How Should Sandals Fit – Buying The Perfect Pair

With the warmer months upon us, most people have started looking for items to update their footwear. And if you’re one of those people and you’re wondering how should sandals fit, it’s smart thinking to research what you want to purchase, before you actually get it. Especially when it comes to sandals, as they can be a bit tricky.

While it’s fashionable and fun to wear sandals or flip flops in the summer, you should be careful when choosing them. Are you looking to get a pair that’s going to look great but also fit perfectly? Then you’ve come to the right place!

There are four key things that you should look for when you’re out shopping for sandals, and we’ll discuss them below.

1. Base or Sole Check

The first thing that you’ll need to do is to examine the sole or the base of the sandal you’re thinking of buying. This is because that’s the part that needs to match the shape of your foot.

So before you hand over your credit card and buy a pair, make sure that the sole is as wide as your foot. That way the pair of sandals you’ll get will provide proper support for your feet.

Another thing you should keep in mind when you’re checking the soles of the sandals is to see if they have a thicker sole as well as a low heel. If they do, as many Teva sandals do, that pair of sandals can protect your feet by providing shock absorption while you’re walking around.

2. Check the Length

The second thing that you’ll need to keep in mind is that the length of the sandals will fit your feet. Though it may seem obvious, quite often there are people who tend to wear sandals where you can clearly see that the length of the shoes isn’t a perfect match. You can see either their heels or their toes hanging over the edge with no support whatsoever.

This not only looks unattractive, but it’s also harmful to your feet. If you wear sandals that don’t have the right length and the edges of your feet are hanging out, it could lead to friction. And then that leads to painful blisters or calluses.

The best thing would be to choose a pair of sandals that are going to be the perfect length for your feet with a little extra room. Rainbow Sandals are usually a great choice for this as the sizes are spacious.

You can do this while trying them on before you buy them. Make sure that the sandals are properly cupping both your toes and your heels and nothing is hanging over the edges, making you uncomfortable.

3. Arched Contour

The next thing you’ll need to check before you get a pair of sandals you’ve been eyeing is to check if the pair has an arched contour. Any pair of shoes that have an arched contour will provide plenty of support to both your longitudinal as well as your metatarsal arches.

If you wear sandals that don’t support both arches, it could lead to strain. The strain can then lead to plenty of different painful foot conditions, including plantar fasciitis. This is when the entire length of the foot becomes inflamed and causes you stabbing pain.

If you’re wearing orthotics, the ideal pair of sandals for you would have a removable footbed. That way there would be enough space for your custom arch support.

4. Adjustable Straps

The last thing that we would recommend that you look for when it comes to best fitting sandals is adjustable straps. The perfect pair of sandals is going to have all of the above points that we mentioned, as well as adjustable straps, such as buckles, or even Velcro.

With adjustable straps, there’s less of a chance that your feet will be uncomfortable. They will provide an anchor in the right spots in your sandals so that you’re perfectly stable no matter the length of time you wear them for. The straps also provide support even if the materials they’re made of can soften with wear.

How to Try on a Pair of Sandals

In order to really see how should sandals fit, follow these steps:

1. When you first take them out of their box, make sure that you remove all of the fillings.
2. Next, put your hand inside and try to slightly flex the fabric.
3. If you’re wearing any stockings or socks, remove them before putting the sandals on your feet.
4. Unbuckle and untie all of the straps that the sandals have.
5. Place your foot inside the sandal.
6. See that your heel rests at the back of your sandal.
7. Buckle up, tie all of the straps and keep in mind that your feet will slightly swell after prolonged wear, so allow some room when buckling them.
8. Walk around and see how they move on your feet. They shouldn’t be flopping up and down, or even sliding or rolling around while you’re wearing them.
9. If the pair has thongs, check that it’s not too short or too long. See where the thong rests. The ideal position is between and slightly above the toes.

What Material Should You Choose When Buying Sandals?

When you’re choosing a new pair of sandals, of course, you’ll want to consider the material they’re made of. This goes along with thinking about what you’ll be doing in them and where you’ll be going and Jack Rogers provides all kinds of sandals for all occasions.

When it comes to material, if you’re someone who ends up with perspiration on your feet at the end of the day, avoid any sandals that are made of materials that will induce even more sweat. That includes faux leather, plastic, and rubber.

So try going for sandals that have absorbent linings such as cotton, or even get yourself some absorbent insoles. And a great trick to eliminating sweating when you’re wearing shoes is to just spray the bottoms of your feet with some antiperspirant.

You should also think about where you’re going to be wearing your sandals. If you’re going to the beach, you’ll want to avoid any footwear that’s made out of leather or any pair that has a heel. Instead, try going for something like flip flops or a pair of Birkenstocks.

And on the other hand, don’t wear those types when you’re going to the park. Because all you’ll do is end up with dirt on your feet. Just using a bit of common sense will take you a long way in saving you from any discomfort or embarrassment.

Also, think about the occasion where you’re wearing your sandals. You shouldn’t be wearing a pair of rubber sandals in a formal or semi-formal setting. That includes school, church, or in the office. And remember that you should really only wear open-toe sandals for casual occasions.

Pro Tips

With these tips, you’re going to get and keep the perfect sandal for your feet and you’ll no longer be wondering how should sandals fit:

• Get a pair of sandals that have a great sole for walking on different surfaces so you get plenty of use out of the pair that you buy.
• Your sandals should also be stylish enough to be able to wear them on multiple occasions.
• You should have an easy time putting them on and taking them off, no matter how long you’ve been wearing them.

Check out this short video to help you pick out the perfect sandals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should You Be Sizing up or Sizing Down When It Comes to Sandals?

If your regular shoes are a half size, you’ll probably need to get half a size larger when it comes to sandals. This is because sandals usually come in whole sizes and it’s rare to find half sizes.

How Can I Make My Feet Look Better in Sandals?

Not every foot was made for wearing such open pairs of shoes. But with a little care, you too can wear all the sandals that you want. Regularly clean and exfoliate them. Remove any dead skin that you may find. Moisturize your feet often and take care of the nails along with the cuticles.

Are Sandals Supposed to Be tight?

When it comes to sandals they shouldn’t be too tight or too loose. When you flex your foot while you’re wearing them, there shouldn’t be too much movement.

How Do You Know If Your Sandals Are Too Big?

As we previously mentioned, you can easily notice this when you’re trying on a pair. If the sandals are too loose and your feet keep moving inside of them as you walk, to the point where they might even slip out, then you know they’re too big.

Make Your Sandals Fit Tighter

In conclusion, the best way to see how sandals should fit you is to get them based on what you’re planning to do while wearing them. So if you’re going to the pool, you might opt to choose some basic flip flops.

But then if you’re doing a lot of walking, keep our tips in mind to make the best choice of sandals for you and give your feet all the support that they need.

Let us know if you have any other tips when it comes to choosing sandals in the comments below!