Shoe Fit Essentials: 3 Questions to Ensure Perfect Footwear Comfort | Oboz Footwear (2024)

FAQs

Do Oboz shoes fit true to size? ›

We always recommend visiting your local Oboz retailer to ensure the best fit. If this is not possible we do feel our products run true to size.

It's also a good idea to try shoes on with the socks you'll be wearing on the trail. Match your flex zone for optimized fit. As mentioned above, the best way to do this is through a proper sizing. Always walk up stairs or a ramp to ensure your toes aren't making contact with the shoe.

You want the snug fit in the heel through midfoot, then room for your toes to splay out a bit. You also need at least a finger's width of space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. A common running-shoe fit tactic also applies to fitness walking shoes: Buy one-half size bigger than your casual shoe size.

Stand up and make sure there is 3/8" or 1/2" (about the width of your finger) between your longest toe (usually the second toe) and the end of the shoe. Always stand and walk around in the shoes to see if they are comfortable, fit well, and don't chafe or rub anywhere. Your heel should not slip or slide while walking.

Shoe Stretch Sprays and Liquids

Spray the tight areas and then walk around in your shoes to stretch them out. Alternatively, use a shoe stretcher or adjustable shoe tree to stretch the shoes after applying the stretch sprays and liquid.

Outside + Bozeman = Oboz

It even inspired the name “Oboz”.

The true difference in size starts at the beginning of the manufacturing process in factories with a tool called a “shoe last.” Shoe lasts are molded models of feet (sans toes). They come in various shapes and sizes, and they're a big part of what makes each shoe manufacturer unique.

Both trail and hiking shoes have the potential to be equally comfortable over long days of walking. For shorter walks, carrying lighter loads and where speed is important, trail running shoes offer a balance of cushion and flex.

“Memory foam, yes, is good for hiking, but the underlying structures like the arch, heel and front of the insole should be structurally stable,” he says.

Because of the softer rubber, wearing trail-running shoes on the road, where they will regularly pound and rub on hard pavement, can wear the soles out more quickly than if you stick to the softer surface of a trail.

What heel drop is best for the knees? ›

A lower drop (4mm - 6mm) encourages a more natural foot strike and can help reduce knee pain by promoting more forward landing. However, a slightly higher drop (8mm - 10mm) provides more heel cushioning, which can be helpful for those who heel-strike heavily, as it absorbs more impact and reduces stress on the knees.

Runners need shoes with a higher difference in height from the heel through the toe called the heel drop, while walkers should choose shoes with a heel drop of less than 8 millimeters. For more information on finding the best footwear for your needs, consult with a podiatrist.

How should shoes fit? First and foremost, your shoes should fit nice and comfortably. That means they should neither by too tight nor too loose, too big nor too small. Think of yourself as Goldilocks: you want a pair that is just right.

A loose fit could put you at risk for injury. If you are between sizes, sizing down is a better option in this situation. It is always better to go half a size up for running shoes or trainers. Vigorous exercise will increase the blood supply to the feet and cause them to swell.

As a rule of thumb (or toe), you should have about 3/8″ to 1/2″ of room from the tip of your longest toe to the end of the shoe.

Make Sure You Have Extra Room For Your Toes.

This means it's wise to have just a little extra room (about a thumb's width) between your longest toe and the front of the shoe. With this in mind, your running shoe should be around a half size larger than the shoe size you usually get.