Hey everyone,

Looking for some FTM shoe advice.  

I have small feet (US women's 7), which makes it tougher to find men's shoes that fit me. Tips to find shoes that fit or make larger shoes fit better? Does stuffing them with insoles work?

For the summer, I was thinking of getting some Birkenstock sandals and also some Doc Martens. I also have some foot issues... bunions not from heels, but from steel toe boots! I'm walking a lot every day and wearing hiking cross trainers. I also like stylish shoes and I'm a sucker for boots especially. I do have some Converse but since the sole is flexible, I shouldn't go too far in them. A stiff, cushioned sole is best.

Cheers!

It's expensive but there are shoe makers out there that will custom make shoes to fit your foot. My brother had extremely narrow feet and liked cowboy style boots. He found a custom boot maker that was able to fit his feet and he wore them for many years.

Your size is right on the cusp between kid's sizes and men's sizes, so it'll probably come down to individual sizing of different brands to get a good fit. On the positive side, kids shoes are cheaper. I'm not very fashion-forward. I have a few pairs of boots, some slip on Vans, running shoes, and a few pairs of dress shoes.

I have a pair of Doc Martens. They are a little bit looser than I would've liked, but the size down didn't fit at all. Insoles help to an extent, but you may have to cut them down to size which IMO reduces the comfort of them. Thicker socks when it's cold outside helps immensely. Definitely recommend going into a shop and trying them on to see.

Vans shoes are unisex and I've never had a problem finding something that fits me in that brand.

Running shoes are easier to find in smaller sizes if you go to a running store. And if they don't have them in stock they can usually special order them.

For nicer dress shoes, I go to Clark's. I don't think I've seen anything below a men's 6 there though.

Quote from: Dena on July 16, 2016, 10:54:43 AM
It's expensive but there are shoe makers out there that will custom make shoes to fit your foot. My brother had extremely narrow feet and liked cowboy style boots. He found a custom boot maker that was able to fit his feet and he wore them for many years.

Mmm, custom shoes, dreamy. Sadly out of the budget right now. But that reminds me I do have some really nice black Boulet cowboy boots somewhere that need to be resoled. I have narrow feet too.

Quote from: FTMax on July 16, 2016, 11:25:13 AM
Your size is right on the cusp between kid's sizes and men's sizes, so it'll probably come down to individual sizing of different brands to get a good fit. On the positive side, kids shoes are cheaper. I'm not very fashion-forward. I have a few pairs of boots, some slip on Vans, running shoes, and a few pairs of dress shoes.

I have a pair of Doc Martens. They are a little bit looser than I would've liked, but the size down didn't fit at all. Insoles help to an extent, but you may have to cut them down to size which IMO reduces the comfort of them. Thicker socks when it's cold outside helps immensely. Definitely recommend going into a shop and trying them on to see.

Vans shoes are unisex and I've never had a problem finding something that fits me in that brand.

Running shoes are easier to find in smaller sizes if you go to a running store. And if they don't have them in stock they can usually special order them.

For nicer dress shoes, I go to Clark's. I don't think I've seen anything below a men's 6 there though.

I'd be delighted if I could fit into kids shoes - great for the budget.

I do love Vans too, will need to check them out again. I'll take a look at Clarks too. I had some awesome Docs once upon a time, would love another pair. I walked everywhere in those things.

In my hunting around this morning online, I found that Zappos.com has a nice search feature down to half sizes, and has smaller mens' shoe sizes.

Quote from: Hughie on July 16, 2016, 11:33:14 AM

Quote from: FTMax on July 16, 2016, 11:25:13 AM
Your size is right on the cusp between kid's sizes and men's sizes, so it'll probably come down to individual sizing of different brands to get a good fit. On the positive side, kids shoes are cheaper. I'm not very fashion-forward. I have a few pairs of boots, some slip on Vans, running shoes, and a few pairs of dress shoes.

I have a pair of Doc Martens. They are a little bit looser than I would've liked, but the size down didn't fit at all. Insoles help to an extent, but you may have to cut them down to size which IMO reduces the comfort of them. Thicker socks when it's cold outside helps immensely. Definitely recommend going into a shop and trying them on to see.

