We’ve all had that pair of sneakers that just don’t feel right. Either they’re loose and slip off, or they’re tight and can rub your toes raw.
When you first try sneakers on, it’s easy to spot the extremes. But the real challenge is knowing when the fit is truly right, and that’s where most people get stuck.
But how should sneakers fit? Glad you asked.
In today’s article. In today’s article, I’m going to walk you through exactly how sneakers should fit, step by step. And I’ve picked up a bunch of practical little tips over the years to help you land that sweet spot.
By the way, if you’re curious about Thursday sneakers specifically, I’ve got a Thursday sneaker sizing guide that’s worth checking out.
How Should Sneakers Fit
To make it simple, I’m going to split it up into four aspects:
- Front
- Back
- Heel slippage
- Width
Front Fit
Here’s what I do: put on the socks you actually wear with sneakers (this matters more than people think), slide your foot in, lace up, and stand, and see how much space you have at the front.
You want about a thumb’s width (roughly half an inch or 12.7 millimeters) between your longest toe and the edge of the sneaker. By the way, your longest toe is not always your big toe.
This little bit of space lets your toes move and spread out naturally when you walk. Your toes should not be restricted or crammed up, especially as you’re toeing off.
Related: Wonder how climbing shoes should fit? Give it a read!
Back Fit
Check if your ankle feels snug and comfy, with the ankle bone sitting comfortably against the wall of the shoe. The ankle collar should be low enough so that it does not dig into your ankle bone.
The heel counter should secure your heel, and there shouldn’t be huge gaps or tightness against the back of your heel.
Here’s a quick trick: try sliding your index finger between your heel and the back of the shoe. You should have about 1/8 of an inch or 3.175 millimeters.
If it fits snugly, it’s a good indication that the fit is just right. If it’s too tight where you can barely insert your index finger or you’re forcing a way in, those sneakers are too snug, and you might need a larger size.
But if you can wiggle your finger freely without really touching either the heel or the shoe, that’s a big warning sign that your sneakers are too big and you need to get a smaller size.
Heel Slippage
Another indicator of a good fit at the back is slippage. When your heel is slipping when you’re walking around, that’s a sign that your shoes might be too large for you. You want the heel to stay put without strangling your foot.
Width
Sneaker width is an aspect many people overlook, and this is where a lot of people mess up. Feet come in all shapes and sizes: wide, medium, and narrow.
Make sure the widest part of your foot aligns with the widest part of your sneakers. If you’re feeling any squeezing or pressure on the sides of your foot, it’s a sign that your sneakers might be too small or narrow.
If this happens, try going up a size and see if it helps. And if that doesn’t fix the problem, you want to try another brand that fits you better width-wise, especially if the brand doesn’t offer wide versions of their sneakers.
Also, make sure you don’t have too much width in the front because otherwise, your foot’s going to slide around a ton, and it’s going to be uncomfortable.
If you have too much width, you’re going to have to work your foot muscles a lot harder to try to keep the foot from moving around too much in the shoe and keep yourself stabilized.
Not only that, but if you can easily pinch the material across the toe box, it’s a clear sign that the shoe is too wide for you. The toe box should have a bit of give for your toes to breathe without feeling tight around your toes or across the top of your foot.
In summary, you want the laces to fasten you into a nice, firm heel counter; you don’t want that heel counter digging up into your ankle bones both laterally and medially, and you want plenty of room for your toes to spread out comfortably.
With that out of the way, these are tips you don’t want to miss when it comes to getting the best-fitting sneakers…
Sneaker Fitting Tips
Please, Measure Your Feet
Nothing works better than a 127-year-old Brannock device that measures:
- Heel to toe
- Heel to ball
- The width of your foot.
Measure the length and width of your foot, but also check the instep and arch of your foot. Some of these factors are more important than others, but it’s good to know your starting point for where you should be buying sneakers.
Try in Store
I think this is the most important move to make. If the sneakers you’re looking for are available in-store, head there and try them on to ensure you get the best-fitting sneakers before committing your hard-earned cash, no matter how badly you crave them.
Once you’ve found the perfect fit, you can always purchase the right size online if it’s cheaper.
Another mistake that many people tend to make is that they don’t consider the thickness of the socks when they’re purchasing a pair of shoes…
Bring Your Socks
Don’t forget to bring along the socks you plan to wear with your sneakers when trying them on. If you don’t try your sneakers on with the right pair of socks, they might end up being tighter or looser.
For example, if you’re wearing winter boots, you’re most definitely going to be pairing them with thick socks that are made out of wool, while sneakers usually pair up with thinner socks.
Likewise, when you’re trying on your dress shoes, try them with dress socks, which are typically a little thinner.
Stand Up When Trying Sneakers
Here’s what most people do:
They sit down, try on their sneakers, and everything seems perfect. Feeling satisfied, they make the purchase. However, the next day, reality hits as they find the shoes don’t fit quite the same as they did in the store.
Here’s what you should do instead:
Always stand up when trying on sneakers. When you’re upright, there’s an even distribution of force down to your feet, which actually causes your feet to be wider when you’re standing up compared to when you’re seated.
So, when you’re trying on shoes, don’t rush the process. Walk around in the store and be sure that your sneakers are actually comfortable and have no signs of rubbing or chafing.
Try on Sneakers in the Evening
Try to measure your feet and plan your sneaker shopping towards the end of the day, preferably in the evening.
This is because your feet tend to swell throughout the day as you walk or stand up all day, so be sure to try on the shoes when your feet are the largest, which is often in the evening.
