Metrology is the science of measurement. It develops units and references that allow accurate comparison of instrument observations. Dependable measurement systems rely on standards and fixed points of reference. However, every shoe fitter knows this is not the case for footwear measurement. One of the more intriguing aspects of pedorthics is reconciling the science of shoe sizing with the art of proper fit.
Part of the problem is the variety in anatomy and function of the human foot. It is estimated over half of the population have different sized feet either in length or width. Often these differences are subtle and can be ignored, but sometimes they affect shoe fit and comfort. For example, a person with bunions may have one foot larger than the other, or a low-arched foot might be unilateral. Secondly, there are many different sizing standards used throughout the world (Figure 1). Attempts to develop a universal metric such as the International Organization for Standardization’s Mondopoint have not been widely adopted by manufacturers. Further compounding the issue, shoes are made all over the world for disparate markets. Many people easily own a dozen or more pairs made in China, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Brazil, and other countries.
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