Last Updated on: 13th October 2025, 05:45 pm
As wardrobes shift for the cooler months, a new warning suggests countless people could be walking around in the wrong-sized footwear.
Charles Denton, Managing Director at DB Wider Fit Shoes, says most adults fail to recognise that feet continue to evolve throughout life, even after adolescence.
“Our Foot Health Awareness Survey highlights a huge gap in how people buy and wear shoes,” Denton said. “Most adults assume their shoe size never changes, but this simply isn’t true.”
The research, based on a survey of 2,000 UK adults, found that nearly three-quarters have not had their feet measured since they were 16. Many still rely on guesswork or outdated assumptions when buying new shoes.
“Your feet actually change over time, becoming both longer and wider with age,” Denton explained. “Yet most people just keep guessing their size or sticking with whatever they’ve always worn, even if it no longer fits properly.”
The findings revealed that 17% of respondents wear shoes that are too narrow, while 70% admit they lack proper understanding of shoe fitting.
According to Denton, the consequences can be serious. “Of those wearing ill-fitting shoes, many report foot problems like bunions, calluses, and pain that can spread to the knees, hips, and even the back,” he said. “Ill-fitting shoes can trigger a chain reaction, from foot pain to joint strain and long-term mobility issues.”
He dispelled the myth that higher prices guarantee comfort. “Price doesn’t always indicate quality when it comes to proper fit,” Denton explained. “What really matters is whether the shoe matches your actual foot measurements, and that includes both length and width. Too many people only focus on size numbers, when width is just as important.”
