Shoe sizing

[MrSquished]

I stepped on that nail IN Manhattan! (and then had to drive home to CT pressing a clutch with that foot!)

And I wouldn't "brag" about how clean "North Joisey" is lolol.... I'm intimately familiar with the entire state. SOME of it is really nice but large areas are unspeakably polluted and filthy.

EDIT: To prove my point:

New Jersey currently has 105 Superfund sites and 2 more proposed.

New York State (which is much larger!) has 87.

Connecticut has 18.

NJ was a focal point of industry for many years, thus the Superfund sites, but nowadays besides like the industry near Elizabeth on the Turnpike, there are really no other areas that are 'dirty'. Also some of the superfund sites are pretty small. There was one in the town near where I grew up in, it was the size of two football fields. It's not like a Superfund site means hundreds of acres of polluted land.

Northern NJ is filled with mostly picturesque suburban towns in pretty little settings. Got a few cities with some grit to them in some areas. The Delaware Water Gap is being potentially turned into a National Park, to go along with 11 other sites. The Pine Barrens are all nature. And once you get out of NE NJ, it's tons of nature.

I've grown up here and been going to NYC all my life, there is a zero epidemic of people stepping on things that bother them problems. Not only from the tons of people I've met and worked with, but from any NJ or NYC group where people go to bitch about anything and everything. I mean they'll complain about things you never thought of. Not once have I seen someone bitch about the ground being too fucked up to walk on in settled areas. So I'm not sure what you are talking about.

 

[Captante]

Like I said I know the ENTIRE state well ... Northwest NJ is beautiful and so are parts of the shore. The Pine Barrens are "nature" alright.... and they're also BARREN of anything but scrub-pine trees and sand.

Sadly I was born in NJ although my family moved when I was one so I remember zip from being a little kid there .... my grandfather however lived there his entire 97 years along with other relatives.

NJ was the site of a lot of WWII industry in the US and many of the sites were left to rot when they shut down.... and lord knows what is hiding at the bottom of the Raritan-river/bay courtesy of Dutch Boy.

 

[Muse]

I gotta give some love to barefoot shoes. Not for hiking, but for just around town. I love the zero drop stack and letting your foot sit as natural, your toes can wiggle and aren't pushed together. It's so much more sensible and natural. It gets rid of a lot of the worry about a shoe feeling too tight in the forefoot. Different brands make different barefoot style shoes with different amounts of stack heights, so you should be able to find one that suits the amount of padding you want between you and the ground.

Never heard of barefoot shoes before (the term itself is fascinating!), but yes, I've often wondered about the seeming fact that most shoes compress the toes together and eventually feet so constricted become deformed, not what they would be if not so conformed to the interior of shoes. Obviously, this is a modern problem. I suppose that 10,000 years ago this did not happen.

I NEVER go barefoot, even in the house. I see people in public in flip flops and it looks strange to me, I figure I'd be quite uncomfortable if I tried that. I do have bathroom flats, kind of fancy flip flops, with much thicker soles. Occasionally I'll wear them in the house for a bit but mostly just put on a pair when about to shower.

 

[BoomerD]

Never heard of barefoot shoes before (the term itself is fascinating!), but yes, I've often wondered about the seeming fact that most shoes compress the toes together and eventually feet so constricted become deformed, not what they would be if not so conformed to the interior of shoes. Obviously, this is a modern problem. I suppose that 10,000 years ago this did not happen.

I NEVER go barefoot, even in the house. I see people in public in flip flops and it looks strange to me, I figure I'd be quite uncomfortable if I tried that. I do have bathroom flats, kind of fancy flip flops, with much thicker soles. Occasionally I'll wear them in the house for a bit but mostly just put on a pair when about to shower.

The "barefoot shoes" always looked weird to me...a bit too...hippie for my liking. I remember New Balance used to give you the option of the SL2 last for shoes with a wider toe box. Didn't cramp the toes so much. Don't know if they still make them or not. (looks like not many models in that last style.

https://support.newbalance.com/s/article/What-is-the-roomiest-fitting-New-Balance-running-shoe

They work great for my "Flintstone feet."

