More than one in three adults aren’t wearing the right size shoes
MORE than one in three adults aren’t wearing the right size shoes – with some even left in pain as a result.
A study of 2,000 adults found just 62 per cent feel their footwear are the correct width, with 13 per cent claiming they are too wide, and 17 per cent are too tight.
Worryingly, those wearing shoes which are too small admitted it has caused foot issues such as bunions or callouses (44 per cent), impairs their ability to walk (36 per cent), or even pain elsewhere in their body (24 per cent).
Others feel it leaves them with reduced confidence (16 per cent) and impacts how they complete daily tasks (12 per cent).
The study, commissioned by DB Wider Fit Shoes [https://www.widerfitshoes.co.uk/], as part of its Joyful Strides for Wider Feet campaign, also found 43 per cent of adults haven’t had their feet measured since they were 13.
Sara Davies MBE, who is working with the brand and has spoken about her foot issues in the past, said: “It’s unbelievable to see how many people are still not measuring their feet, despite knowing how important it is for their comfort and health.
“This campaign has made a fantastic start in raising awareness, but we need to keep pushing.
“It’s not just about walking comfortably; it’s about empowering people to live healthier, more confident lives.”
The study also found the average adult buys three pairs of shoes a year, with comfort (60 per cent) and price (54 per cent) the most important factors, ahead of fit (41 per cent)
.But while 23 per cent will try on different sizes until they find the best fitting pair, 59 per cent claim to know their shoe size and simply just buy that same one each time.
It also emerged that of those who wear shoes which are too narrow, 30 per cent do so as they were the only ones they wanted to buy.
Others didn’t know they could get wider footwear (16 per cent) or considered larger options to be less stylish (14 per cent).
The research, carried out via OnePoll, also found 28 per cent of people weren’t aware that different widths of shoes were even available.
Matt Barnes, aged 39, from St Albans, Hertfordshire, believed he was a size 12 for more than 20 years and struggled with discomfort and foot issues.
But after having a fitting, he discovered he was actually a size 10, with a switch to a smaller shoe size leading to an immediate improvement in his comfort and overall foot health.
Charles Denton, managing director of DB Wider Fit Shoes, said: “We each walk thousands of steps each day, but there are a large number of people doing this in ill-fitting shoes.
“Not only is this often uncomfortable but it could lead to more serious and longer lasting problems with your feet.
“We are often very careful about measuring children’s feet when they are young, but we seem to get out of this habit as we get older, simply assuming our feet will always stay the same size.”