Comfort redefined: Finding the perfect fit for your feet

We crave comfort – a comfortable chair to sit in, a comfortable temperature inside our cars, comfortable clothes to wear, a comfortable bed to sleep in and, of course, comfortable shoes to wear all day.

How many pairs of shoes do you have in your cupboard that you don't wear because they are uncomfortable? Wouldn't it be nice if your feet were as comfortable in the shoes you wear as your head is on your favourite pillow?

Most of us have the same shoe-buying routine: you go to your local shoe stockist and browse until you find a style you like, and then you ask for the same size shoe you always wear. You try on one shoe, wiggle your toes and make sure there is enough space at the back using your finger. You walk a few steps around the shop to be sure your shoe fits.

Finally, you spend the most time admiring your choice in the mirror. It's amusing that we expect shoes that meet our comfort cravings based on this routine.

At least in days gone by – those days when we listened to the Top 40 on the radio and went to the local school outfitter with our mom or grandma for school and church shoes – our foot was measured to determine our shoe size.

Modern methods have made our lives so much easier, and technology has provided us with specialised footwear that is lighter, offers more support and feels natural. None of these matters because the toe wiggle and finger in the back of the shoe tests don't determine the correct shoe size for your feet. Even more so, online shopping doesn't allow us to do our 'shoe-fitting routine'. Thankfully, you can find out how to measure your foot size at home with a Google search.

Also, gratefully, there are still specialist shoe stores that take your foot measurement seriously. The trained sales executive knows that your feet change slightly during the day, so the best time to measure your foot is later in the day. Also, your foot shape changes with age, so you likely won't wear the same size shoe your whole adult life.

Next time you are buying a pair of shoes, remember to measure first. After all, shoe designers want your feet to be comfortable in their shoes.

At Woodland, we want you to get the most adventure out of your Woodland experience. Our stockists will go the extra mile to ensure your feet feel good in our footwear – free from pain and that 'squished' feeling.