 

[Captante]

The original "barefoot" shoe.... "Earth Shoes" circa 1973 or so:

At least these ugly-a$$ things protected your feet unlike the glorified slippers they sell as "barefoot" sneakers these days.

THE SHOE GENIUS OF EARLY 1970S EARTH SHOES (ozy.com)

 

[BoomerD]

The original "barefoot" shoe.... "Earth Shoes" circa 1973 or so:

At least these ugly-a$$ things protected your feet unlike the glorified slippers they sell as "barefoot" sneakers these days.

THE SHOE GENIUS OF EARLY 1970S EARTH SHOES (ozy.com)

I remember those...Fckn "hippie shoes."

 

[Captante]

I remember those...Fckn "hippie shoes."

My mom bought me a pair and tried to make me wear them.... they sucked.

Freaking sold a million of them for like 6 months then everyone realized the above-bolded and they quickly died out.

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

Never heard of barefoot shoes before (the term itself is fascinating!), but yes, I've often wondered about the seeming fact that most shoes compress the toes together and eventually feet so constricted become deformed, not what they would be if not so conformed to the interior of shoes. Obviously, this is a modern problem. I suppose that 10,000 years ago this did not happen.

I NEVER go barefoot, even in the house. I see people in public in flip flops and it looks strange to me, I figure I'd be quite uncomfortable if I tried that. I do have bathroom flats, kind of fancy flip flops, with much thicker soles. Occasionally I'll wear them in the house for a bit but mostly just put on a pair when about to shower.

I used to run in my barefoot shoes (vibrams) a long while back. Mix of concrete and dirt, worked well. Got good at rolling the foot around when pointy rocks reared their head. Did a little actual barefoot running too but I didn't have the luxury of spending 6mo or whatever bloodying up my feet for the callouses needed to do it long-term.

Never understand people that wear shoes indoors, I'm barefoot basically everywhere that isn't a public venue.

 

[Captante]

I used to run in my barefoot shoes (vibrams) a long while back. Mix of concrete and dirt, worked well. Got good at rolling the foot around when pointy rocks reared their head. Did a little actual barefoot running too but I didn't have the luxury of spending 6mo or whatever bloodying up my feet for the callouses needed to do it long-term.

Never understand people that wear shoes indoors, I'm barefoot basically everywhere that isn't a public venue.

That is the one real "plus" I've experienced with modern "barefoot" sneakers beyond light weight.... because they're so soft they "flex" around many potential ankle-twists/sprains.

However also due to the "flex" these same "ankle-twisters" can become arch/heel-bruisers instead when they make contact with your insole which isn't a whole lot better.

Step on a marble-size pebble the wrong way it will feel like you've "found" a lost lego during a midnight bathroom-run!

 

[MrSquished]

Yeah barefoot shoes have evolved quite a bit. Most just look like regular sneakers or shoes or hikers. My Lem's primal two have become my daily drivers. Gotten compliments on the looks as well. They have a little more cushion than the more bare barefoot shoes, there's no difference in the height of of your heel versus your forefoot, and your toes get to be natural.

I wear them for any daily errands, walking my dog, just going to hang out casually. They are go anywhere kind of kicks.

Edit: also Altra makes some more natural fitting kicks with room for toes to be toes, and zero or less drop between heel and forefoot, but with more regular amounts of cushioning as regular kicks.

 

[nakedfrog]

I used to run in my barefoot shoes (vibrams) a long while back. Mix of concrete and dirt, worked well. Got good at rolling the foot around when pointy rocks reared their head. Did a little actual barefoot running too but I didn't have the luxury of spending 6mo or whatever bloodying up my feet for the callouses needed to do it long-term.

Never understand people that wear shoes indoors, I'm barefoot basically everywhere that isn't a public venue.

Definitely prefer being barefoot when it's an option.

 

[Charmonium]

I measured my own feet this time, seems length is ~10 7/8, width ~4 3/8

OMG YOU'RE bigfoot.

I shouldn't laugh tho. I'm just under 4 inches and that's considered narrow.

There isn't a lot of consistency in sizing these days. Last time I went with some other folks to lanes, I had to get a size 11. I have my own shoes but I wasn't going to haul all of my gear along.

 

[Muse]

OMG YOU'RE bigfoot.

I shouldn't laugh tho. I'm just under 4 inches and that's considered narrow.

