• Wear the kind of socks you will wear when you are active. Cotton socks are best.
• Go to the store right after you have been active, if possible. That way, your feet will be the size they are when you are warmed up.
• The shoes should be comfortable right away. Try them on and walk around. They should NOT need to "stretch out" later.
• There should be on thumb's width of space between your longest toe and the end of the shoe.
• The heel should NOT pinch or slip around when you walk.
• The shoes should bend easily at the ball of your feet (just behind your toes).

Your shoes should match the shape of your foot and the way your feet strike the ground.

• Take your old shoes with you to the store. Ask the salesperson to look at the pattern of wear. This can show the kind of support you need. For example, if the back of the shoe is worn down unevenly on the bottom (that is, does it slant toward the inside or outside)? If so, you may need extra support for arches or flat feet.
• Be sure to tell the salesperson the kind of activity you plan to do. Many shoes are made for a specific activity, such as running or aerobic dance. They will give you the kind of support needed for that activity.