K/R: DM Sandals Take 2: Too Small? - YouLookFab Forum

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K/R: DM Sandals Take 2: Too Small?

DonnaF

Veteran

These are the Doc Marten sandals in a size down from the ones y’all said were too long. Sadly, the brand doesn’t come in half sizes. What do you think? Do they look small? And when a fit is this tight, will my feet eventually bang the edges, either front or back? I think in the past I’ve had a tendency to go too big. To get any use from these I need to be able to wear them with socks — but not necessarily with these pants that I happened to be wearing.

K/R? The larger size has been returned.

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Dr. Martens Women's Slide Sandal

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20 replies

Latest reply was from Firecracker (Sharan)

kellygirl

Veteran

Those look perfect to me!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

These look like a better fit than the too long size. Do they feel too small?

CarolS

Veteran

Sorry to be a spanner, but I don't like that feeling of my toes hitting so close to the end. It looks too small for the style of this shoe. A half size would probably be perfect.

As I've always understood, the rule of thumb, so to speak, for sandal fitting is that there should be about a half an inch from the end of your toe to the end of the sandal.

Jules

Veteran

So it’s a matter of some debate whether my Birks are too small. My toes come right to the edge after being fitted at a podiatry speciality store and being told I needed the 37, much to my size 8.5 surprise. I think he was absolutely correct because Birks don’t fall off my feet anymore and are very comfortable, walkable etc. Lots of other people insist I need the 1/4-1/2 inch of room at the end.
These are a different footbed obviously. Since you’re planning to wear these with socks anyway, I say wear them around the house for a few days and see.

Indigoprint

Veteran

I feel spanner too. I do not like toes pushing to close to the edge or heels past the heel cup.
But LOVE the shoe!!

rachylou

Veteran

They look right to me…

Kate

Veteran

They look right to me too.

Re Birks, I agree with Jules. My size 10 feet were fitted with Birks in a size smaller than I normally wear, with my toes near the edge. This may just be a Birks fit issue, but mine don't fall off my feet anymore either and are much more comfortable.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Hmm, I prefer a bit more space, but truthfully these are the kind of details that might get more attention than they deserve. If they are comfortable I say go with them. (Speaking as someone who wears her Docs a bit big and likes it that way.)

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

The key thing is whether it feels comfortable to you (i.e. you don't feel it digging into the back of your heel or underside of your toes as you walk).

Another consideration: Does Docs leather stretch over time? Should be an easy enough fix to punch another hole in the straps if so.

Jonesy

Veteran

I think it totally depends on how each pair feels. When I wear a slightly large, heavy shoe, for example, I tend to trip a bit more when I walk.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think this has a lot to do with foot and shoe shape. I wouldn't wear a shoe or sandal in which my heels overhung the heel cup (after all, if there is one, that is precisely what it is for!) but the distance your toes will be from the end of the sandal can vary depending on the shape of your own toes (long or short) and the toe shape of the shoe. I think midfoot positioning and fit is sometime not carefully enough understood and considered. If it's gripping you nicely in the midfoot and any arch support is positioned correctly, you are probably in the right size. I mean, assuming your toes are not hanging right over the edge. In which case, the last is just wrong for you and you'll never really be comfortable in that style.

I also think sandals can be smaller than shoes or boots because your foot is not enclosed and (potentially) bumping up against the end as you walk.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

More important to me is how the straps feel across the top of the foot, I hate feeling tight there. But these LOOK a better fit than the bigger size so it depends on comfort. If comfy, keep!

RobinF

Veteran

I agree that if they are comfortable then I like them better. They don't look too short to me.

Dee

Veteran

They do look great, but how do your feet feel in them? Is the arch supporting the foot correctly and do the straps feel good with your socks?

Runcarla

Veteran

They look good to me!

Ginger

Veteran

This looks right to me. If I've had that extra part of an inch ahead of my toes it feels off when I'm walking, like there's a piece of cardboard stuck to my foot. As long as you're not feeling a ridge at toe or heel when you walk I do think the look is great.

phoebe

Agreeing with commenters above that how they feel is of the greatest importance and that length and width are not the only considerations as how your foot rests on the last will also be a factor in comfort.

While my sandals may appear too long at first, the forefoot curves upward as the shoe takes shape from walking, and I much prefer to have some extra space between my feet and the pavement.

DonnaF

Veteran

So much wisdom here! Thank you for taking the time to look and giving me your thoughts and wisdom Kellygirl, Angie, Carol S, Jules, indigoprint, rachylou, Kate, Jaime, Zaeobi, Jonesy, Suz, Jenni NZ, RobinF, Dee, Runcarla, Ginger, and Phoebe. I profusely apologize if I have left anyone out.

As I write this, I am sitting here wearing the sandals over fleece lined tights. (Only $10 at Nordstrom.com!) I don't think my toes or heel hits the ridge around the edge and they don't feel too small, but I will wear them around the house a few days just to be sure. They also seem to have a fairly aggressive arch (which I like) but I want to be sure on that as well. The straps are quite adjustable. At first, I thought they would be a problem over my bunion but then I thought to adjust the buckle. Duh!

I was lucky to get these for $63 on Amazon last week as they are now up to $89. Go figure.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Well I love a good price! They look excellent on your feet despite being too chunky for my personal preference
I do like studs though!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I don't think they look too small. I would (and do) wear sandals that fit like this. I usually go by how the footbed feels--whether the arch feels well-placed.