vitaminc
Distinguished Member
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- Mar 23, 2008
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I have a very hard foot to fit, with a narrow heel and wide toe. Just about every RTW shoe is a compromise in some way for me - cramped toe or slipping heel.
I have a foot that is similar to yours in shape. For many years I was convinced that there were no RTW shoes I could wear that would come even close to fitting properly, so I wore only my custom made cowboy boots and lace up ankle boots.
After what I learned from this forum and some expensive trial and error, through internet purchases, I found a number of shoes made on lasts that are better suited to our shaped feet.
I have found that all the Allen Edmonds shoes and Italian shoes I have tried, pinched in the toes and were too big in the heels.
Here are some shoe companies and last #'s that have wider toe boxes, and narrower heels.
Alden of New England- Copley, Plaza, and Barrie lasts
Alden Foot Balance System- Truflare last, Trubalance last
Barkers of England- 29 last
Trickers-6038 last
Cheaney-last #'s 175, 3184,
3485
Crockett and Jones- 341 last
Grenson- 96 last
In general UK lasts run a little longer and wider than a standard American last when dropping 1/2 size down. For exmple most American lasts in a size 11.5 D are too short for me and usually too narrow. However, a UK 11 E or F (depending on the brand) is about a US 11.8 which gives me that little bit of extra toe room that makes all the difference.
Alden lasts generally run a little longer than standard US sizing also, making them fit more like UK shoes.
Finding the perfect fit for anyone in a RTW shoe, ranges from difficult to impossible for many people. Our feet often change during the day, so a compromise fit is often the best that we are going to get. Often a heavier or thinner sock can put the shoe in the wearable column, as well as some stretching in certain places. I never can just buy a shoe and wear it right out of the box without doing some fine tuning of the final fit.
I would think that with our shaped feet, our best bet is lace-up shoes, as they are the most adjustable. Slip-ons and monk straps I would think are best avoided in our search for good fitting shoes.
Good luck with your search.
Jess
Thanks for the advise!!
I oftentimes has to find a shoe that fits on the toe box and add heel padding/grips. That is easier than stretching out the toe box through the break-in process or shoe stretcher.