There isn't a lot of consistency in sizing these days. Last time I went with some other folks to lanes, I had to get a size 11. I have my own shoes but I wasn't going to haul all of my gear along.

I got back into bowling after decades off when my volunteer gig folks decided, hey, let's bowl some together! Bought a new ball, shoes, would go alone after a while for afternoon discount. I used to use the max, had my own 16lb ball. Taking it up again, someone convinced me I'd do better with a lighter ball, 14 pounds and that's what I got, 7 years ago. At first I couldn't get a strike with it! I think the last game I bowled was my highest game ever, a 242. It was less than a year, haven't hit the lanes since.

Those shoes really don't fit me, I couldn't find bowling shoes that did. I haven't put them on since.

 

[Muse]

I've been buying mens New Balance 11 4E for years and figured I was fine. They are pretty consistent in their sizing, I don't remember thinking any "don't fit." But I haven't had my feet measured in I figure a couple decades, maybe more. So, I measured my own feet this time, seems length is ~10 7/8, width ~4 3/8. I see me recommended between a 10 1/2 and 11 size and either a 4E or 5-6E, using two different sites' charts.

So, a few days ago I search Ebay for New Balance 11 4E, actually looking for the 902 I bought around 10+ years ago, a high end basketball shoe. I did see a 10 4E. Definitely too small. I spotted a Pre-owned NB 10 1/2 4E that looked brand new in the pictures and the price was good, a running shoe. Reviews at Amazon are really good. I used to be a 10 1/2, just bought 11 to size up for safety. I figured I'd get them, I'd probably fit in them. They come today, indeed they look new, looks like someone wore them for maybe 15 minutes. I tried them on and too tight, the left big toe touches the front. Now, this was like 1/2 hour after quad skating 10 miles and lately my feet have been hurting while skating, which is a new thing. Been doing this almost daily for 2 years. It's one reason I'm thinking new skating shoes are a good idea, also current skate shoes are breaking down, the right one more than the left, but it is time to change.

Maybe my feet swelled today while skating and the 10 1/2 4E shoes will fit better after a few hours, or overnight. I am sure I used to wear New Balance 10 1/2 4E. Maybe my feet are bigger now? Another factor, I am today wearing my thicker white sox. I have thinner ones.

 

[Captante]

Your feet always swell from increased blood-flow when you work out and it's wise to buy athletic shoes with that size in mind.

I know this because it's a particular problem with ski-boots... it you choose a boot that fits snugly in the ski shop it will be too tight after your second run of the day. (and ski boots need to be very close-fitting for control)

 

[Muse]

Your feet always swell from increased blood-flow when you work out and it's wise to buy athletic shoes with that size in mind.

I know this because it's a particular problem with ski-boots... it you choose a boot that fits snugly in the ski shop it will be too tight after your second run of the day. (and ski boots need to be very close-fitting for control)

Yeah, they fit WAY BETTER in the morning. If I clip my toe nails shorter and wear thinner socks, better yet, but I will NOT be using these 10 1/2 4E running shoes for running!

 

[Gardener]

@Muse

Who do I see about joining this 4E New Balance club? I am partial to the 481 trail shoe, in a size 12EEEE for trail walking.

Ample toebox, after decades of having my wide feet stuck in longer, narrower shoes. Damn conspiracy on the part of Big Shoe.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Didn’t read the thread.

IMO, should sizes should be in centimeters or millimeters. Always. Both length and width.

This is how I shop for shoes.

 

[Muse]

Do those wooden spring loaded shoe thingies do anything for size or are they just to maintain the shape? I have a pair of them somewhere.

 

[Muse]

@Muse

Who do I see about joining this 4E New Balance club? I am partial to the 481 trail shoe, in a size 12EEEE for trail walking.

Ample toebox, after decades of having my wide feet stuck in longer, narrower shoes. Damn conspiracy on the part of Big Shoe.

Here it is!

I wore mine this morning a few minutes. Seemed pretty light and although just walking on carpet and linoleum, felt more like moccasins than a tough trail shoe. I've heard of running a marathon barefootl! Wait, the 1960 Olympic Marathon was won by a barefooter!

he became the first Black African to win an Olympic Gold medal.