topic Re: Feet Shrinking? in Community Chat

Feet Shrinking?

NickNack — Tue, 29 May 2018 21:54:29 GMT

I can't figure out if my feet are getting smaller or if shoe sizes are just inconsistent. I have worn an 8M for many years. I order most of my shoes because I have very flat feet with bunions and there isn't much choice of good comfort shoes locally. Lately I've ordered a couple of pairs of Aetrex (last year they were size 8 or equivalent EU sizes). This year I ordered the same size, and they were too big. I reordered the smaller size, and they fit. I ordered some Chacos (never have worn them) because I have heard such good things about them. I ordered a size 8, and my feet come right out of them. They felt wide and long. I didn't reorder them, because I felt like they would still be too wide. This has happened with other shoes, too, but I don't remember the brands. I always read reviews before ordering.

I haven't lost any weight. Are shoes just that inconsistent in sizing, or do your feet shrink as you get older? I'm so confused. I'm thinking it's the shoes are inconsistent in sizing, because my old shoes still fit. I hate to keep returning shoes, but I just can't find them locally. We don't have a Nordstrom or anywhere that sells the brands I like. Dillard's is the best for shoes, but they don't have a good selection.

Re: Feet Shrinking?

chickenbutt — Tue, 29 May 2018 21:55:47 GMT

I've not heard of that, but that means little as I'm no expert. I've only heard of them getting larger.

I've been a 7.5C ever since I was grown. But I haven't purchased any new shoes lately. All my 7.5C shows still fit perfectly.

Re: Feet Shrinking?

deepwaterdotter — Tue, 29 May 2018 21:56:01 GMT

I don't think there is much consistency in shoe sizing. I wear shoes ranging between size 7 - 8 1/2 depending on the brand and style.

Re: Feet Shrinking?

SilleeMee — Tue, 29 May 2018 21:56:48 GMT

Shrinking...?? Well I'll have some of that.

Re: Feet Shrinking?

NickNack — Tue, 29 May 2018 22:03:17 GMT

@deepwaterdotter wrote:
I don't think there is much consistency in shoe sizing. I wear shoes ranging between size 7 - 8 1/2 depending on the brand and style.

@deepwaterdotter The strange thing is that one of the Aetrex shoes that I ordered is exactly the same style that I bought last year. The same size was a whole size too big.

Re: Feet Shrinking?

cherry — Tue, 29 May 2018 22:08:15 GMT

I have noticed on my thongs ,my foot from slipping out of them. I lined the band inside, with moleskin, and that took care of it. I don't know if it was the material ,or what was happening. They fit OK

Re: Feet Shrinking?

Kachina624 — Tue, 29 May 2018 22:12:28 GMT

All I know is that as I got older, my feet spread out in length and width. I went from a 9 1/2 AA to an 11 M today. This is a blessing because it's much easier to find medium widths, even 11s. Most people tend to spread a bit. I'd guess your problem might be quality control at the Aetrex factory.

Re: Feet Shrinking?

RedTop — Tue, 29 May 2018 22:15:54 GMT

@NickNack,

I am not aware of feet getting smaller with the aging process; wider and bigger, yes, but not smaller. However, we are all unique in our own ways, and your feet may indeed be getting smaller. I too am seeing more and more shoes with European sizing tho, which in my own case, fit me much better.

My feet have gotten bigger and wider since my knee replacement surgeries. Prior to my first surgery in 2012, I was wearing a 7 1/2 shoe in medium width; now I’m wearing an 8 wide. The only shoes that are comfortable on my feet now are Alegria clogs and sandals, and my Brooks and Nike athletic shoes. I have a pair of Skechers bungee athletic shoes coming, and hope they work for me. Previous Skechers did not, but they were not wide width.

Re: Feet Shrinking?

SilleeMee — Tue, 29 May 2018 22:22:40 GMT

The skin on your feet gets thinner as you age and there is loss of the fat pads on the soles of your feet, too. When you consider both happening together then that might contribute to a smaller foot. I noticed that I have to place an extra thin insole in most of my shoes just to take up the slack.

Re: Feet Shrinking?

chickenbutt — Tue, 29 May 2018 22:24:52 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
All I know is that as I got older, my feet spread out in length and width. I went from a 9 1/2 AA to an 11 M today. This is a blessing because it's much easier to find medium widths, even 11s. Most people tend to spread a bit. I'd guess your problem might be quality control at the Aetrex factory.

I'm curious - did you have kids? What I've always heard is that after women have kids their feet often get larger and/or wider.

I never had kids so that's why I always figured that mine stayed the same all these decades (I'm over 60).

Re: Feet Shrinking?

