Buying shoes when your feet have differente sizes?

[tuna roll]

(I couldn't find anything related on previous posts so here we are)

Hi all! New member looking for advice.

So my right foot is a size 8 and my left is 8.5 (considering Alden sizes). I had them measured my different people and the difference is always the same (about 5-6mm in length).

This of course make trying and buying shoes a challenge. With laced shoes and boots I can get by with a 8.5 - the right shoe feels a bit roomy, I adjust the lacing, kinda works but not ideal. With loafers it's worse - it's either a 8.5 with heel slippage on the right shoe, or a 8 with cramped toes in the left shoe.

I'm looking at a few MTM / bespoke makers but also wondering if there's any way to make RTW shoes better for me. Could a cobbler take a 8.5 shoe and add something to the inside heel or toe area, making it fit like a size 8? I guess then I could use this for my right foot and wear the unaltered 8.5 shoe on my left foot. Any alternatives?

Thanks!

 

[notdos]

A google search suggests that unless the size difference is 1 1/2 sizes, just buy the larger size. However, split sizes are sometimes available. See here:
https://www.healthyfeetstore.com/blogs/blog-post/shoes-for-different-sized-feet-different-shoe-sizes#:~:text=If%20your%20feet%20have%20more%20than%20a%201%201%2F2,in%20the%20smaller%20foot's%20shoe.

Phillip

 

[tuna roll]

A google search suggests that unless the size difference is 1 1/2 sizes, just buy the larger size. However, split sizes are sometimes available. See here:
https://www.healthyfeetstore.com/blogs/blog-post/shoes-for-different-sized-feet-different-shoe-sizes#:~:text=If%20your%20feet%20have%20more%20than%20a%201%201%2F2,in%20the%20smaller%20foot's%20shoe.

Phillip

Thanks. I'll probably just buy the larger size and see how it goes. I just realized most of my shoes are sized to the smaller foot, which was probably a bad decision.

A 1 1/2 size difference sounds crazy, I'm already bothered by my 0.5 size difference...

 

[ppk]

(I couldn't find anything related on previous posts so here we are)

Hi all! New member looking for advice.

So my right foot is a size 8 and my left is 8.5 (considering Alden sizes). I had them measured my different people and the difference is always the same (about 5-6mm in length).

This of course make trying and buying shoes a challenge. With laced shoes and boots I can get by with a 8.5 - the right shoe feels a bit roomy, I adjust the lacing, kinda works but not ideal. With loafers it's worse - it's either a 8.5 with heel slippage on the right shoe, or a 8 with cramped toes in the left shoe.

I'm looking at a few MTM / bespoke makers but also wondering if there's any way to make RTW shoes better for me. Could a cobbler take a 8.5 shoe and add something to the inside heel or toe area, making it fit like a size 8? I guess then I could use this for my right foot and wear the unaltered 8.5 shoe on my left foot. Any alternatives?

Thanks!

I'm in a very similar situation. My right is (US) 8.5 and my left is 9. I usually end up with buying 9s and then either using an insole or heel pads in my right shoe. However, this doesn't work for loafers. I have been getting 8.5 loafers and that seems to work for *SOME* brands and lasts.

 

[tuna roll]

I'm in a very similar situation. My right is (US) 8.5 and my left is 9. I usually end up with buying 9s and then either using an insole or heel pads in my right shoe. However, this doesn't work for loafers. I have been getting 8.5 loafers and that seems to work for *SOME* brands and lasts.

Loafers are definitely the trickiest shoes to get a good fit for me. Mine are all 8’s (sized for my smaller foot, like you) but I hate feeling my crammed toes on the left foot.

Maybe I’ll go bespoke for loafers and RTW for other models.

Do you have a cobbler install the heel pads? Or buy the sticker ones and install yourself?

 

[ppk]

I install them myself. They are a bit tricky at first. They are so sticky that if you don't position them correctly, you have to peel them off and usually throw them away. Once you do it a few times, it's easier.

Let's us know about your bespoke experience with the loafers.

 

[tuna roll]

Let's us know about your bespoke experience with the loafers.

Will do! I’d love to order one from Seiji McCarthy, love the design. Just need to figure out if I can visit Tokyo or one of his trunk show cities in the US in the right time frames.

 

[ppk]

Will do! I’d love to order one from Seiji McCarthy, love the design. Just need to figure out if I can visit Tokyo or one of his trunk show cities in the US in the right time frames.

Yes! I love his work. Looking forward to it.

 

[breakaway01]

Two things you can try: I find that adhesive tongue pads work better than heel pads to reduce heel slip. They push the foot backwards toward the heel cup. The next thing you can use is a thin insole to reduce volume in the shoe.

 

[tuna roll]

Two things you can try: I find that adhesive tongue pads work better than heel pads to reduce heel slip. They push the foot backwards toward the heel cup. The next thing you can use is a thin insole to reduce volume in the shoe.

I’ll try those, thanks.

 

[bjornb17]

My right foot is half a size bigger so I just buy the bigger size. I don't wear any pads or anything on the left foot to accommodate. Seems like once the shoes break in they fit just fine without any aids.

 

[tuna roll]

My right foot is half a size bigger so I just buy the bigger size. I don't wear any pads or anything on the left foot to accommodate. Seems like once the shoes break in they fit just fine without any aids.

Thanks, I'll try buying my larger size. I realized most of my shoes are either sized to the smaller foot, or somewhere in between, which was probably a bad decision. So apparently I have made the issue bigger than it really is, lol

 

[bjornb17]

Thanks, I'll try buying my larger size. I realized most of my shoes are either sized to the smaller foot, or somewhere in between, which was probably a bad decision. So apparently I have made the issue bigger than it really is, lol

If it makes you feel better I bought a couple pairs of MTO shoes based on my left foot measurement. I learned the hard way that my right foot was bigger. Had to sell those at a loss and had to re-purchase at the larger size. Oops hahaha

 

[tuna roll]

If it makes you feel better I bought a couple pairs of MTO shoes based on my left foot measurement. I learned the hard way that my right foot was bigger. Had to sell those at a loss and had to re-purchase at the larger size. Oops hahaha

hahah I could see myself doing that. It took me a long time (and many shoe purchases) to realize the size difference. Actually someone from Alden Madison pointed it out while measuring my feet - he made sure to measure both, kudos to him.