Are shoes half a size larger bad for you?

[derickyan]

i just checked with tw's shoe chart and im like in the middle of size 10.5 shoes and 11. i wanted to go with the larger size since a smaller size would hurt my foot. should i buy it or is it going to mess up my feet? if shoes are half size larger and you use a insole(I think that's what it's called) would it work?

 

[LeeD]

It would work, but it would not work correctly.
You need to keep your toes away from the front, yes. and correct width with good lacing can do that, along with an insole if the shoe is too tall or wide for your feet. Adding another pair of socks would also help, but often allows your feet to slide around inside the shoes....not good.
To keep you heel anchored, depending on the shape of your foot, your footbed should not be raised too much, as you'll raise your heel above the shoe's heel cup, and heel lift can be an issue. Solved with high tops.
Bigger shoes can also be too wide in some part, like the heel, the forefoot, or the instep. Fit is important because you're not only running forwards and backwards, but mostly laterally. Correct lacing should usually fix that.
But longer shoe, something you're not used to, can cause you to trip over the toes of the shoes when changing direction....not the best for grace and precision.
In the end, we get used to almost everything, so it worth the risk, if the price is good enough.

 

[moopie]

i just checked with tw's shoe chart and im like in the middle of size 10.5 shoes and 11. i wanted to go with the larger size since a smaller size would hurt my foot. should i buy it or is it going to mess up my feet? if shoes are half size larger and you use a insole(I think that's what it's called) would it work?

Luckily for us TW has free return shipping. I would buy both and keep the one that fits best.

Generally though if you're between sizes the recommendation is always to go with the bigger size. You can always wear 2 socks.

 

[Bartelby]

I'm not sure I'd worry too much about charts.

You always have to go up in shoes because you've got to allow for foot expansion under exercise and real conditions.

The only probem that may arise is that your arch will not seat properly if the shoe is too big, but length per se won't be an issue.

 

[derickyan]

Luckily for us TW has free return shipping. I would buy both and keep the one that fits best.

Generally though if you're between sizes the recommendation is always to go with the bigger size. You can always wear 2 socks.

thanks everyone. and wouldnt my feet sweat so bad in a game though? :?

 

[LeeD]

I probably wear my tennis shoes too long, but what was tight and solid has now become slopy and loose, after a year.. Soles are fine, still have the tread on wear spots.

 

[derickyan]

I probably wear my tennis shoes too long, but what was tight and solid has now become slopy and loose, after a year.. Soles are fine, still have the tread on wear spots.

so should i go for the smaller one stretch out the shoes? ahah

 

[WildVolley]

Too loose is a problem primarily when you can't tighten the shoe around the foot enough to stop it from sliding forward.

Most shoes are not shaped like feet and need extra room in the toe box. As long as you can keep your foot from slamming forward into the end of the shoe on hard stops, you won't lose toenails and should be better off by going up in size.

 

[The Meat]

I usually wear a .5 size larger than normal and just tie up the laces a little bit more tightly, don't really have any troubles with foot sliding. Better to slide than to jam your toenails in my opinion.

 

[LeeD]

And adding a high arched insole can actually shorten the length of your feet, so what would have touched the front doesn't with the insoles added.

 

[derickyan]

And adding a high arched insole can actually shorten the length of your feet, so what would have touched the front doesn't with the insoles added.

wow i didn't know it can shorten your feet

 

[LeeD]

It's a trick from the ski industry..or rather the ski boot industry.
Curve your foot, your foot get's shorter.

 

[derickyan]

Hey guys! This is kind of off topic but I was going to buy a shoe and my budget is tight right now and it came down to nike cb 3.3 or kswiss approach II. They're probably very different/not similar but which one is better or which one did you like? Thanks

 

[anubis]

I wear a size 8 shoe for everyday, casual wear. I wear a size 8.5 for playing tennis, and I wear a size 9 for running shoes when I run. It all depends on what my foot is doing I guess, that determines what kind of fit i need.

 

[cknobman]

Well every shoe (especially from different brands) will fit a little differently so I think you would just have to try them on to be sure.

BUT in general I say no.

I technically am a size 13.5 but that is a size not made for about 99% of all shoes out there so I almost always have to get a size 14.

For years I wore a size 13 and recently have developed a couple of bunionettes which I only learned what they were after going to a doctor who took xrays and told me. He actually told me that I have been wearing shoes to small for my feet.

So if anything I would say wearing shoes 1/2 size to small for your feet are bad for you.

 

[fundrazer]

I don't think so. I have not had any random injuries wearing a larger shoe. As long as it fits pretty well I think there should not be a problem. Could also wear thicker socks or an extra pair to help fill the shoe up a bit more.

I will go over the various shoe sizes I've worn without problems.

My road cycling shoe is a 10.25 wide (closest to my actual foot size)
Currently wear Breathe 2k10 10.5 for tennis
Have Asics GR2's in 11
Barricade 4 and 5's in 11.5

 

[T21D]

I usually wear a .5 size larger than normal and just tie up the laces a little bit more tightly, don't really have any troubles with foot sliding. Better to slide than to jam your toenails in my opinion.

true in every sense! plus you can double sock since it's only a quarter of an inch difference!

 

[3fees]

No, thats the rule of thumb for tennis shoes, 1/2 size larger so that you dont jamb your toes and go thru losing toe nails like a black friday sale at walmart.

 

[prjacobs]

Too loose is a problem primarily when you can't tighten the shoe around the foot enough to stop it from sliding forward.

Most shoes are not shaped like feet and need extra room in the toe box. As long as you can keep your foot from slamming forward into the end of the shoe on hard stops, you won't lose toenails and should be better off by going up in size.

I agree. I've lost too many toenails . I need the proper length but also something narrow enough to hold my foot in place.