Fun fact: Many people aren’t aware that their feet aren’t identical in size…
All Feet are Not Created Equal
Many people assume their feet are the same size, but that’s often not true. I guarantee that if you measure your feet, you’ll likely find that one foot is larger, wider, or has a different arch than the other.
Research shows that around 60% of adults have one foot that’s wider and/or longer than the other
Be sure to get both feet measured, and then base your shoe size on the longer foot. Starting with the smaller foot can lead to discomfort, as the shoe for the larger foot may end up being too small.
A Bit Looser is Better Than Tighter
When in doubt, always get the shoe size that’s a little looser rather than one that’s tighter.
Sometimes, one size might fit you a little bit tighter, and if you size up one size, this size might fit you just a little bit looser.
If they don’t offer half sizes, always get the looser size. If the pair of sneakers is a little bit looser, you can still tighten up the shoelaces, put an insole or wear a thicker pair of socks to make it fit better, whereas if the pair of shoes is a little bit tight, there’s nothing much you can do about it and you might just end up not wearing it at all.
Sizing is Not Consistent on Sneaker Brands
It might surprise you to know that most brands have their own unique sizing standards. Some brands offer wider options, while others tend to run narrower. This means that an 11 in Converse might not fit the same as an 11 in Nike shoes.
For example, I’m wearing:
- US 10 for Converse Chucks Purcell
- US 9 for Converse Chuck Taylors
- US 10 for Adidas NMDs
- US 9.5 for Adidas Stan Smith
You get the point.
Even within the same sneaker brand, sizing can vary. For instance, with Nike, I’ve experienced that sometimes a size 9 fits perfectly, while other times I need a 9.5, and in some snug models, even a 10.
So, if you don’t know these sneaker models intimately enough, you might end up with the wrong size even if it’s the same size you’ve worn before from the same brand.
Next, don’t count on stretching…
Won’t Sneakers Stretch?
Have you ever been told by a salesperson that your shoes will magically expand and stretch over time? This usually applies only to leather shoes and boots. But even then, the expansion is minimal and won’t miraculously transform uncomfortable shoes into comfortable ones.
Don’t fall into the trap of buying sneakers expecting them to fit better after “breaking them in.” Sneakers should feel comfortable right out of the box. If they don’t, they’re unlikely to ever feel right.
Ask Around
Let’s say you want a pair of Yeezys but have never tried them on before. It’s a good idea to gather insights on how they fit from others.
Head to platforms like Instagram and engage in the comment section. Ask questions like: Do they fit true to size? Are they larger or smaller than expected?
Getting various opinions on sizing from different people can be valuable, especially for a significant investment like Yeezys.
That being said, not everybody’s right. Somebody else who has the same size foot theoretically might not fit the shoe the same way. So, it’s important that you get multiple opinions from different people.
Reach Out to the Brand
I think sneaker brands really need to be more uniform on how they size their sneakers, but it is what it is.
For instance, Adidas had Primeknit versions of the NMDs that ran half a size larger than the regular versions, and LeBron’s Primeknit editions were notably snug.
So, sometimes, you have to take matters into your own hands and reach out directly to brands for sizing clarification. Nike and Adidas often have chat support where you can ask specific questions about their sizing.
Sneaker Sizing FAQs
How do you know if sneakers fit properly?
Start by trying your sneakers on with your usual socks and make sure there’s about a thumb’s width (half an inch or 12.7 millimeters) between your longest toe and the shoe’s end for toe wiggle room. Check that your ankle sits snugly without rubbing, and ensure the heel counter secures your heel comfortably. Watch out for excessive heel slippage or squeezing at the sides, as these indicate improper fit. The sneakers should match the widest part of your feet comfortably.
How much space should I have in sneakers?
A good rule is to leave about a thumb’s width of space between your longest toe and the end of your sneaker. Also, you should be able to comfortably insert your finger between your heel and the back of the shoe for a proper fit.
Is it better for sneakers to be tight or loose?
Your sneakers shouldn’t feel tight or loose. Instead, they should fit comfortably snug. The heel should hug your foot securely, while the toe box should allow room for your toes to spread out comfortably.
However, if you must choose between a tight or loose fit, opt for a slightly looser sneaker as it’s generally more comfortable than a tight one.
Should sneakers feel tight at first?
No. Well-fitting shoes should feel comfortable from the moment you put them on. Avoid purchasing tight sneakers and expect them to stretch over time because they don’t.
How do you know if sneakers are too small?
You’ll know your sneakers are too small if:
- There’s no space between your toes and the front of the shoe.
- Your instep feels squeezed by the top of the sneaker.
- You can’t comfortably insert a finger between your heel and the back of the sneaker.
- Your toes are crammed up and lack room to move freely.
How do you know if sneakers are too big?
You’ll know your sneakers are too big if:
- Your heel slips out of the shoe as you walk.
- You can easily pinch excess material on the toe box.
- You have to tighten the laces significantly until there’s little to no space between the two sides of the lacing system.
- Your foot feels like it’s swimming inside the sneaker due to excess space.
Final Thoughts
Alright, folks, finding that perfect sneaker fit can be a bit of a puzzle, I get it. Starting with knowing your foot’s size and shape is important to getting closer to that ideal fit.
But let’s be real, it’s not always a guarantee that every pair will fit like a dream because brands and sizing can be all over the map.
That’s where our sneaker community comes in handy. Sharing experiences and tips on social media can be really helpful for others.
How sneakers should feel can totally make or break your day, so don’t rush the fitting process.
Got more questions or experiences to share about sneaker fitting? Drop them below.