Shoes-that-fit-filter

June 18, 2009 3:44 PM

The tops of my girlfriend's feet are very steep, and her feet don't fit into most shoes that are the correct size for the length/width of her foot. Where can she look for shoes that fit better? (and is there a term to describe it/use when searching for said shoes?)

If she wears lace-up shoes (tennis shoes, etc), they have to be much larger than the length or width of her feet suggest in order for her feet to fit in, height-wise. She can wear sandals of the "one strap above the toes, one strap around the ankles" variety, and has found a couple of types of ballet-slipper-y things with additional straps that stay on, but most of the regular shoes she tries on don't fit because the top is too low, or they're too loose in order to fit the height. Ballet slipper-style shoes without extra straps don't stay on. Does anyone have any thoughts about where to find shoes that fit, or styles to investigate? Specifically, work-friendly shoes (closed-toe), but all recommendations welcome.

posted by Alterscape to clothing, beauty, & fashion (15 comments total)

I think the term you're looking for might be "high arch", especially if she's got a good sized gap between the bottom of her foot and the floor when she stands in her bare feet.
posted by burntflowers at 3:49 PM on June 18 [1 favorite]

Ms. Quizicalcoatl has a similarly shaped foot. She has found that some Dansko shoes fit well. She also has a couple pair of Sofft brand shoes that fit. It's always a struggle, however, and she always ends up with a wide size. I've learned that no matter how much a brand and size has worked in the past, I shouldn't buy shoes for her as a gift unless she comes along for a fitting. I'll ask her later if she has any additional advice. Good luck.
posted by Quizicalcoatl at 4:22 PM on June 18

High instep.
posted by elsietheeel at 4:30 PM on June 18 [1 favorite]

She could get custom orthotics from a podiatrist to help things fit better, I think. She may need them, as people with high arches tend to develop bone spurs. This happened to me 3 months into a running program, now I will be unable to run or wear high heels until I get surgery, or at least that's what my podiatrist tells me.
posted by emilyd22222 at 4:41 PM on June 18

I have very high arches ("My feet are... tall...") and I like Asics/Onitsuka Tigers a bunch. I walk a lot, and they don't ever give me the troubles/blisters/weird top-of-foot aches that some other shoes do. I tried Danskos, but if I wear them for too long, or for two days in a row, my arches hurt and the blisters come. I'd suggest (HMMV) that she look for shoes that don't offer a ton of arch support; I do well with flatter soles, like Converse All Stars, as the ones with more arch support tend to make me walk more on the outsides of my feet, which hurts my ankles.
posted by esmerelda_jenkins at 4:44 PM on June 18

I too have a high instep, but not nearly as problematic as your girlfriend's (I can wear ballerina flats with no straps, for example). I either go for wide-width shoes, which sometimes have the right amount of material to accommodate a higher instep, or I find shoes that have stretchy material across the instep.

If she finds that shoes with straps to hold them on work, she may want to try a mary jane style for closed-toe shoes. They have a strap across the instep to keep them on. Or she could try a pump with an ankle strap. I don't know what her shoe budget is, but I've found that Nordstrom carries a wide variety of widths and sizes, and their customer service is usually pretty good. They also usually have a good selection of the types of shoes I described.

For shoes that she needs to get in a bigger size in order for them to fit the instep, I've found that putting an insole in the shoe to keep my foot stable works pretty well. I always have to size up in boots (at least half a size, sometimes a full size) and I use insoles from Foot Petals, which can be trimmed to fit your shoes. They also make a product called Amazing Arches, which just sticks on under the arch of the foot. That can help support her arch if it is high, and keep the shoe feeling more snug and supportive.
posted by bedhead at 4:45 PM on June 18

On preview: seconding Onitsuka Tigers. They are so comfy and don't make my instep or arches hurt, either. They are casual sneakers, so won't work for the office, but are good for walking around.
posted by bedhead at 4:46 PM on June 18

What you are describing is a high instep, not a high arch. High insteps are often accompanied by high arches, but not necessarily. I'm blessed with both. I don't have any specific suggestions--it's just trial and (mostly) error.
posted by HotToddy at 4:48 PM on June 18

Yup. high arches or high instep. I've got 'em too.

Two styles of shoes that consistently work for me are Dansko Marcelles and Gentle Souls Gabby. Mostly I just wear Mary Janes in general - the adjustable strap is key.
posted by chez shoes at 4:50 PM on June 18

I have the same issue. For work I wear an Ecco model that looks a bit like this Ecco City Coto.
posted by sueinnyc at 5:03 PM on June 18

Thank you for the replies! Update from the girlfriend: Her feet are as long as a size 3-4, but she needs to wear at least a size 6 sneaker to fit across the instep. Apparently the strap across Mary Janes is usually too small for her foot, and/or the toes are too small. We're looking through the links, though.
posted by Alterscape at 7:33 PM on June 18

Good point HotToddy.
I have a high instep but flat feet (no arches to speak of...).
posted by Toto_tot at 10:41 PM on June 18

My feet are also a bit like this, and I found these boots very comfortable
posted by compound eye at 12:24 AM on June 19

(i realise I've linked a men's boot, but maybe the company has something else your girlfriend might like)
posted by compound eye at 12:25 AM on June 19

The part on the foot is the instep - the part on the shoe is the vamp.
posted by mippy at 9:12 AM on June 19