# Weight Loss and Shoe Size... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 27, 2009, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-and-shoe-size/497771 "2009-05-27T03:06:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sticks\_and\_Scones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sticks_and_scones/32/16951_2.png) [@Sticks\_and\_Scones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sticks_and_Scones)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-and-shoe-size/497771/1 "2009-05-27T03:06:51Z")
I have recently lost a fairly significant amount of weight, a little over 46 pounds. I’ve dropped 3 sizes and I’ve noticed that my rings are starting to fit again. I was wondering if I might expect my shoe size to change also. I’m curious about this because I’ve recently started getting blisters on my toes that I never had before and my shoes are fairly new. I currently wear a Women’s 11, 2E wide New Balance shoe. Has anyone else experienced this? ---
**Author:** ![Valgard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7feea3/32.png) [@Valgard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valgard)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-and-shoe-size/497771/2 "2009-05-27T03:27:36Z")
I lost 40 lbs and didn’t notice my shoes fitting any differently (went from 210 to 170, 5’ 10" male) however some women have told me that their shoes felt looser after they lost a bunch of weight. Is there any chance that you are much more active as part of your weight loss? If you’re spending a lot more time on your feet then you may need to do a little extra tootsie maintenance (proper socks, nail care, etc) to avoid blisters. A shoe that is perfectly adequate for lounging around may be uncomfortable if you’re walking a few extra miles each day. ---
**Author:** ![Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7cd45c/32.png) [@Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glory)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-and-shoe-size/497771/3 "2009-05-27T03:35:14Z")
I lost 70 lbs and dropped 1/2 a shoe size. ---
**Author:** ![Otanx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Otanx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otanx)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-and-shoe-size/497771/4 "2009-05-27T10:23:27Z")
Lost over 200lbs (425 to 211), and went down one full shoe size(16male to 15). Dropped 16" at the waist. After 4 years I have put some weight back on (260 - 270 now), and I still wear a size 15 shoe. -Otanx ---
**Author:** ![Teacake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Teacake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teacake)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-and-shoe-size/497771/5 "2009-05-27T11:21:39Z")
I have no input on the shoe size thing, but wow. Well done on the weight loss! (all of you! assuming you did it on purpose, of course.) ---
**Author:** ![Sticks\_and\_Scones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sticks_and_scones/32/16951_2.png) [@Sticks\_and\_Scones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sticks_and_Scones)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-and-shoe-size/497771/6 "2009-05-27T12:02:59Z")
Thanks to everyone for the input. How about any change in width? On behalf of myself, thanks, **Teacake**. I still have a long way to go. ---
**Author:** ![Tabithina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f04885/32.png) [@Tabithina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabithina)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-and-shoe-size/497771/7 "2009-05-27T12:22:49Z")
I also wear size eleven, but in the B width. I lost 42 lbs a few years ago with no change in shoe size. Then I got pregnant and gained all the weight back. Again, no change in shoe size. I used to be a size ten till I had my first child, then my feet seemed to change to size eleven permanently. I’m currently trying to walk the weight off again. I wear New Balance most of the time when I am walking, and have found that I need to replace my shoes every 3-4 months because I walk the “spring” out of them, and they get a little loose and sloppy with wear. I figure new shoes every few months is cheaper than having a back problem. My back aches when my shoes are “walked out”. I watch for sales and buy 2-3 pair when I find them, because eleven is not an easy size to find. If your shoes are starting to give you blisters, it might be time to start looking for another pair. If that’s not an option, this stuff will help with the blisters. It’s called Bodyglide, and runners use it for anything that gets friction. It has saved me from blisters and chafing many times. > **[Walgreens: Pharmacy, Health & Wellness, Photo & More for You](https://www.walgreens.com/)** > > Your go-to for Pharmacy, Health & Wellness and Photo products. Refill prescriptions online, order items for delivery or store pickup, and create Photo Gifts. FWIW, I’ve never owned any brand of athletic footwear at any price that I couldn’t wear out in a few months. So I stick with New Balance because I like their foot-bed and often can get good deals on them. On preview: my foot width has not changed in years regardless of my weight. Congrats on the weight loss! ---
**Author:** ![Teacake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Teacake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teacake)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-and-shoe-size/497771/8 "2009-05-27T12:41:46Z")
OK, I checked with my sister, who went from a UK 18/20 down to 8/10 (medical problems, not on purpose, sadly). She says that her width fitting definitely changed. ---
