The myth that you should buy shoes and socks a size larger
Short answer: A little room in front of the toes is good, but a whole size too big often causes more problems than it solves. Socks need to fit the foot, otherwise they fold and rub.
Where the myth comes from
The advice to buy a size up comes from a sensible idea. Feet swell slightly during the day and on long walks, and the toes need room to move. That is why many shoe shops recommend about a thumb's width between the longest toe and the front of the shoe. But that is not the same as a whole size larger. The extra space can easily become too much, especially if the shoe is already wide in its cut and shape.
What happens in a shoe that is too big
When a shoe is too big, the foot slides back and forth with every step. The heel lifts, and friction builds up at the back of the heel and under the ball of the foot. That movement is exactly what causes blisters. Many people then pull the laces extra tight to hold the foot in place, and the pressure moves to the top of the foot instead. A shoe that fits in both length and width keeps the foot steady without pinching it.
Socks should not be bought too big
With socks the advice holds up even less. A sock that is too big creates folds at the heel and under the toes, and a fold inside a shoe acts like a small piece of grit. The heel of the sock should sit on your heel, not up on the Achilles tendon. If the sock is too small, it pulls the toes together and wears through quickly. Buy socks in the size that matches your shoe size and check that the heel sits where it should.
Measure your feet in the afternoon
Feet are usually a little larger late in the day than in the morning. So measure the length while standing, in the afternoon, and wearing the type of sock you normally use. Many people have one foot slightly larger than the other, and the larger foot is the one that decides. Check the width too, because two shoes in the same size can feel very different. This also applies to sports shoes, where feet tend to swell more during exercise.
When the body changes
Feet can change size over the years, for example during pregnancy, with changes in weight or with age, when the arch often flattens a little. That is why it makes sense to measure again rather than assume the size you have always bought. The same goes for the rest of the wardrobe, where a soft bra without rigid parts can feel better when the body changes. See bamboo bra without underwire. If your feet hurt, talk to your doctor.
Fit all the way round
The principle that clothes should fit rather than simply be roomy applies to everything worn close to the body. Briefs that are too big slip and fold, while briefs that are too small dig in. The same is true of period underwear, where the fit decides whether it sits close enough to do its job. After a long day, a foot soak and a soft towel are an easy way to give your feet a break. See bamboo towels.
Frequently asked questions
How much room should there be in front of the toes
About a thumb's width between the longest toe and the front of the shoe. More than that often leads to rubbing.
Should socks be bought a size larger
No. Socks that are too big fold at the heel and toes and can cause blisters. The heel of the sock should sit on your heel.
When should you measure your feet
Late in the day and standing up, because feet are slightly larger in the afternoon than in the morning.
See our range of men's bamboo socks.
