Tricks to Avoid When Judging Shoe Size

Determining your correct shoe size might feel straightforward—but if you fall for common myths or shortcuts, you could end up with ill-fitting shoes that lead to discomfort or worse. Here are a few tricks you should avoid when judging your shoe size:

1. Avoid Using a Foot Tracing

You might think tracing your foot on paper gives you accurate measurements—but that tracing can be as inaccurate as your posture when you draw. Besides, it doesn’t account for fluctuations in foot volume during the day. Rely on proper measurement methods, not DIY tracings.

2. Don’t Compare Your Foot to Your Forearm

For some reason, people sometimes think their forearm gives them a shortcut to shoe size—but you shouldn’t compare your foot to your forearm. They’re completely different proportions, so this comparison is just misleading.

3. Skip the Thick Socks Test

Putting on thick socks and trying to size up “just in case”—that’s a big no-no. It might feel like you’re creating comfort, but it’s obscuring the true fit. Always size your shoes with the actual socks you’ll wear day-to-day, not padded duplicates.

At a Glance: Tricks to Avoid

Trick to Avoid	Why It Misses the Mark
Tracing your foot	Too variable—posture and drawing can skew the result
Comparing to your forearm	Totally unrelated proportions—leads to unreliable sizing
Wearing thick socks to size	Masks true fit and creates false comfort expectations

By steering clear of these shortcuts, you ensure you’re measuring your shoe size accurately—and setting yourself up for proper fit, better support, and healthier feet.