**Author:** ![Otanx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Otanx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otanx)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-and-shoe-size/497771/9 "2009-05-27T13:03:44Z")
I can’t say for sure that my width went down. I still wear normal width shoes, but they do seem to be looser than they used to be. -Otanx ---
**Author:** ![badbadrubberpiggy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/57b2e6/32.png) [@badbadrubberpiggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/badbadrubberpiggy)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-and-shoe-size/497771/10 "2009-05-27T13:07:36Z")
> [@Always Brings Pie](#): > > Thanks to everyone for the input. How about any change in width? > > On behalf of myself, thanks, **Teacake**. I still have a long way to go. I lost about 50lbs, and lost half a shoe size and now wear a regular width (usually) instead of wide width. ---
**Author:** ![Sudo\_Intellectual](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/73ab20/32.png) [@Sudo\_Intellectual](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sudo_Intellectual)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-and-shoe-size/497771/11 "2009-05-27T13:30:28Z")
I lost about 120 pounds and definitely went down a shoe size. I used to be a solid 11 (Womens) and found that even some of those didn’t fit right. Now a lot of my favorite shoes are too big and I can usually buy size 10 with no problem. Also found a lot of my knee high boots now sag down around my ankles. However, since I love buying new shoes, and there are a lot of shoes that only go up to size 10, I consider it a win win! ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-and-shoe-size/497771/12 "2009-05-27T15:09:13Z")
When I lost 60 pounds I also lost a full shoe size, from (US) women’s 9 to women’s 8 (or very slightly less, like a 7.75?). Hey, it’s a great excuse to go shoe shopping… ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-and-shoe-size/497771/13 "2009-05-27T15:22:49Z")
> [@Always Brings Pie](#): > > …How about any change in width? I’ve noticed this, and there wasn’t even any drastic weight loss. Maybe 15 vanity lbs? My shoe size never changed, but some of the cutesy skinny shoes were a no-go for a few months. Apparently my weight goes straight to my feet. ---
**Author:** ![Claire\_Beauchamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ec9cab/32.png) [@Claire\_Beauchamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claire_Beauchamp)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-and-shoe-size/497771/14 "2009-05-27T17:12:20Z")
One thing to remember about shoes is that, for the most part, they stretch as you wear them. When I lost weight (a lot) my official shoe size didn’t change, but a lot of the shoes I had became to loose. Occasionally when buying new I might need 1/2 size smaller than usual, but that was isolated. Now I’ve regained some weight and some of those shoes I bought and wore when I was at my lowest weight are now too tight. ---
**Author:** ![Yorikke](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yorikke/32/4335_2.png) [@Yorikke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorikke)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-and-shoe-size/497771/15 "2009-05-27T17:34:39Z")
I dunno. In the last 15 years, I’ve been way up and down, from 200 to maybe 400, and down, and up. I’ve been size 13 mens shoe the whole time. Joe ---
**Author:** ![liirogue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dbc845/32.png) [@liirogue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/liirogue)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-and-shoe-size/497771/16 "2009-05-28T01:38:25Z")
I lost about 40 pounds last year - before gaining my weight, I was a solid size 5 1/2 shoe. At my heaviest, I could wear size 6 dress shoes so long as I put a little cushion in the back to take up some room. Now, I can’t wear the size 6s anymore, they are just too big. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-and-shoe-size/497771/17 "2009-05-28T14:26:29Z")
I’ve definitely noticed differences in my shoe size when gaining or losing weight. Besides the weight itself changing, I would assume that my feet might swell when bearing more weight, and also when I am eating more healthfully I use a lot less salt and drink more water, which could reduce water weight stored in my feet (and hands). ---
**Author:** ![svrider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb8c5e/32.png) [@svrider](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/svrider)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-and-shoe-size/497771/18 "2009-05-28T17:55:36Z")
Lots 27 kg in 6 months. I havn’t noticed a difference and as I took up running rather seriously, I’ve tried and bought lots of shoes in the meantime. ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-and-shoe-size/497771/19 "2009-05-29T02:20:38Z")
I went on a psych medicine a couple years ago that had a side effect of weight gain and put on an extra 60 or so pounds and definitely went up a shoe size (from a 7.5 to a 8 - 8.5 depending on the shoe.) ---
**Author:** ![velvetjones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/5f9b8f/32.png) [@velvetjones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velvetjones)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-and-shoe-size/497771/20 "2009-05-29T17:01:09Z")
That happened to me the first time I lost a significant amount of weight (40 lbs). I dropped 1/2 shoe size. WAG but it may depend on how you carry your weight. I’m a typical pear shaped woman lots of weight in the lower half of my body so it kinda makes sense (to me) that my feet might get smaller. Where as people who are more apple shaped might not notice a difference because there’s less fat stores in the lower half of their body. Just a guess though. Congratulations on your loss! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weight-loss-and-shoe-size/497771.md?page=2)