How should flip flops, slippers and sandals fit?

How should open summer shoes fit? As a supplier of innovative footwear, we want to help you find comfortable shoes that fit properly, including comfortable summer flip flops, slippers and sandals..

Flip-Flops & Barefoot Sandals - The Right Size

We live in a place with different seasons and most of us count down the days to flip-flop or sandal season every year.

Putting on comfortable, open-toed summer shoes can be a liberating experience, especially if you've been wearing boots, trainers or other closed shoes all winter.

Summer is the time to give your feet a breather. And yet, if your sandals don't fit properly, you'll experience chronic discomfort, pain or other unfortunate foot ailments.

Whether you're pulling the flip-flops or sandals out of the back of your closet or thinking about buying a new pair, the right fit is crucial.

But how should summer shoes fit in the first place? As a supplier of open-toe shoes, such as flip flops, sandals and open-toe slippers, we want to help you find comfortable shoes that fit properly, including comfortable summer shoes.

We want to provide our customers with the tools they need to find their perfect pair of summer shoes or slippers. Read on to find out how flip flops and the like should fit and how to find the right pair.

Some of our summer flats, naturally fresh and comfortable sandals:

The first photo shows our turquoise leather-cork flip flops.

The 2nd photo shows the model "Olivio, natural sea grass flip flops with cinnamon powder filling  

The third photo shows the model "Leather & Cork Cinnamon Slippers Grey".

Women's sandals /Men's sandals

Sandal Shoes - The Right Size

While it's important to avoid shoes that are too loose on your feet, open-toed summer shoes can easily be half a size larger than your feet. Your entire foot should rest on the footbed of your flip-flops or barefoot sandals when you're standing upright.

You want comfortable sandals that offer enough room for your foot to adjust properly. The summer sandals you choose should not only be comfortable but also protect your feet.

Signs that your sandals are too small include:

• Your heels extend beyond the back of the footbed

• Your toes stick out or hang over the front

• Your toes stick out or hang out on either side

• The straps dig into your heels, toes, or another part of your foot

• You have the straps at the widest possible setting

• You get blisters, calluses, ingrown toenails, or heel spurs

• Your feet hurt during or after wearing them

Of course, loose-fitting shoes can cause a number of foot problems, such as tripping and blisters. But as we've noted, this is quite uncommon with summer sandals.
 
 

How should summer shoes fit at the back and front?

When it comes to summer shoes, like sandals and flip-flops, the way they fit at the back and front is crucial. If your heel extends beyond the footbed at the back, it won't be protected. Furthermore, if the summer sandals have an anatomically shaped footbed or the footbed is recessed, the edge can dig into your heel, causing blisters or restricting circulation.

The same applies to the front of your toes. Without this added protection from the footbed, it's only a matter of time before you injure your toes. If you're wondering, are barefoot sandals bad for your feet? The answer is "yes," unless you wear barefoot sandals that fit properly.

At this point, you know that the circumference of your foot shouldn't extend beyond the sole on either side. However, the space on each side isn't exactly equal. For example, there might be 0.3 centimeters of space around your toes and 0.2 centimeters around your arches. Furthermore, you can expect this to change throughout the day as your feet expand, as you transition from standing to sitting, and as you break in a pair of sandals.

How should open-toed shoes fit?

The shoes should fit you roughly as shown in the following two pictures. Since each of us has different toe configurations, we've taken this into account as best as possible:

It's best to have a gap of 0.2 - 0.5 cm at the front and back from the longest toe to the edge (end of the footbed), then the open-toed shoes will fit perfectly. A little more room is also okay, as long as it's not too much and doesn't cause you to slip in the shoes.

Illustration on the topic - How should flip flops fit?

How much room do you need in the front of your sandals?

Sandals should also have some room in the front and back; 0.2 - 0.3 cm front/back is ideal:
 

Don't be afraid of summer shoes that are too big.

Many people also fear that wearing a larger shoe will make their feet appear larger, but this couldn't be further from the truth. If you cram your feet into sandals that are too small, they can actually appear larger. And believe it or not, the difference between two whole sizes is only about 0.8 centimeters. Half and whole sizes differ by only about 0.5 centimeters in length.

If you order the sandals with footbed one size (half size) larger, you'll have plenty of room. Of course, you don't want too much room, but that extra 0.5 - 0.8 centimeters will go a long way. You'll be able to walk around comfortably for hours while avoiding foot pain and discomfort.

Find Your Right Size - Comfortable Sandals

As mentioned above, if your summer slippers are too small, the straps can dig into your feet, and you may end up with a stump, an ingrown toenail, or another painful condition. Conversely, while it's better to wear a larger pair of sandals, summer shoes that are way too big come with their own list of foot problems. Your feet can slide around inside the shoe, which can strain your ankles and calves and affect your posture. Loose shoes can also slip off your feet and cause injury or rub against your skin, which can lead to blisters and calluses.

However, a 2018 study published in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Research found that wearing shoes that are too small is far more common than wearing a pair that is too big. To find the ideal slippers, flip-flops, or barefoot sandals that are good for your feet and fit properly, you should measure your feet.

Measure Your Feet for Summer Shoes

If you've measured your feet in the past or think you know your shoe size, we still recommend checking your measurements occasionally. According to the Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, up to two-thirds of people wear the wrong size. This includes incorrect shoe length and width, so it's crucial to measure both.

If you measure your feet, we recommend doing so in the evening. This is because feet expand throughout the day, which can often result in different measurements at night than in the morning. Ever think your shoes fit better in the morning? Here's why.

Here's how to find your shoe size and width:

1. Take a tape measure or ruler, a pen, and a large piece of paper.

2. Place the paper on the floor—preferably the flattest area you can find—and step on it.

3. Slowly trace around the circumference of each foot. Remember that when you wear the sandals, the entire circumference should fit on the footbed. To get the correct size, make sure you can see the entire outline of each foot when you look down.

4. Using your tape measure or ruler, carefully measure the length and width of your feet and record the numbers. Length is measured from the tip of your longest toe to the edge of your heel, and width is a straight line across the widest part of your foot.

If one of your feet is longer or wider than the other, measure again to be sure. But don't be alarmed if one is slightly larger than the other, as this is very common. Compare your measurements with a size chart to determine your current shoe size and width.
 

For our open summer shoes, you can determine the shoe size using the same method as for the cinnamon soles. Alternatively, you can also measure your actual foot length to determine your size.

Size chart for flip-flops and sandals for women and men
(individual models may vary slightly, but we have the exact footbed length for almost every model)

Size chart for cork flip flops / barefoot sandals for women and men
(individual models may vary slightly, but we have the exact footbed length for almost every model)

Size chart for slippers for women and men
(individual models may vary slightly, but we have the exact footbed length for almost every model)