Minor Asymmetry is the Norm not the Exception.
When you focus on your face in the mirror, you will have noticed that the left side is slightly different from the right. And so it follows, from the head to the toes, that we are rarely symmetrical. Every human body is as unique as the individual, whether the differences are due to genetics, injury, muscle weaknesses, or joint irregularities. All human bodies share similarities like a heart just to the left in our chests and one lung that is smaller in response. We have a dominant side, a “standing” leg that is better with balance and a “gesture” leg that tends to lead first. The feet are often the most obvious parts of the body to show divergence, which is why it can be so difficult to find the right fit. What do you do when one foot is longer, but the other shorter and wider?
Not only do feet support heavy loads, but they also have the most bones and ligaments responsible for a multitude of moving tasks throughout the day. At some point, you may think of either one as your “good” or “bad” foot because of how each evolves over time with age and the pressures we place on them. The shape and measurements of length, width, and depth exhibit variations that work for some shoes and not others. Finding the right fit is a combination of observing these differences and matching them with the right footwear. At New Balance Victoria, there are a few ways the puzzle can be solved. Fit specialists have access to a 3D scanner, a Brannock device, and multiple width choices in several shoe models.
An important concept to keep in mind when getting fitted is that feet do change over time so getting measured first will likely lead to more success finding shoes that match the shape of your feet. Commonly, people have a shorter, wider foot and a longer narrower foot which means that you should always try both the right and left shoe on. Differences can also appear in varying heights of the instep and arch or width at the ball or heel. Sometimes bone deformities like bunions happen on one foot and not the other. Typically, the solution is to fit the bigger foot or find the middle road between, as long as the longer foot is not jamming against the front and there is enough width to be snug but not tight.
The 3D scanner at New Balance Victoria takes just a few moments to snap multiple pictures of your feet. The machine visually creates an image on the touch screen, which can be manipulated to see your feet from different angles. The information it gathers shows the length, ball width, arch height, in-step height, and heel width of each foot separately and in comparison. Thus, the fit specialist can then use this information to narrow down which shoes would work best for your feet. The image will capture structural details like overpronation, but the staff are not qualified to diagnose as a doctor or other foot specialist would.
Asymmetry aside, both feet may go up a size from what they’ve always been. The fascia in the arch tends to lose elasticity with age so as it falls, the foot lengthens. With weight gain there is more pressure on all parts of your feet and, consequently, both the width and length can be affected. It is not unusual for there to be a difference in arch profiles, but if one side is experiencing discomfort from a falling arch, specially made orthotics may be the answer.
Finding the right fit is made easier with width ranges. Options at New Balance range from narrow to extra-wide in certain models, along with different lasts that offer the most suitable shape and foundation. If you do happen to have feet that are very close to being symmetrical, consider yourself an outlier or even a unicorn! For most of the population: Vivé La Difference!