Vans shoes are unisex and I've never had a problem finding something that fits me in that brand.

Running shoes are easier to find in smaller sizes if you go to a running store. And if they don't have them in stock they can usually special order them.

For nicer dress shoes, I go to Clark's. I don't think I've seen anything below a men's 6 there though.

I'd be delighted if I could fit into kids shoes - great for the budget.

I do love Vans too, will need to check them out again. I'll take a look at Clarks too. I had some awesome Docs once upon a time, would love another pair. I walked everywhere in those things.

In my hunting around this morning online, I found that Zappos.com has a nice search feature down to half sizes, and has smaller mens' shoe sizes.

Go to the store and find shoes you like and make sure they fit, then go home and buy them on Zappos. They do a lot of great customer retention work so if you are going to be buying a lot of shoes, definitely use them as they'll send you coupons.

Quote from: FTMax on July 16, 2016, 11:54:45 AM
I'd be delighted if I could fit into kids shoes - great for the budget.

I do love Vans too, will need to check them out again. I'll take a look at Clarks too. I had some awesome Docs once upon a time, would love another pair. I walked everywhere in those things.

In my hunting around this morning online, I found that Zappos.com has a nice search feature down to half sizes, and has smaller mens' shoe sizes.


Go to the store and find shoes you like and make sure they fit, then go home and buy them on Zappos. They do a lot of great customer retention work so if you are going to be buying a lot of shoes, definitely use them as they'll send you coupons.

Great suggestion, will do some scouting today. Cheers!

You should still fit into boys sizes. Many places carry boys 5 that would fit you. I have also seen boys 6 in many stores that would fit a woman's 8.
I would start with those if money is limited.

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Quote from: arice on July 17, 2016, 12:00:56 AM
You should still fit into boys sizes. Many places carry boys 5 that would fit you. I have also seen boys 6 in many stores that would fit a woman's 8.
I would start with those if money is limited.

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I will check these out too, cheers!

I'm also a size seven, so I buy my shoes in the little boy's department. However, I've also found that there are a couple of brands (vans, for example) where if I buy the smallest men's size available and wear an insole, they're quite comfortable. And they make my feet look a little bit bigger. The biggest problem with buying in the kid's section is that I can't seem to find good formal wear shoes that I would like.

Quote from: WorkingOnThomas on July 17, 2016, 03:24:15 AM
I'm also a size seven, so I buy my shoes in the little boy's department. However, I've also found that there are a couple of brands (vans, for example) where if I buy the smallest men's size available and wear an insole, they're quite comfortable. And they make my feet look a little bit bigger. The biggest problem with buying in the kid's section is that I can't seem to find good formal wear shoes that I would like.

Yeah, agreed, after a bit of scouting around yesterday. There are some boy Florsheims that aren't bad, but the mens shoes and boots I really like start at men's 7 for the most part, some at 8. Is there a way to make the 7s fit? Thick socks? Insoles?

Quote from: WorkingOnThomas on July 17, 2016, 03:24:15 AM
The biggest problem with buying in the kid's section is that I can't seem to find good formal wear shoes that I would like.

Amazon! I found the same problem because I really wanted black Oxfords but wear a boys size 6 and couldn't find any that didn't look 'juveniled' down. Found some great ones on Amazon for $50USD.

Quote from: Hughie on July 17, 2016, 08:50:54 AM
Yeah, agreed, after a bit of scouting around yesterday. There are some boy Florsheims that aren't bad, but the mens shoes and boots I really like start at men's 7 for the most part, some at 8. Is there a way to make the 7s fit? Thick socks? Insoles?

I use insoles - but even then there's no guarantee. it depends on the shoe. That's why I don't buy online if I'm not certain.

I was looking through my closet yesterday and wanted to add another brand to your list for consideration - Puma. Their shoes seem to run smaller than other brands, so you may have more luck with a 7 if you find one you like.

Good tips, cheers! At the moment, I'm living in my classic Birks, and thinking ahead to fall shoes...