Critical Fit Zones of The Foot in a Running Shoe - Foot Sizing

Foot length, arch length and forefoot width. – The first step to profiling the foot

Everyone knows their shoe size right..? Unfortunately, not. At Footpro, we see a number of people complaining of numbness in their feet, pins and needles in their toes, black toe nails and bruised toes that directly relate to running in shoes that are too small. On assessment, some people are running in shoes that are often a half to sometimes a full size smaller than what they should be.

‘Should’ be wearing is not an opinion either. It is an objective measurement taken on a proper foot-sizing tool like a Brannock device. When was the last time you actually had your feet measured correctly when buying a pair of running shoes? Rather than just being asked what size you are.

At Footpro we measure in euro sizing such as 42, 43, 44 etc. US sizing is the adopted size chart for running shoes in Australia. Unfortunately the footwear manufacturers have small variances in fit and footwear design which results in half to full size discrepancies from one brand to the next, hence our need to revert to the more standardized European sizing chart.

A lesser-known feature of the Brannock sizing device is its ability to accurately measure medial arch length and forefoot width. On either side of the device you will notice a sliding part. When the foot is placed correctly onto the device an accurate measurement of forefoot width and medial arch length can be achieved by moving the sliding parts into place and cross-referencing this information with the measured length of the foot.

We take foot sizing seriously at Footpro. Running shoes are designed to fit comfortably and not constrict the foot. Regularly we find foot injuries and associated issues that stem from incorrect shoe size, not a lack of support or lack of cushioning.