Measuring Your Foot for the Perfect Running Shoe Fit

The best running shoe is the one that fits! Shoe sizes can vary dramatically between brands and different model years. Get more from your training and prevent injury by getting your running shoe fit exactly right.

Read these simple tips and tricks from Ann Arbor Running Company for measuring your feet to find the ideal running shoe size.

Measuring Your Foot Size 

• The best time of day to measure your feet is at the end of the day when they are the largest.
• Wear the socks you will most likely use when using your new shoes.
• Tape a piece of paper to a hard floor, ensuring the paper doesn’t slip.
• Stand with one foot on the paper and a slight bend in your knees. For an accurate measurement do this standing.
• Trace the outline of your foot and if possible, have a friend do this for you.
• Measure both feet because there might be a difference and you’ll need to size for the larger foot.
• Now find the length of your foot by measuring the outermost part of the heel and the front of your foot in inches.
• To find the width of your foot, mark the widest part of your forefoot and measure the distance from side to side in inches.

 How to Find Your Shoe Size 

Now that you have a good idea of what size your feet are, you’ll need to decide on what size shoe you should be wearing. Typically, most people need to size up a ½ to a full size from their actual foot size. Yes, your foot and shoe size should be different. Doing this allows the foot to function properly in the shoe. If your toes are touching the front of the shoe when you are standing, the shoe is too small. You should have a little wiggle room in the toe box of the shoe and the heel and arch should feel like it is holding your foot in place.

Most shoe brands will follow the sizing chart below, but this is just a starting point. Various models of shoes will vary up to a full size. If you have questions about how a shoe is running, please contact us and we will help you out.

If you’re in between sizes, consider ordering a half size larger.

Measuring Foot Width

Use the chart below to measure your foot width. This measurement will help you decide if you have wide or narrow feet, which will impact how well your shoes fit.

How to Test Your New Running Shoes

When you try on your new shoes for the first time be sure to have on a good pair of running socks. If it's sunny outside consider wearing a good pair of sunglasses. Make sure your heel is securely placed in the back of the shoe and lace them up properly, so your arch and heel are being held in place.

Walk around your house, take them for a short run on a treadmill or even a short jog around the block on a clean sidewalk. If they are the correct size your toes should not be touching the end when you are standing, and the heel should not be slipping when running.

If for some reason they are just not a good fit, we will happily take them back. You can also contact us if you’d like to try to find a good replacement.

The Perfect Fit

Finding a running shoe that fits well can sometimes require some trial and error. Over time you will learn what you like and dislike in a running shoe and this process will become easier. #trustus

Research shows that 72 percent of people are wearing the wrong size shoe, which can lead to foot pain and other injuries. Your foot size and shoe size should be different.

At Ann Arbor Running Company we take pride in helping our customers find the right shoe for their needs. Everyone is a little different in what will work for them, so be patient as you sometimes might have to give a few shoes a try to find something that works for you.