Having a reliable, well-fitting pair of sandals in your shoe collection is highly recommended. They're comfortable, versatile, and easy to wear: the dream combo.
But how should a pair of sandals fit? By nature, they're quite different to other shoe types, meaning your points of reference for a good fit may not be applicable.
With this in mind, we've put together this guide to how sandals should fit. After reading you'll have the knowledge you need to select a comfy and well-fitting pair.
How Should Sandals Fit
Ensuring your sandals fit correctly is crucial for your comfort in the short term and your foot health in the long term. There are three areas to check for a good fit: length, width, and straps. Let's take a look at each.
Length
Length is important for any type of shoe. With sandals your toe should not extend beyond the front edge, and there should be a gap of around 1 cm between your heel and the back edge.
This will give your toes enough space to move freely without going beyond the front of the sandal, guaranteeing comfort and protection.
Width
When it comes to width the general idea is that your sandal should not pinch or squeeze your foot. No part of your foot should hang over the side of the sandal.
Straps
For sandals with non-adjustable straps, they should be snug but not tight. They should hold your foot securely in place with no discomfort and no marks left on your foot when you take them off.
For sandals with adjustable straps, these can be used to tailor the fit exactly to your foot. Follow the guidelines above to ensure a good fit and remember you can loosen the straps if your feet swell during the day.
How to Tell If Your Sandals Are Too Big
If you've got a hunch that your sandals are big, here's what to look out for:
Excessive movement: your feet will slide around inside the sandal, or it may even slide off completely
Too much space at the back: if there's a gap of much more than 1 cm at the back of the sandal this is a clear sign, they're too big
How to Tell If Your Sandals Are Too Small
And here are the telltale signs for a sandal that's too small:
Your feet feel pinched: if your sandals are pinching you and causing physical discomfort, they're either strapped up too tight or, if loosening the straps doesn't fix the problem, they're too small
Overhanging toes: they're also too small if your toes hang over the front, your heels hang over the back, or your foot hangs over the side
Should I Size Up or Down In Sandals?
With information about how to tell if sandals are a good fit, perhaps you're wondering what to do if you're between sizes. The short answer is, size up.
A little bit of movement while you walk or a slightly too big gap between your heel and the back of the shoe is less of a problem than tightness and pinching. And if your sandals have adjustable straps, tightening them a little further works well to counteract the slight oversizing.
Our ranges of men's and women's sandals are handpicked to ensure a wide range of fits, and are a great place to look if you need a comfortable new pair.
