Foot volume 101: for lisaP

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viva

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Lisa:

Saw your note about foot volume confusion.

I am low volume. I have thin and bony long feet, normal to flat arches ... they tend not to be fussy. I wear flats easily, don't have trouble getting my feet into shoes, etc. Although ... over the last couple of years I have begun developing bunions which means pointy toes are getting harder to deal with (hence my decision to return those Zara booties). It's very easy for me to think about foot volume when I think about my sister-in-law's feet: hers are the direct opposite of mine, more compact, just have a blockier shape, more heft, and high arches. She needs more space in shoes than I do. I can tell just by looking at her feet and by looking at her shoe choices.

And here is the bible:

http://youlookfab.com/2014/04/.....continuum/

xxxx

11 years ago

General

8 replies

Latest reply was from cheryle (Dianthus)

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Great explanation, Vivian.

I have mixed up feet!

My forefoot is relatively but not super high volume. I have a regular width toe area and short square toes, with what might be a small bunion developing on my left foot. Even with it, I wear regular width shoes, including pointy toes, with no squeezing or discomfort. However, my instep and arch are rather high, so it can be a problem to get into some boots and even shoes at times. And I sometimes feel pressure on my upper foot from shoes and boots pushing down on them.

Meanwhile, my heel is at least two sizes narrower than my forefoot. This, combined with my high instep, is why I can almost never keep flats on my feet unless they tie up.

I've seen much higher volume feet than my own -- thicker, wider, higher, and overall more square. And I've also seen much lower volume feet -- with long thin toes, flat arches, bony protuberances. That's why I think I am someplace in the middle.

11 years ago

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I also have low volume feet. One of the main contributors is that I have almost no arch. My running shoes are for over-pronators. My wet footprints are almost a full foot print with little dry area where an arch should be. My feet are also thin from the ground up and I sometimes find that shoes will rub on the ankle bone. I have had shoes fly off my feet when I walk too fast so really low vamp pumps can be a challenge.

Reading even three responses makes me wonder how any of us ever find shoes that work.

11 years ago

viva

Veteran

Dianthus - I love that wet footprint evidence! I wonder how that all fits in. Thinking again of my sister-in-law, I would bet hers is a really narrow print because so much of her foot is off the floor. But I wonder about mine? Maybe more like yours? I am going to have to check. If I ever get out of my pjs today, haha.

Plus, Suz, I really misrepresented the ease with which I keep on flats. It really depends. But I definitely don't have the problem you do. Your heel size is so interesting but I can imagine quite a challenge to contend with in the shoe department.

11 years ago

Anonymous

Thanks Vivian I still isn't super-evident to me where I fall on the spectrum. I have very regular looking feet . But - it's all semantics anyways. I can never predict from looking at a shoe what will feel good and what won't. Most shoes flip off my feet when I walk and I have to consciously grip and flex to keep them on - which is ridiculous. That's why sneakers and boots are such a blessed relief. Until I developed a small bunion on my left foot - everything was just fine and I could wear anything. Now - not the case. Another indignity of heredity and age

11 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What is with these LEFT feet???

Honestly, they need to get themselves in line.

Lisa, you might have a narrow heel, too, if you can't keep shoes on without gripping and flexing. I refuse to do this because of cramps. Plus, it doesn't work over time. This is why I agree with you about boots/ booties/ and sneakers. And sandals. For years I owned literally nothing in between these options.

11 years ago

Anonymous

I know. I't ridiculous. And now sandals are dodgy because of this *$%#ing bunion, pardon my French. It shows in many sandals, and I hate it!! As if there weren't enough other things to worry about, now this! I feel like an old woman.

11 years ago

jackiec

Veteran

I've developed a similar bunion of sorts on my right foot. It's getting to the point where it pokes out of sandals. Argh. And then just a few days ago I picked up these Artica booties from Browns (on a whim - I thought I'd finally found sleek, weather-proof brown/black booties). I put them on at home, and then my left foot started screaming at me. Same stupid thing is happening there.

Sorry for chiming in. I'd say my foot is more high volume, more so because it runs wide, and keeps getting wider....

ETA - those booties went straight back within 2 hours of purchasing...phew.

11 years ago

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

Lisa, if your shoes are flying off your feet, they are likely low volume too. I had that problem. In fact, I quit wearing a pair of beloved shoes after one flew off in the hall at work.

I thought I was developing arthritis in my left foot because that big toe joint aches and sometimes pains me. After reading the bunion comments, I checked it out and suspect that is what the issue is with that foot. It isn't really obvious but does protrude a bit more than the other foot. The description I read sounds pretty much like what I have. I am relieved it isn't arthritis since I am deathly allergic to ibuprofen and aspirin.

11 years ago

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