Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Dear Shoe Companies,

I kind of hate you.


Well no, I don't hate you, I hate your marketing, I hate your sizing charts, and I hate your complete disregard for those of us with large feet!

Yes - I admit it, I have large feet.  When I was in Grade 7 my feet were size 7, and then for the next 5 years every grade had a new shoe size until finally they stopped growing in grade 11.  Now I'm between a 10.5 - 11 in most shoes, I might be able to get away with a 10 in heels, but I have to go for an 11-11.5 in boots.

Many a men's shoe has graced my foot just to deal the lack of large sizing for women.  It's the shits, to put it lightly.

Of course the fact that I can opt for Men's shoes now and then makes me lucky - my loving Hubby however has no hope.  His 6'1" frame is settled firmy on a size 15 foundation.  He was the first man I've ever met who had feet that big, and then I met his best friend - who WEARS THE SAME SIZE!!! How's that even possible that such a minority end up becoming best friends?

Anyway, back to my rant...

I love shoes, I really do - but I hate shoe shopping with a burning passion.  Upon entering a shoe store I go directly to a sales girl and ask them point blank "what's the biggest size you carry?"  "a 9?  Okay - thanks anyway"

I was once told "we get one size 10 of every model, but those are always the first to go"  Really?  the 10's go first huh?  maybe because I'm not alone in my quest?  Maybe because it's not only ONE girl in Edmonton with feet this big, maybe there are many of us?!?  Did you ever stop to think about that Shoe Companies?  I mean really!!

And I know some of you are reading this thinking "Go to Payless!  They carry up to 12"   Let me ask you a question, have you ever taken a look at the ladies large shoes in Payless?  And if you have, and have any sort of style - would you put them on Your feet?  Apparently the bigger the size the more hideous the shoe has to be - because we don't already bring enough attention to our flipper feet, we need to cover them in gold glitter, and lime green flowers!  Not to mention, in the off chance you do find a shoe that isn't overly vomit-inducing, you can only really get 4-6 months wear out of it before it starts to break down, in a bad way.  I'm talking about holes in the soles, the heel breaking down, straps breaking, canvas pulling from the seams a whole other host of other problems.  Payless shoes aren't built to last - that's how they can charge $30 per shoe.

Stylin!


Just once I would love to go out in a pair of Nine West heels, or find that perfect fit in a pair of Jimmy Choo's.  Or buy a pair of runners from a store (not online) that fit - that are NOT men's, and that I didn't have to go to 4 stores just to locate.  Truth be told, I've looked into Drag Queen websites just to find dress shoes that are built for the size of my feet - and once again I find myself looking for Men's shoes for my female feet!  You don't see a problem with this?  Because I sure do!

This whole rant was prompted because of my quest for an awesome pair of running shoes.  I find when I run, my toes swell up and over lap each other causing blisters on the edges of every toe (not at all comfortable), so I was looking for a good pair of runners to help with that - which is when my search turned to Vibrams.



Vibrams, for those who don't know, are "Barefoot shoes" which sounds a little contradictory, but they are basically shoes that mold to your feet like socks, and are designed to bend and flex in the same way bare feet do so your muscles work the way they were meant to, but they give you a little bit of a barrier between your skin and sharp rocks or rough terrain.

This seemed like the perfect shoe for me, since it would separate my toes, and prevent the overlapping - thus improving my run!  Perfect!  ... until I got to the size chart...



  The way you measure your feet for Vibrams, is to put a ruler up against the wall, and step on it, with your heel pressed up against the wall.  I did that - 10.5 is where my largest toe sits (conveniently, the Big Toe).  What's that you say Vibrams?  the largest you sell in Women's is 10 3/8th?!?!  Oh joy!  They don't come in my size!

Story of my Bloody life!  Come on!  In this day and age where people are taller, wider, older, smarter you would think the shoe companies would catch up with the times and acknowledge those of us with big feet!  I really don't think that's too much to ask!!  Especially since the issue is only going to get worse with time!  I mean look at Ben and I, we both have quite big feet for our gender, our children are screwed.  Lets hope the Shoe Companies get a clue before our little Ben and Heather's reach High School and the shoe situation becomes a thing for them.  

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