Shoe Size: Does the Wrong Size Affect How You Walk?

Before becoming a physical therapist, buying sneakers was simple: go into the store, see a pair you like, maybe try a few on to make sure they fit, and buy them. After PT school, the way we look at human motion changes completely, and footwear choices become much more complex.

Footwear types, flat feet versus high arches, and which brands are best could each be their own discussion. Today we’ll keep it simple: does the wrong size shoe affect the way we walk?

What the Research Found

In a study from Japan, 30 healthy adults were given shoes anywhere from 1 to 3 cm longer than their measured foot length. Researchers measured how fast participants walked and how much the joints in their legs (hip, knee and ankle) moved.

The longer the shoe compared to the foot, the more participants’ joints had to move. It also took participants longer to walk the same distance in longer shoes than in correctly fitted shoes. In other words, the longer the shoes, the more their movement changed and the slower they became.

Image spot (optional): person walking, side view

The Takeaway

Shoe size can affect how we move. Shoes that don’t fit properly can make walking harder, so fit is worth checking the next time you buy a pair.

This article is for general education and isn’t a diagnosis or a substitute for care from a licensed provider. If your symptoms last or get worse, see a physical therapist or your doctor.