NO MEAN FEAT!
Do you really know what shoe fitting you are, or do you just have an approximate idea of what will roughly fit your feet? How many times have you really wanted a size '5 and a half' but instead settled for a '5' or '6'?

Women spend so much time finding their children the correct shoe fitting, yet often are quite happy to neglect their own feet when it comes to finding that perfect fit. Granted, children's feet are growing, but your feet can also be at risk from problems if you are wearing a pair of ill-fitting shoes. Women report four times as many foot problems as men and are particularly susceptible to foot aches and pains, particularly in the toes. This is due to the pressure exerted on the toes by poorly fitted shoes, in particular high-heeled shoes, and platform shoes.

Below we offer some tips on finding that perfect fit so that you can walk proud... and in comfort!

...But before that, here are a few footnotes...

• On average, a person will walk between 80,000 - 115,000 miles during their lifetime, spend 4 hours on their feet each day, and take 8,000 - 10,000 steps each day
• In the majority of cases, one foot will be larger than the other, with the larger foot being the opposite from the hand that a person writes with
• Over 70% of people will experience some kind of foot problem in their lifetime
• Over 12% of the total bones found in the human body are located in the foot (there are 26 bones, or 28 if you include the bones at the base of the big toe, known as the sesamoid bones). 100 ligaments join the bones together
• There are 33 joints that hold the bones in the feet together and 20 muscles that move these bones
• The top of the foot is referred to as the dorsal region, with the bottom known as the plantar region. Skin on the dorsal region is very thin, whereas skin on the plantar region is very thick

Finding the perfect fit

• Timing: the best time to try on a new pair of shoes in a shop is late in the afternoon, as this is the time when your feet will be at their widest following your days activities. This will act as a worst-case scenario so that you can ensure you do not buy shoes that are too tight
• Tight shoes: you should avoid buying any shoes that feel too tight when you try them on. Don't be fooled by anybody that tells you they will 'give' with wear as the likelihood is they won't stretch significantly, especially if the shoes are made from man made materials. With a well fitting pair of shoes you should be able to move your toes around comfortably without them feeling restricted
• Largest foot forward: always fit a pair of shoes according to your larger foot
• Accessories: try shoes on whilst wearing the appropriate hosiery. For example, if you are purchasing a pair of office shoes then take a pair of tights or stockings with you when trying the shoes. Likewise if you are buying boots then ensure you wear something thicker such as socks, if this is what you will be ultimately wearing with the boots
• Practice makes perfect: make sure you stand up in your new shoes and more importantly walk around the store for a few minutes to make sure that you really do have the perfect fit

...Remember, the majority of shoes today are mass-produced to standard sizes and the above will help eliminate some of the issues you may face when finding a good fit of shoe...however, there is no substitute for a proper fitting by a qualified shoe fitter and a retailer that specialises in hard to find sizes such as womens large size shoes, small ladies shoes, narrow shoes or womens wide shoes.