3 tips for not changing the size

One of my worst memories of my time as a runner in cushioned shoes is the pain in my toes.

When it came to choosing a size, I didn't follow any rules.

If my toes were almost at the tip of the shoe, they were fine. They are my size.

Of course, that's still, without movement, which is how one usually tries on shoes.

But as soon as I started walking or running, things changed, because the foot "grows" to cushion the impact.

Something important that I didn't know before.

We can say that the arch of the foot is flattened.

A little bit.

This happens in a short period of time, and then it returns to its natural position.

But these swings or brief movements of the foot cause the toes collide with the front of the shoe.

This often turns getting black nails and sore toes.

This was even worse, if the way where I run has slopes. (Trick to avoid the movement of the foot inside the shoes).

In the world of runners, this is very normal, it seems that if you do not have a black nail you have never been a runner.

Like the leg of the ham, if you don't have a black hoof it's not the good one.

4 steps not to change the size of your shoes when buying online.

1. Measure your foot
2. Choose type of setting
3. Entering data on the orange button
4. Check the size

1.- This step is the most important. Without the size of your foot it is difficult to get it right the first time.

Why?

• Because every brand has its last. Its pattern. And it doesn't usually has relation with any other.
• The established sizes do not correspond from one brand to another. Sometimes even at the same brand the sizes are different. A Vivobarefoot in size 43 measures different than a size 43 in Merrell.
• The size of the foot is a clear and unequivocal reference. It is an objective and very reliable data.

Measuring the foot is very easy, you just have to put your foot (first one and then the other) on a wall and with a pencil point out a line on the longest toe.

2.- How does the shoe fit on your foot?

Before talking about the fit, two quick but extremely important notes.

A. The shoe should not break the linearity of the big toe. Say in another way. It must not end in a point.

If the thumb is pushed inward by the shape of the shoe, the shoe loses its function. Remember that this toe is the engine of the foot. Watch out!

B. We must feel the toes free. With enough space inside the shoes.

This is key to any shoe, and more so, if it why it is labeled as a barefoot shoe.

Of course, in some activities you will be more comfortable with a shoe that fits tightly around the ankle and at other times you will prefer to go looser.

In general, for walking or running on asphalt or city, you don't need to feel the shoe sticking to your foot.

Yes if you are going to run on mountains or uneven terrain.



How do you know what kind of adjustment the shoe offers?

By reading the characteristics or with the videos. Both sections are placed inside the product.

There are shoes with an integrated tongue, others with a classic tongue... and even shoes with a half integrated, half loose or classic tongue. If your foot has a lot of instep or is very wide, you are the one with the classic tongue.

There are also models with a particular fit, like the Merrell Trail Glove. In all its versions, and they go 5 and up. The fit is maximized in the central part of the shoe.

This is achieved with the help of the sole that goes up at the the plantar arch zone.

So the first time you wear the shoe you think it has arch support.

Something unthinkable in a pure minimalist.

You will think they are a sh*t. When you are really looking at the best fit a shoe can offer.

In a couple of days they'll be a glove. As its name.

3.- Enter the measurement of your longest foot on the button.

We measure all the shoes we have and pass the data to a calibrator.

If you enter your foot measurement data in the orange button, next to the size selector, it will give you your foot size.

The calibrator does not take the width of the shoes, so if your foot is wider than normal you should choose a larger size.

This is to ensure that the shoe fits and does not deform your foot.

At ZaMi we have represented it as tighter or looser.

4.- Check if the size is correct

An image to clarify the issue.

As summary:

• Measure your foot
• Choose the type of adjustment according to your preferences or activity to do
• Enter the measurement of your longest foot in the chosen model
• Finally, check the size

There you go.

Now to feel the terrain, to enjoy every step,...

...to jump, run or jump...

...but always the right size.