Choosing the correct shoe size is essential for maintaining healthy feet. While there are reliable ways to determine whether your shoes fit properly, there are also many inaccurate methods that can lead to discomfort and foot problems. Finding the right shoe size is more complex than most people realize. You’ve likely heard of certain “quick tricks” that claim to help you determine your shoe size—especially when you’re in a hurry and don’t want to try on multiple pairs. However, many of these shortcuts can be misleading. Below are four common tricks you should avoid when judging shoe size.

“Tricks” You Should Avoid When Shoe Shopping

Bring a Foot Tracing With You

The concept is simple: you trace your foot on a piece of paper and use that outline to check whether a shoe might fit. If the shoe appears smaller than the tracing, there’s no point in trying it on—and that part is true.

However, just because a shoe matches your tracing on paper doesn’t mean it will fit properly in real life. You could still end up with shoes that are too tight, shaped incorrectly for your foot, or even much too large.

2.) The Forearm Shoe Size Test

You may have heard the claim that your foot is the same length as your forearm. While this might be true for some people, it’s a common misconception that many rely on when shoe shopping.

Even if your foot and forearm happen to be the same length, placing a shoe against your forearm only helps estimate length. It tells you nothing about width, which is an equally important factor to consider when choosing a properly fitting shoe.

3.) Using Thick Socks to Test Shoe Size

Some people suggest wearing thicker socks when trying on shoes to ensure a proper fit, assuming that if the shoes fit with thick socks, they’ll work even better with thinner ones.

However, this approach can backfire and leave you with shoes that are too large. For the best fit, you should always try on shoes with the type of socks you plan to wear most often with them.

4.)Judging Shoe Size by Comparing Pairs

Another shortcut we recommend avoiding is comparing two different shoes to determine fit. While this method may give you a rough idea of size, it doesn’t account for differences in materials, construction, or overall shape.

Instead of relying on these tricks, the best way to find the right shoe size is to try the shoes on and pay attention to how they actually feel on your feet.

5.)Get in Touch With Our Grand Rapids Shoe Store

Go the extra step and ensure the shoe is made specifically for you, which is what Leather Zone Footwear can offer. Our services include custom shoe fitting and offering customers custom sizes on the specifics of their feet. Get in touch with our footwear specialists here or call our office at (616) 226-2600 for more information.