How Should Sandals Fit?

|
Jul 08, 22
Proper sandals should fit comfortably and snugly to give your feet the support and protection they need to last through the day. This article will offer everything you need to know about proper-fitting sandals as well as a functional sizing guide from SASNola.

 

Before we dive in, note that standard shoe styles vary from sandals. For traditional shoes, your feet should have a bit of wiggle room—about one finger's width of space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. You can check the space by slipping a finger between the heel of your foot and the heel of your shoe. If one finger fits snugly (without any adjustment or force), you’ve got yourself the perfect fit.

 

Alternatively, how should sandals fit? Since sandals alone vary so much in style and design, there are a few things to look and feel for:

 

How Should Sandals Fit? Look at the Measurements

 

Size charts offered by the brand in question are your friend! Relying on size assumptions is often what gets us into a cycle of foot problems and pain, especially if it’s been some time since you’ve determined your shoe size. Even if you’ve been wearing the same size for ages, it may not be your perfect fit! If you’re in the market for a new pair of sandals, take the time to check your measurements against the charts.

 

For sandals, stand with the back of your foot firmly against a wall on flat, level ground. Then, measure from heel to toe, as you’d expect. Compare that measurement against the size chart.

 

Next, move on to width. At SAS, we use the following terminology compared to traditional width nomenclature:


SAS WOMEN'S WIDTH GUIDE
Tradition Width SAS Equivalent
AAA Slim (S)
AA Narrow (N)
B Medium (M)
C Wide (W)
D Double Wide (WW)
E - EE Triple Wide (WWW)


SAS MEN'S WIDTH GUIDE
Tradition Width SAS Equivalent
B Slim (S)
C Narrow (N)
D Medium (M)
E Wide (W)
2E - 3E Double Wide (WW)
3E - 4E Triple Wide (WWW)

 

Width sizing will vary based on your primary shoe size. As that size increases, so will the standard width of a shoe. If you have additional questions or concerns about your perfect width, don’t hesitate to contact us and we can give you more specifics on the shoe styles you’re interested in.

 

How Should Sandals Fit? Feel Them Out

 

Generally speaking, shoe size and sandal size tend to be the same, but since sandals fit differently, you may find that sizing up from your standard shoe size is the route to go.

 

Otherwise, ensure that the base of the sandal fits your foot shape (no spillage or shrinkage). The width of the sandal should be slightly larger than the width of your foot to provide the necessary support. Sandals should have thicker soles with low-to-no heels to provide proper shock absorption and protection.

 

While not necessarily a “must” in terms of sizing, you should look for flexible sandals with velcro or buckle closure to craft a completely custom fit, and you should seek out sandals with arch support for your longitudinal and metatarsal arches (or utilize custom inserts to protect against plantar fasciitis).

 

TLDR: How should sandals fit? Determining your perfect fit is both an art and a science. Sandals should fit snugly yet still be comfortable for everyday wear. Shop men’s and women’s sandal styles from SASNola.

 

Find Your Perfect Fit from SASNola

Woman wearing SAS’ Huarache sandal style in Chalk with her feet in the air against a colorful outdoor display

When you find yourself asking, “How should sandals fit?” the answer is “like SASNola sandals—perfectly.” We prioritize timeless style with innovative footwear technology in our footwear line for all. Not only that, but we promote sustainable shoe commerce with styles that work for multiple occasions.

 

Say goodbye to ill-fitting, uncomfortable sandals and pare down to staple styles from SAS this season.

 

More like this:

 

https://sasnola.com/blogs/news/sas-walking-sandals-a-complete-list

https://sasnola.com/blogs/news/sas-dress-sandals-complete-list

https://sasnola.com/blogs/news/the-4-most-popular-sas-orthopedic-sandals

https://sasnola.com/blogs/news/get-to-know-your-feet-27-terms