The Real Reason Your Shoes Hurt All Day
An odd sized pair of Chukka Boots made for one of our clients - he has one foot half a size bigger than the other
Most gents think of shoes as something you choose because you like the style. Maybe the colour. Maybe the brand. But very few men think about what their shoes are doing to their feet, knees, hips and back every day and that’s where the problems begin.
As a bespoke tailor I see men all the time who tell me their feet ache after a long day or they’ve given up on certain shoe styles because they “just don’t work for my feet”. When you dig a bit deeper the issue is almost always the same - the shoes never fit properly in the first place.
I’m going to walk you through why ill-fitting shoes are a hidden health risk, why so many men end up in the wrong size without even realising it, and how getting your correct size (and shape) makes an enormous difference to your comfort and long term wellbeing.
Most Men Are Wearing the Wrong Size Without Realising It
Study after study has shown that a huge percentage of adults wear shoes that are either too small, too narrow, too long or the wrong shape for their foot. And there are a few reasons this happens.
• Feet have grown wider and longer over the years
• Most ready made shoes are built around standard lasts that don’t reflect real feet
• Men often “guess” their size based on what they’ve always worn
• Shop assistants often say “they’ll stretch out” (they won’t, not by enough)
• Sneaker culture during the COVID years changed how people perceive comfort
The result is that your foot gets squeezed, unsupported or forced into a shape that works for the shoe rather than the shoe working for your foot.
And after a few years of this you start to think the problem is you rather than the footwear.
What Ill-Fitting Shoes Actually Do to Your Body
Here’s where things get serious.
Ill-fitting shoes don’t just give you a blister: they can alter the way you walk, change how your body distributes weight and even affect your posture. Over time that can lead to:
• Foot pain
• Bunions
• Corns and calluses
• Pinched toes
• Collapsed arches
• Plantar Fasciitis (one of the most common issues I see among clients)
• Tight calves
• Knee, hip and lower back problems
It’s all connected. If your foundation is off, everything above it has to compensate.
Most men don’t link their foot discomfort to their shoes because it builds up slowly. You buy a pair that “feel fine in the shop” and then a couple days later - when it’s too late to even think about returning them - you can’t wait to kick them off the moment you get home.
That isn’t normal and it definitely isn’t something you should accept!
Why Ready-Made Shoes Struggle to Fit Most Men Properly
Ready made shoes are not made for YOUR feet.
They’re made for an average foot that doesn’t really exist. Most brands use a standard last, standard width and standard volume. Even when they offer different widths, the variance is limited.
The problem is your feet probably aren’t symmetrical or standard at all.
One foot might be:
• Half a size larger
• Wider at the forefoot
• Higher at the instep
• Narrower at the heel
• Straighter or more curved through the arch
And even if the size is “correct”, the shape of the shoe may be completely wrong for your foot. That’s why some shoes feel instantly comfortable and others feel like medieval torture devices.
Ready made footwear can look beautiful, but it simply can’t address the nuances of individual feet, especially if you have structural differences or bio-mechanical quirks.
Why Getting Your Correct Size Matters More Than Men Think
Here’s where a proper fitting pair of shoes transforms everything.
Your feet stop fighting the shoe.
Your knees stop compensating.
Your hips stop rotating to absorb imbalance.
Your back stops taking the impact.
You walk more naturally, stand more comfortably and feel more stable. Over a long working day that makes a huge difference.
This isn’t about luxury. It’s about health, comfort and the day-to-day quality of your life.
Where Made-to-Order Footwear Fits In
Now to be clear, our made to order shoes are not full bespoke footwear. We don’t create individual wooden lasts from scratch or conduct multiple fitting sessions the way a full bespoke shoemaker does.
But what we do offer is a far more accurate solution than standard ready made shoes.
At Roberto Revilla London we:
• Size both your feet individually
• Account for length, width and volume differences
• Match the shoe’s shape and pattern cutting to your foot proportions
• Offer different sole options depending on your lifestyle and comfort needs
• Build a shoe that respects how your feet actually move
This gives you a significantly better fit, more consistent comfort and a shoe that works with your biomechanics instead of against them.
And when a shoe fits properly it lasts longer too. Less strain, less distortion, less premature wear.
Who Benefits Most from Getting Their Correct Size?
Honestly everyone. But especially:
• Men who stand or walk a lot for work
• Men with lower back, knee or hip discomfort
• Men with odd-sized feet who always end up having to buy two pairs
• Men whose feet are slightly different in size (which is most people)
• Men who have struggled with certain shoe styles
• Men who want to stop wasting money on shoes they stop wearing after two weeks
If you’ve ever felt like “smart shoes just aren’t comfortable for me” there’s a very good chance the issue is the fit, not your feet.
Ill-fitting shoes are far more than an annoyance. They’re a daily stress on your body that adds up over time. And with how busy life gets, the last thing you need is avoidable pain just because your shoes weren’t the right size or shape for you.
If you want to experience what it’s like to wear shoes that are sized properly for your feet so you can walk comfortably, stand confidently and look sharp all day, we’d love to help.
Book your shoe appointment at Roberto Revilla London and let’s get you into a pair of shoes that finally feel the way they should.
