Do you find yourself counting down the days until sandal season each year. Slipping into a pair of comfortable walking sandals can be a liberating experience, especially if you’ve been wearing ankle boots, trainers or other closed-toe styles all winter.
Summer is the time to let your feet take a breather. And yet, if your sandals don’t fit correctly, you could be left with chronic discomfort, pain or any number of foot problems. Whether you’re busting out the sliders, feeling good in flip flops, rummaging around for wedge heels at the back of your wardrobe or thinking about shopping for a new pair, proper fit is essential.
So, how should sandals fit? As a leading supplier of innovative, orthotic footwear, Vionic specialises in helping people find comfortable shoes that fit properly. We’re dedicated to
providing our customers with the sizing tools they need to find their perfect pair of shoes for each foot size. Keep reading to learn how sandals should fit and how to shop for the right pair.
While it’s important to avoid shoes that are loose on your feet, there’s a possibility you may go up at least a half size in sandals. Your whole foot should sit within the sole of your sandals when you stand upright. There is a reason why sandals should be comfortable and provide arch support.
Signs your sandals are too small include:
• Your heels protrude over the back
• One or some of your toes extend or hang over the front or side
• The straps dig into your heels, toes, or any other part of your foot
• You have the straps adjusted to the largest setting
• You suffer from blisters, calluses, ingrown toenails or heel spurs
• Your feet hurt during or after wearing them
How Should Sandals Fit at the Back and Front?
When it comes to sandals and flip flops, the way they fit at the back and front is crucial. If your heels extend past the soles in the back, the straps will likely cut into your skin, which can be
painful and restrict circulation. Additionally, a portion of your foot won’t be protected by the sole. The same goes for your toes in the front. Without that added protection of a toe box, it’s only a matter of time before you injure your toes. And if you’re wondering if flip flops are bad for your feet, the answer is yes, they can be, if you’re not wearing flip flops that fit correctly and provide support.
Your foot shouldn’t hang over the sole on any side of your sandal and you should also be aware that you can expect this to change throughout the day, as your feet expand, as you transition from standing to sitting.
Don’t Fear a Larger Sandal Size
Going up a half a size with sandals will provide you with adequate wiggle room for the perfect shoe fit. Of course, you don’t want too much wiggle room, but that extra third or fifth of an inch will go a long way. You’ll be able to walk around comfortably for hours on end while avoiding foot pain and discomfort.
It’s worth making sure that the brand of sandal you are buying has a good returns policy, like Vionic, which has a 30-day guarantee, which means that, if you’re not satisfied with the results within the first 30 days of wearing your new Vionic shoes, you can return them for a full product refund, even if you have worn them outside!
FINDING YOUR CORRECT SHOE SIZE AND WIDTH
When sandals are too small, the ankle strap can dig into your feet and you might end up with a stubbed toe, an ingrown toenail or another painful condition. While it may be better to go with a larger pair of sandals, sandals that are way too large present their own list of foot problems.
Your feet can slip around in the shoe, which may strain your ankles and calves and impact your posture. Loose shoes can also slide off your feet and cause an injury or rub on your skin, which may lead to blisters and calluses.
That being said, a 2018 study published in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Research found that wearing shoes that are too small is much more common than wearing a pair that’s too big. To find sandals that are good for your feet and fit correctly, you’ve got to measure your feet.
Measuring Your Feet for Sandals
If you’ve measured your feet in the past or think you know your shoe size, we still suggest measuring every so often. According to the Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, as many as two-thirds of people wear the wrong size. This includes improper shoe length and width, so measuring both is crucial.
When you measure your feet for sandals, we recommend doing so in the evening. This is because feet tend to expand throughout the day, which can often result in different measurements at night than in the morning. Do you ever think your shoes fit better in the morning? This is the reason.
To find your shoe size and width:
1. Grab a measuring tape or ruler, a pen, and a large piece of paper
2. Place the paper on your floor — preferably the flattest area you can find — and step onto it
3. Slowly trace the perimeter of each foot. Bear in mind that when you wear sandals, the entire perimeter should fit inside the To get the right size, make sure you can see the whole outline of each foot when you look down.
