How to Measure an Insole

Image of shoe insoles

The insole of a shoe is the flat part on the bottom of the shoe that touches the foot. Insoles protect the foot and absorb the shock of impact on feet during walking or running. Specialty insoles are available for people with foot problems and for athletes who need special support or shock absorbency. Measuring an insole can help find the best fit when shopping for new shoes. Contact an orthopedic specialist with any questions about insoles or how to find the best fit for shoes.

Things You'll Need

• Shoes
• Soft tape measure
• Pencil
• Paper

Instructions

1. Pick a current pair of shoes that fit well, are comfortable and that you wear often.

2. Take a soft tape measure and place the tip on the inside of the shoe, gently touching the toe of the shoe.

3. Pull the tape measure so that it lies flat in the shoe and look at the number where the tape measure meets the heel of the shoe. Make a note of the number, which is the inside shoe length.

4. Take the tape measure and measure the width of the shoe at the widest part, which is typically where the ball of the foot rests. Make sure the tape measure is flat and touches each side of the shoe. Make a note of this number, which is the inside shoe width.

5. Write down both the inside shoe width and length on a piece of paper that you can take with you when shopping for shoes. These are your insole measurements.

References

• EBay Guides: Vintage, Used, and Preowned Shoes: Do They Measure Up?
• Hip Vintage: How to Measure Shoes