Have you made ever made a purchase on slippers that you were sure would fit you well, only to discover on the first day you put them on that they are too tight or too big when it is too late to return them or exchange them? Unfortunately, this is a recurring problem for both men and women, and you find yourself having to adjust to shoes that simply don’t fit appropriately, which could lead to several foot problems. Read on for more information about slipper sizing to potentially help you on your next purchase.
What size slippers should I buy? Depending on the brand as well as design, slippers come in a wide variety of sizes that are meant to cater to the different sizes of feet. Slipper sizes are more or less the same as those of normal shoes, but in some cases, they can be a little larger since the fit is made to be loose and relaxed.
If you are buying your slippers at your local store, you will be able to have them fitted. Opt to get fitted late in the afternoon when your feet are already expanded. If you intend to buy closed shoes, bring along a pair of socks with you to ensure that the slippers still fit snugly. Walk around with the slippers and flex your feet to see if they will be comfortable. If you are buying your slippers online, ensure that you measure your feet before using a sizing chart which may be provided. To confirm that the sizing is accurate, read the reviews posted by previous customers to see if there are complaints regarding the accuracy of sizing.
Wearing slippers that don’t fit is never advisable since it can lead to a variety of foot problems as well as limit the activities you can take part in. Many people usually end up purchasing the wrong size slippers since they either don’t have their correct measurements.
Importance of wearing the proper slipper size
Whether you spend a significant portion of your day in slippers or you just wear them at the end of the day when you get home from work, it is important to ensure that you by the right size slippers. Wearing footwear of the wrong size can lead to several problems:
Foot conditions
Here are some of the most common foot problems:
- Corns and calluses – Corns and calluses typically occur when you wear closed-toe slippers that rub against your feet. Calluses and corns typically develop on areas of the feet where there is constant friction, including the toes and the heels of the feet. When you wear slippers that are too loose or too tight, these areas of the feet will be subjected to continuous rubbing, hence leading to corns and calluses.
- Morton’s neuroma – Morton’s neuroma is an excruciating condition which affects the ball of the foot, most frequently the area between your toes. It tends to develop as a result of pressure, irritation, or injury to one of the nerves which lead to the toes. The resulting response causes the nerve tissue to thicken. Many of those who are afflicted by this condition wear narrow footwear, including slippers.
- Metatarsalgia – This is a condition that causes inflammation and pain in the ball of the foot. The pain that results from this condition worsens when you walk or flex your feet. It can result from wearing ill-fitting footwear, including slippers.
Tripping or clumsiness
When you wear slippers that are too big for your feet, you will be constantly struggling to keep them on, thereby increasing the chances of you tripping and consequently falling. This could result in potentially serious injuries which could have been avoided if you wore the correct size slippers.
Reduced quality of life
Wearing ill-fitting slippers can be very limiting. You will find that due to the discomfort that you experience when your shoes are too small or too big, you won’t be able to walk as far and as quickly as you want to or dance for as long as you want to. Wearing the wrong size slippers forces you to avoid activities that you enjoy to reduce the pain you are feeling. These are compromises you wouldn’t even have to think about if you have the right size slippers.
Buying slippers in the store
When buying slippers from your local store, you can easily have your feet measured by one of the attendants to determine the appropriate size for you. You also have the opportunity to try on a variety of slipper sizes before settling on a pair. Here are some tips on choosing the right size:
- Try as much as possible to do your shopping later in the day when your feet are slightly wider than normal.
- If you intend to buy closed slippers such as loafers, you will want to bring along a pair of socks with you – they should be as thick as the ones you plan to wear the slippers with. The slippers should fit comfortably with the socks on.
- Walk around the fitting area with the slippers on, flexing your feet as much as possible. If the slippers feel too rigid, then they will probably not break-in as well as you expect.
- If the shoes that you want to buy are slightly big when you try them on, try wearing them with insoles.
Shopping for slippers online
When buying slippers online, it can be quite hard to determine if the slipper you order will fit right once you have it – after all, there are too many horror stories of footwear being too big or too small.
Tips on choosing slippers online
Some of the factors to keep in mind when choosing a pair of slippers online include:
- Foot length – It is important to be aware of the size of your feet, so you should always measure their length. Once you determine how long your feet are, you will be able to find the designer’s size chart which will make it easier to order your slippers in the correct size.
- The shape of your foot and the slipper – When browsing for slippers online, it is important to pay attention to the design of the slipper you intend to buy. For slippers that feature a pointed front part, go for a size that is just above your own since the slipper itself is going to be a bit smaller. If your feet are particularly wide, you may be better off avoiding pointed slippers or slippers that have a seam at the part of your foot that is the widest.
- Half sizes – In some cases, people have half-sized feet. If you fall into this category, go for slippers from brands that include half-sizes in their size chart.
- Seasonality – You may also want to pay attention to the seasons when purchasing slippers. In the summer, your feet are likely to be swollen and even slightly larger in some cases.
Taking measurements of your feet
Always take measurements of your feet after a full day of walking since being on your feet can cause the size of your feet to increase slightly. Additionally, since the size of your foot tends to change over time, it is important to take measurements of your foot before you make a purchase. Here are some tips on how you can measure your feet. You will need paper, tape, a ruler, and a pen/pencil.
- The first step is to tape the piece of paper to the floor. Avoid the carpet or any other irregular surfaces.
- Place your foot flat on the paper. Unless you plan to wear your slippers barefoot, you will want to measure your feet with socks on.
- Make a mark in front of your big toe and another behind your heel. Do this for both feet.
- Use the ruler to measure the distance between the two marks in centimeters or inches and write it down.
- Compare the measurements of your feet to the measurements on the provided chart to determine the figure that matches your slippers length.
- If you notice that the measurements you get fall between two sizes, your best option is to round up.
- Keep in mind that women and men use different sizes, so use the correct chart. Different countries use different sizes as well.
Reading the reviews posted by verified customers
Other than matching up your foot size to the provided chart size, you can also go through the reviews of customers who have had an experience with the slippers you intend to buy. This will help you determine if the slippers run too small or too big and to see if you will need to make adjustments.
Final Thoughts
When buying slippers, you always want a pair that will allow you some room to wiggle your toes if they are closed. You can also try sticking your finger between the heel of your shoe and the heel of your foot, and if you find that you can slide your finger in with a little space to spare, you will probably have to go down half a size. If your finger fails to fit comfortably, go up half a size.