Why Buying Bigger Shoes Is Not the Solution to Foot Problems

Feb 18, 2026

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Many people assume that if their feet hurt, swell, or feel tight, the simplest solution is to buy a bigger size.

It seems logical. More space must mean more comfort.

But in reality, buying bigger shoes often creates new problems instead of solving the original one.

At TDO Therapy, we regularly meet people who have sized up — sometimes by one or even two full sizes — just to gain width or depth. The result? Poor support, instability, pressure in the wrong places, and worsening foot conditions.

If you have diabetes, bunions, hammer toes, flat feet, arthritis, or swelling, the issue is rarely “length.”
The real issue is usually structure, depth, and medical-grade support.

Bigger Size vs Proper Depth: What’s the Difference?

Shoe size refers to length.
But many foot conditions require additional depth and internal volume, not extra length.

When you go up a size:

The shoe becomes longer
The flex point shifts forward
The arch support no longer aligns correctly
Heel grip becomes unstable
You increase friction and rubbing

This can lead to:

Heel slippage
Toe gripping
Callus formation
Worsening bunions
Increased fall risk
Reduced balance

What complex feet need is not more length — but more intelligent space.

Why Depth and Structure Matter More Than Length

Medical footwear is designed differently from high street shoes.

Proper orthopaedic and diabetic footwear provides:

Extra internal depth to reduce pressure
Structured heel counters for stability
Built-in arch support
Removable insoles for orthotics
Seam-free interiors to reduce friction
Rocker sole technology to reduce forefoot pressure

Without these elements, even a “wide” or “big” shoe may still fail.

A longer shoe with no structure is simply a larger unstable box.

The Hidden Problem: Thin or No Insoles

Another common issue we see in clinic is this:

Many people buy larger shoes and remove the insoles completely — or wear shoes with very thin, unsupportive insoles.

This removes:

Arch support
Shock absorption
Pressure distribution
Alignment correction

The result is increased strain on:

The forefoot
The arch
The knees
The hips
The lower back

Support is not optional for medical feet. It is protective.

Conditions That Are Often “Mistreated” with Bigger Shoes

We frequently see this pattern in people with:

Bunions (Hallux Valgus)
Hammer toes
Flat feet
Arthritis
Swollen feet
Diabetic neuropathy
Leg length discrepancies

Instead of treating the cause — pressure, imbalance, lack of depth — people compensate with size.

But compensation is not correction.

Why Professional Fitting Makes the Difference

Feet are three-dimensional.

They change during the day.
They swell.
They shift shape.
They lose fat padding with age.

Professional fitting measures:

Length
Width
Depth
Pressure areas
Gait pattern
Stability

At our Farnham store, many clients tell us:

“I didn’t even know something like this existed.”

They had been managing rather than solving.

When Is Bigger Size Actually Appropriate?

There are situations where slight sizing adjustments are needed.

But these are controlled decisions made during fitting — not self-diagnosed solutions.

True correction often means:

Correct width fitting (E, EE, 4E, etc.)
Extra depth construction
Medical-grade insole integration
Structured support
Biomechanically designed sole units

Not simply length.

A Better Question to Ask

Instead of asking:

“Should I buy a bigger size?”

Ask:

“Is this shoe designed to support my condition?”

That shift changes everything.

If You’ve Been Sizing Up, It May Be Time to Reassess

If you:

Constantly buy larger sizes for comfort
Remove insoles to make shoes fit
Still feel pressure or instability
Experience ongoing foot pain

You may not need bigger shoes.

You may need better shoes.

At TDO Therapy, we specialise in structured orthopaedic and diabetic footwear designed to protect, support, and complement medical treatment — not just accommodate discomfort.