It’s common to find a nice pair of shoes, but unfortunately, it’s not available in the most precise size you’d like. If a pair goes too small, that’s a guarantee for pain. But on the flip side, what are the effects of wearing shoes that are too big.
In this whole thing of inspiration borrowing, most sites recommend that going bigger is certainly better than small when it comes to footwear. While we don’t recommend wearing shoes that are too big, there are various ways to get around big shoes, but to what extent can you shrink them? So in this post, we’re going to discuss the effects of having those ill-fitting shoes in your routine.
Effects of Wearing Shoes That are Too Big
Almost everyone is aware of the effects of wearing small shoes; blisters, bunions, and calluses are some of the common problems. However, big shoes also have their share of ailments:
According to podiatrists, big shoes are a contributing factor to the development of blisters. This condition is caused by a shearing force or sliding movement that occurs due to the shoes being too large for the feet.
Blisters are not exceptional issues when wearing tight shoes. Big shoes will constantly rub your feet and create friction. The same case applies to blood blisters, which occurs under the toes, creating friction and blisters.
Wearing big shoes can also interfere with your natural stride. That means you might end up walking in a dysfunctional way, your heels easily slipping out. You might also contract your toes every time this happens, leading to foot ailments such as hammertoes and bunions.
One interesting study examined a group of runners who wore too large shoes for their feet and individual muscle activity and forces. The results showed that shoes longer than appropriate size caused increased inactivity of the calf muscle and less propulsive force.
This is particularly common among individuals who wear too-large shoes, where they experience Achilles tendon problems.
Shoes that are too long can result in pain and inflammation in the ball of the foot. The condition is commonly known as metatarsalgia. Moreover, it seems absurd to wear shoes that are too wide or too long as they lead to excessive side-to-side movements in the shoe.
Although tight-fitting shoes are the common cause, big unsupportive footwear can also aggravate this problem. It’s essential to seek medical attention as the pain can be paralyzing and contribute to Morton’s toe syndrome (interdigital neuritis).
Wearing shoes that are too big, especially heels, can trigger the development of foot corn. It is a condition that develops due to constant pressure on the forefoot.
Too large shoes also increase the chances of falling around because they don’t provide adequate support. They make your feet slide around inside, which could subside the overall stability. This can be disastrous when you need to walk up or downstairs.
For runners, too big shoes will potentially lead to low performance. And since they don’t provide much support, more pressure will be exerted on the calf muscles, reducing the compelling forward force.
Large shoes also leave you vulnerable to a plethora of painful conditions such as arch pain, Achilles tendonitis, and neuromas. Wrong size shoes can even affect the entire body, including knees, back, and neck.
Also Read: Does Stretching Shoes With Ice Work?
What is the Perfect Fit?
Shoes with proper fit offer adequate support in the toe section for wiggling but not gliding inside. Furthermore, they should be snug and provide good ankle and knee support without rubbing your heels or causing blisters.
In case your feet fall between sizes, you can ideally use tools to help break them in or at least alter the fit to create a suitable, personalized shoe. Presumably, the only time you should wear something bigger than your feet is when buying a sneaker- though you should only go for half a size up.
This may be reasonable considering that our feet tend to swell as the fluid accumulates due to gravity, especially with extended standing and weight-bearing performances.
Selecting a sneaker that is slightly larger than your foot promotes circulation, which reduces swelling. If one of your feet feels slightly larger than the other, always go for the upper option. It’s also important to consider the type of socks you’re wearing alongside the shoes.
At the end of the day, the point is to make your feet comfortable, supported, pain-free, and unrestricted.
The Bottom Line
All of the risks for choosing the correct shoe size can be attributed to the consumer. Buyer be aware. As you already know, shoe sizing varies from one brand to another.
Despite the universal labeling, there’s no guarantee that a size 8 Nike shoe is entirely the same as size 9 Adidas, Asics, or New Balance. Every manufacturer uses different foot molds to design their shoes. It’s not a surprise to find a varied sizing from the same manufacturer. This is because shoe manufacturers typically produce shoes in different parts of the world.
A good place to start when shopping for your shoes is using a shoe-measuring device to ascertain the most precise fit. In particular, this helps in identifying the foot width or when shopping online. Still and all, the final decision requires a self-assessment of the fit. Have the shoe on your foot to determine whether the size and the shape are appropriate.