4. Using your measuring tape or ruler, carefully measure the length and width of your feet, and record the numbers. The length is measured from the tip of your longest toe to the edge of your heel, and the width is a straight line between the broadest section of your foot
If one of your feet is longer or wider than the other, measure again to make sure. But don’t be alarmed if one is a half size or so larger than the other, as this is very common. To get your current shoe size and width, compare your measurements to an online size chart.
Have you been wearing the wrong size? Don’t be too hard on yourself. Moving forward, just be sure to only buy shoes in the proper size and measure your feet again every few years to find the right shoe and perfect fit for you.
PRIORITISE COMFORT AND ARCH SUPPORT
While the most important thing is getting the right size and width, you’ll want to find a pair of sandals with a comfortable footbed and arch support.
It can be disheartening when you realise that the stylish sandals you bought hurt your feet. We’ve all been there! It’s easy to forget comfort in favour of fashion. But in all reality, you don’t have to! You can rock chic sandals and classic flip flops with arch support and contoured comfort, all hidden within the shoe.
Every pair of Vionic shoes features our exclusive, cutting-edge comfort Vio Motion Support technology. What this means is that biomechanical arches, contoured heel seats, and comfy, cushioned soles are embedded into each shoe. The best part is that our innovative orthotics are completely concealed.
Vionic sandals and shoes are designed to prevent:
• Plantar fasciitis
• Morton’s neuroma
• Overpronation
• Heel spurs
• Chronic heel pain
• Blisters and calluses
• Ingrown toenails
• Stubbed toes
• Injuries caused by ill-fitting footwear
In a peer-reviewed study, participants with heel pain who wore Vionic contoured sandals for 12 weeks experienced more pain relief than those who wore standard flip flops. Not only that, but Vionic sandals were shown to provide as much relief as our best-selling arch support inserts. In other words, if you need orthotics, you aren’t stuck with closed-toe shoes and inserts. You can wear sandals, too!
Ever wondered how to avoid feet swelling in sandals?
A long day of standing or walking can lead to swelling in your feet and legs and you should take regular rest breaks to give your feet puppies a breather. If your feet have swollen, you might like to keep them elevated, ideally above the height of your heart to get your circulation flowing again. The swelling should go away overnight while you’re sleeping.
Three things to look for in a good pair of shoes are arch support, cushioning and shock absorption. Poorly fitting, cramped shoes or sandals can lead to swollen feet. Straps digging into your ankle or your toes being squashed together restricts the movement of fluids, leading to swollen or belated feet.
If you’ve gained extra weight, during pregnancy, for example, this can also lead to swollen feet. When you’re pregnant, your body produces 50% more blood and fluids. This can cause your feet to expand in size so you are better off wearing good-fitting, comfortable shoes and elevating your feet when you can.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that foot swelling can be caused by a circulation disorder such as varicose veins or other conditions, so it’s important to make an appointment with a doctor, if you suspect swelling isn’t caused by ill-fitting shoes or weight gain for example.
Orthotic Sandals from Vionic
This summer, don’t deprive yourself of properly fitting sandals. You don’t have to deny yourself fashionable footwear, either. The orthotic collection from Vionic includes stylish, flattering sandals for women. When you browse our selection, you’ll find comfortable shoes for work, the beach, brunch, barbecues, special events, holidays and anywhere else you’re heading.
This includes supportive flip flops with iconic silhouettes, platform espadrilles and wedge heels with arch support, ankle-strap sandals, comfortable slides and toe-post sandals. We offer whole and half sizes, as well as medium and wide width shoes. Whether you are in search of flat sandals for women or heeled styles, we have the perfect shoe for you!
You shouldn’t walk around with unprotected feet this season, even if your toes will be feeling the breeze. With the right sandal size and width, you’ll feel comfortable, confident, and ready for any activity and occasion.
Are you ready to take your sandal-wearing experience up a notch? Browse our collection to find the best orthotic sandals in season now, including the best sandals for plantar fasciitis and other foot problems.