Reasons Why Your Shoes Don't Fit You Anymore

Do Your Shoes Feel Different?

There may have been occasions within your life, where you have had to buy a size other than what you are used to. Most of us feel perplexed by this, and wonder why our feet seem to have changed shape or size. Well, breathe a sigh of relief, as It is extremely common to experience such changes with your feet!

There are many factors that affect the size or shape of our feet. Unsurprisingly, they are greatly impacted by our body weight. Having to withstand this, plus more pressure as a result of the pull from gravity, takes its toll. Generally, feet become longer and wider over time. Our feet begin to lose strength within their muscles and ligaments from the years spent absorbing our body weight. Consequently, the arch of the foot tends to collapse meaning the foot becomes flatter, hence greater in width and length.

Our feet are no exception to facing natural changes that come with age. You may notice a loss of cushioning at some point throughout your lifetime. The fat stores responsible for shock absorption on the bottom of our feet become thinner as we grow older, and this can affect how our shoes feel and fit. For many it causes discomfort, even whilst wearing their existing shoes. In addition to this, it is common to feel new aches and pains as the foot loses its natural cushion and elasticity.

External Factors that can Affect Your Shoe Size

It is expected that changes will occur during pregnancy. Many experience a significant difference to the shape of their feet during this time, whether this is temporarily or permanently. It is common for the feet to swell as a result of the influx in water that is stored within a woman’s body. Furthermore, the feet may appear flatter. This is because of the shift in hormones which increase the elasticity of many ligaments throughout the body, therefore loosening the ligaments within the foot. It is advised to check such symptoms with a doctor always, however we reassure you that it is normal to experience similar symptoms during your pregnancy.

Other factors that can affect your shoe size include foot deformities. Examples of these are bunions, corns and overlapping toes. Once your feet start to develop changes of this kind, it can cause shoes to irritate the problematic areas and can be extremely painful or uncomfortable. Having to adjust, it is often suitable to invest in wider fitting shoes or even a larger size.

Do not feel disheartened by changes that your feet will likely experience. We advise not to object to this natural process by cramming your feet into the size they once were, but to adapt to this change and preserve your feet better with a new size. Measuring your feet regularly can help to keep your feet healthy and can avoid developing deformities that cause pain and discomfort.