How should sandals fit? - YouLookFab Forum

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How should sandals fit?

Liesbeth

Veteran

Quick question: I ordered the below sandals online and they fit me as they do on the model: my heel is *just* above the edge of the shoe and my toes fit the toebox with millimeters to spare (also when walking, they never extend over the edge). Straps are tight but not uncomfortably so and I would expect them to stretch a bit over time to accomodate feet swelling in the summer heat. I'm a bit concerned about the heel but unsure if a size up would mend this issue. What do you think?

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15 replies

Latest reply was from RobinF

missvee

Veteran

Do they come in 1/2 sizes? The ones on the model look a tiny bit short to me - her foot fits but the fleshy part of the heel seems to be extending beyond the footbed. It might just be the angle of the photo though.

Inge

(website)

Yes, I'm also thinking they could be just a tad longer in the back (heel), because feet can sometimes slide a bit back and forth while walking and then your heel would sit on the edge of the shoe which might be uncomfortable. But try walking around in them for a bit, if that doesn't happen, perhaps you'll be fine?

And I second missvee's suggestion of trying half a size up (if they come in half sizes, that is).

SarahD8

Veteran

I'll preface this by saying that I am not a fit pedant. I have a couple pairs of sandals that fit similarly to the photo, and a couple other pairs where the outline of the sandal is wider around my foot. Both can be perfectly comfortable and functional, as long as my foot does not shift around while walking. I have low-volume feet, so sometimes the smaller size actually helps prevent that shifting because the straps also tend to be tighter, and it's worth it to me to push the edges length-wise in order for the straps to be comfortable & functional. So I second Inge's advice to try walking around -- maybe wear them at home for a stretch of several hours?

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I agree with Inge and missvee. Sandal fit is so critical because unlike closed shoes and boots, you cannot fill extra room with socks or inserts, but too big and the foot slides around - I have this problem a lot since my feet are slightly narrow and if I size down, the footbed is too short. I have a poison eye for any part of the foot overhanging the sole.

JAileen

Veteran

I would compare the fit with the next larger size.

Kathie

Veteran

This is my preferred fit- up to the edge of the sandal, but not over. I particularly don’t like too much of the footbed extending in the front of the shoe.

Liesbeth

Veteran

Thanks all. I will try wearing them around the house for a couple of hours. No half sizes, but these aren't on sale and I could try an entire size up.

Anonymous

They look short to me. I think with real steps, rather than posed, her toes would be over the edge.

Anonymous

I agree with the others in that the stock photo fit is wrong. I find that sales people in shoe stores are always telling me that the sandals fits properly if it fits this way - and I soundly disagree. I'd rather see a millimetre of sole front and back than toes and heels right at the edge. Total poison eye for toes sticking out the front of a sandal.

Glory

Veteran

I think sandal fit is mostly a matter of comfort with some guidelines. The heel and toe should not extend over. I’ve also seen cases where there is much too much room in the front. I prefer my sandal to have minimal room left but not over.

Cee

Veteran

I go by whether they feel comfortable or not.

fitit.xyz

Member

Yeah, I would err on the side of too much sandal than not enough!

Liesbeth

Veteran

Thanks lisa and others for confirming that some extra room is esthetically ok. So, having walked around in these for a bit I find my heels do shift too far back for me to feel comfortable. I will try one size up but if the issue remains I'll just have to keep looking (ugh) for that elusive perfect sandal.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I prefer a little more to a little less. I do think if a shoe is comfortable it will look fine if either way.

RobinF

Veteran

Cute sandals but I agree that in the photo it looks too short. I don't like too long either though and definitely no overhang in front! I saw a guy in soccer slides the other day and his whole toes were off the front! How is that even comfortable.