Montana — Tue, 29 May 2018 22:31:24 GMT

My feet have gotten bigger with age. I wore size 8 for a long time. Now I wear size 9 in shoes, and size 10 in boots and sneakers.

But my fingers and wrists are much smaller. Even before I lost weight my hands started shrinking.

Re: Feet Shrinking?

lulu1 — Tue, 29 May 2018 22:38:41 GMT

Even if your weight remains consistent, it is not unusual for our feet to become larger and wider as we age. Your feet may not be growing, rather muscle tone changes. Ligaments and tendons are like old rubber bands that have lost their snap back reflex.

Re: Feet Shrinking?

cherry — Tue, 29 May 2018 22:36:16 GMT

My feet are the same size they have always been.

Re: Feet Shrinking?

skuggles — Tue, 29 May 2018 22:44:42 GMT

I have my feet measured periodically. They are still the same size as they were when I stopped growing.LOL. No matter what. I think the standards are gone. I find them too tight, too loose, too short etc. My feet haven't changed size. Clarks like to measure every time you try a shoe on in their B&M stores. I had them measure two weeks ago. Same size as usual. Still the shoes don't fit . I just bought and returned it 5 pairs recently to get one that fit.🙃

Re: Feet Shrinking?

Kachina624 — Tue, 29 May 2018 23:32:15 GMT

@chickenbutt wrote:
@Kachina624 wrote:
All I know is that as I got older, my feet spread out in length and width. I went from a 9 1/2 AA to an 11 M today. This is a blessing because it's much easier to find medium widths, even 11s. Most people tend to spread a bit. I'd guess your problem might be quality control at the Aetrex factory.

I'm curious - did you have kids? What I've always heard is that after women have kids their feet often get larger and/or wider.

I never had kids so that's why I always figured that mine stayed the same all these decades (I'm over 60).

@chickenbutt. Yes, I had one. Don't know if that had anything to do with it.

Re: Feet Shrinking?

Newgate — Tue, 29 May 2018 23:35:18 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
The skin on your feet gets thinner as you age and there is loss of the fat pads on the soles of your feet, too. When you consider both happening together then that might contribute to a smaller foot. I noticed that I have to place an extra thin insole in most of my shoes just to take up the slack.

I completely agree @SilleeMee ! That is what has happened to my feet over the years! They are just bonier and skinnier than they were before! I have gone from 8 1/2 to and 8 at my older age!

Re: Feet Shrinking?

puttypiesmom — Tue, 29 May 2018 23:35:39 GMT

My feet can look like boats and look like petite doll's feet. It all depends on the brand, the width, the length and the style.

Re: Feet Shrinking?

CLEM — Tue, 29 May 2018 23:58:09 GMT

@chickenbutt wrote:
I've not heard of that, but that means little as I'm no expert. I've only heard of them getting larger.

I've been a 7.5C ever since I was grown. But I haven't purchased any new shoes lately. All my 7.5C shows still fit perfectly.

@chickenbuttI went from a size 9 to a size 10. And I have always heard that feet get larger which I believed. But then I thought about it, and came to the conclusion that larger feet in advanced age must have another reason than growing. So I mentioned it to my podiatrist. She said that the arch collapses, therefore giving the appearance of feet having grown.

Re: Feet Shrinking?

chickenbutt — Wed, 30 May 2018 00:02:25 GMT

@CLEM wrote:
@chickenbutt wrote:
I've not heard of that, but that means little as I'm no expert. I've only heard of them getting larger.

I've been a 7.5C ever since I was grown. But I haven't purchased any new shoes lately. All my 7.5C shows still fit perfectly.
@chickenbuttI went from a size 9 to a size 10. And I have always heard that feet get larger which I believed. But then I thought about it, and came to the conclusion that larger feet in advanced age must have another reason than growing. So I mentioned it to my podiatrist. She said that the arch collapses, therefore giving the appearance of feet having grown.

Oh wow, that's very interesting! Thank You for that view. Makes sense. I still have regular arches so I guess that's why mine are the same. But, ow! That doesn't sound pleasant. I hope it's not painful.

Re: Feet Shrinking?

shoekitty — Wed, 30 May 2018 00:14:25 GMT

I think my feet have gotten a little bonier, but same length. I am convinced the shoes are inconsistent. I have to send them back all the time., even though I love them. I wear an 8.5, but lately the 8.5 is way too large or so small. I go to 9, and some fit, others are a good size large. I have been wearing Earth and Jambu shoes For 10 uears or more!! Now one style fits and another style is huge. I hate it. Many brands are going for the 8-8.5 or 9-9.5 new sizing. That is crazy. One is slightly small, the larger is just huge. People that are. 8.5-9 size are totally pushed out of the shoe!!! This is a sore point with me, as you can tell.