How to Prevent Buying Painful Safety Shoes

You know that feeling you get when you commit to something, and you know from the start that you shouldnt? Like lease agreements in not-so-great apartments, expensive gym memberships, and last but certainly not least, improper fitting safety toe shoes that cause painful rubbing sensations on your toes?Each one of those scenarios is painful for different reasons, and weve all been there. While we cant help you with all of the issues above, we can certainly give you some guidance on how to find the perfect fit when it comes to safety toe footwear one out of three bad scenarios isnt the best, but darn it, it's something!Lets jump inRemember, safety toe comfort comes in length, not widthYou have to get a shoe long enough to accommodate the back and forth toe movement in the shoes. The proper fit happens when the widest point of your foot (the ball) is located exactly in the widest part of the shoe. When that happens, the arch of your foot fits precisely with the arch of the shoe, giving you maximum support.So whats happening?Your arch has probably dropped over the years, extending the toes of the shoes forward. This back and forth motion of your toes is why you need to fit your shoes (not just safety shoes) using your arch measurement.Are you measuring up?The arch measurement can be obtained with a Brannock Foot Measuring Device, you can find this in most reputable shoe stores. For more information on how to measure your feet, check out our blog here.Suggestion: Try to get your foot measured in a shoe store before you buy your next pair of safety shoes to see if your arch has dropped a little, extending the toes further into your shoes to the point where they are rubbing the safety toe.Reason: As we age and potentially get weaker and heavier your arch drops. When the arch drops, it causes our feet to get longer. It happens to everyone! We know, in your younger days your shoe size might have been 9.5; and now you wear an 11 at 50 years of age. Over that time, youve probably also gone from a 32-inch waist to a 36, and packed on a few extra pounds. Time is, after all, a cruel master. Now, your foot really hasnt grown in this timespan, its just changed shape (the same thing happened to our waistlines right?). The arch drops and the toes and arch extend further in the shoe. All this means is that you need a longer shoe. If you are finding that you still dont seem to have enough distance widthwise, you can look into getting a wider safety toe shoe. One final tip: Bigger brands typically have their shoes made by different manufacturers. Different styles within the same brand may fit differently because of this fact. Again, the most reliable solution is to try the shoes on and test the location of the ball of your foot in the shoe to make sure you are getting the right fit. Try out some of these tips, and you should be able to find the perfect fit! Still a little confused? Our retail store associates and Mobile Shoe Managers are all trained and ready to help you find the best safety toe shoes for your needs! Click here to find a location near you!