Comparing Custom Orthotics and Off-The-Shelf Insoles
With more and more people shopping from home, we have seen a significant increase in the number of online orders in the past few months. With that increase, there have come many questions on how to shop for shoes online. While we have traditionally campaigned for in-person shoe shopping, we know that the shift to online shopping is the reality for the here and now.
Shopping for shoes online can be easy if you are simply buying another pair of the same shoe, but when shopping for a new style or brand of shoes online, there are a few things to consider. Here are a few tips from our experts when shopping for footwear online:
1. Know Your Shoe Size AND Your Foot Size
Knowing your foot size and width is important whether you’re shopping for shoes online or in-store. Knowing your shoe size provides a good starting point when shopping in-person and also guides online shopping. Shoe size, however, is not an absolute measurement, nor is it necessarily consistent between brands. We always advise customers to shoe shop by fit and feel, not the number on the box.
Some shoes use different sizing systems. While each brand will have some variance, the chart below is a good guide for general conversions between the major international shoe sizing systems and absolute measurements in centimeters and inches.
2. Use A Current Pair of Shoes to Help Guide Your Online Shopping
One of the best ways to get a good fit when shoe shopping online is to use a current pair of comfortable well-fitting shoes to help. Using the insole out of a current pair of comfortable shoes, take measurements of the overall length and width. If the online store you are shopping with provides a sizing chart with measurements in centimeters or inches, you can get a much closer measurement for the best fit.
If you don’t have an insole to use as a guide, take a tracing of your foot to measure. Using a blank piece of paper, trace the outline of your foot. For the best measurement, take the tracing while standing on your foot (you may need to ask someone for help!), as your foot gets longer and wider when you stand and walk.
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3. Call The Store For Help
If the shoe store you’re shopping with has a bricks-and-mortar counterpart, or at the very least a customer service line, take advantage! No one knows their product better than the store selling them and they often have additional tips for fitting based on their hands-on experience fitting shoes. If you have your measurements of your feet or insoles handy when you call, the sales associate should be able to compare your measurements with the shoe that you’re interested in to make an educated recommendation on size.
4. Check Return And Exchange Policies
Always confirm with the retailer what their policies are for returns and exchanges. Some online footwear retailers will offer free returns, while others will charge a restocking fee, or return shipping charges.
We recommend trying your shoes indoors for a few days before wearing them outdoors to ensure the fit is good and reduce any wear on the shoe that would prevent a return or exchange should you need one. Our return and exchange policy will cover you for 45 days on all purchases and provide free return shipping where applicable. All returned merchandise must be in new condition for all returns and exchanges.
Looking to shop for some new shoes or sandals online? We are here to help. You can shop online 24/7 at our footwear store, call us at 519-452-9994 or visit us in-store at 2-627 Maitland St, London.
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