Can other people actually just buy shoes online?

[Konstantine8364]

When I go shopping for any shoes other than maybe flat, ankle boots I would have to try on maybe 5 or 6 pairs to get one that fit, then I might not like them on. So I probably try on 10+ pairs to buy one pair. So I always buy shoes in person as it would be mad to order 10 pairs. Do I have weird deformed feet or is this normal?! My friend today said she just orders shoes online, maybe 2 or 3 pairs and will pretty much always buy one or two from that.

YABU - most shoes in my size will fit
YANBU - I have to try on quite a lot of shoes to find comfortable ones

I can buy shoes online if they’re my usual style and from a company I know the sizing is consistent. For anything else, no.

My shoes tend to be DMs, trainers, Birkies etc (and I wear orthotics) so there's room for a bit of variation in size.

Probably different when I wore shoes that had to stay on my feet without help eg court shoes.

Yes, don't think I have gone into a store to try on/buy shoes since I was a kid.

I wear mostly trainers and boots though. If I needed something more professional or 'dressy' then I would likely struggle more. I also have a pretty good idea now of what brands will work and what to stay away from because their sizings are weird.

I'm the same! I have wide feet and my ankles always seem to rub in boots so I'd also end up ordering loads. Wide fit almost always means ordering online for me - i also won't buy shoes with paper thin insides that I can feel gravel through, and I dont have loads of spare cash and don't want to go back to old consumerist habits so I really try hard to only spend money when it ticks all the boxes which seems so rare! I think a lot of the problem is that I walk everywhere, I have a suspicion that lots of shoes are only made for car park > destination distances comfort and durability wise... I know it's damaging to the planet tomorrow ordering loads and send them back but its also damaging to the planet for me to buy shoes that fall apart after a year, or 3 pairs because none are quite right...

I cant buy shoes or boots online apart from army/work style boots (Magnums etc) as I have extremely wide feet with a high instep. I recently bought some chunky boots listed as wide fitting online from a high street shop and couldnt even get my feet into them. I wear work/army boots for everyday. I had a terrible time as a child finding school shoes to fit.

Yeah, I occasionally order shoes online and they hardly ever fit. I'm really trying not to succumb this year, as it just creates more stress. Just need to make time for shoe shopping instead!

It's hit and miss

I can only buy my footwear on line as I have narrow feet. I have learnt over the years how each of these specialist brands fit to my feet and will buy accordingly. It’s very limiting but at least I know they will fit

Yup. I've only ever bought in person if they're a spontaneous buy or in the sale, but even then I hardly ever have to try them on. I'm between a 3.5 and size 4 so can get away with anything other than narrow fit.

I buy trainers on line from one Italian company. They fit my feet perfectly. But I wouldn't buy shoes from an unknown entity.

I tend to buy only a couple of brands that I know how they fit

Nope. Shoes and bras have to be tried on. Hopeless buying on line for me.

@Konstantine8364 yabu and yanbu. I have to try multiple pairs of shoes on too, but my size (42) is not stocked at most high street stores. I order them online, try them on, then send them back if they don't fit. Pre-internet I was often sign-posted to the men's department.

I know I am not unusual - many other women have feet my size and larger.

I have no choice....narrow size 43. Bought online for 20 years or more

I think you’re perhaps overthinking this - I can buy shoes online because I tend to buy the same brands over and over when my older pairs get too worn. If I’m buying like for like shoes, then I already know what I want. Same for buying make up online or any type of clothing.

Back when I used to own lots of shoes and they would be more dressy and less comfortable shoes, I’d always need to try them on. Shoes with heels or pointy toe boxes etc are generally uncomfortable anyway so you need to try a bunch before you find a pair that are tolerable.

Yes, but I stick to known favourite brands

no I need to try them on in the shop

For boots, trainers and adjustable sandals I just choose a style I like and they usually fit.

For strappy sandals I would probably buy in person. I have narrow-ish feet and send to find the front straps very loose.

I an buy shoes/dresses/ t shirts online.
But trousers/jeans are a no

Wide fit has gone from giving you the measurements to 'Do you feel lucky? Because it's a secret', so I rarely bother buying anything now and would never do it online as it's a very expensive gamble, what with so many places charging P&P for returns or threatening to suspend accounts if they decide you return too many things.

I have never bought shoes on line. It almost blows my mind people would risk it. Its easier to walk to shop and try on several styles.
I don't buy clothes on line either. Don't have the patience for faffing around. I do pretty much live in the town centre though.

i struggle because i am a 4 1/2 so unless they do halve sizes i would have to order a 4 and a 5 and even then neither might fit properly. m and s 4 1/2 fit perfectly as do clarks so i’m happy to order those online.

online is my only option
im a 12 or 13(adult)

been that way for years(90s)

but 12 is to small,13 to big but i do have narrow feet

im rural Wales(nearest city miles away) so not a chance in my little town and definitely not in the supermarkets

in fact European seems to fit me better as they are in-between uk sizes

i only wear trainers anyway(and slippers)
haven't worn a female pair of shoes since i was about 10(i was the only female allowed to wear caterpillar boots in comp school)

last few years i get them off temu or ali
before that i had to resort to jacamo(simply be men version)

I don't think I've tried on shoes in about 20 years. But I only buy flat ones. I have one pair of converse type trainers, one pair of flat ankle boots, one pair of proper walking shoes and one pair of sandals in the summer. Plus a couple of ballet pumps for occasional use.

I don't buy online but I do just pick up what I need in a supermarket usually.

Wide feet so very little choice but to buy online. I hate shoe shopping though for this reason so usually just do it in one seasonal go and don’t change my shoes unless I have to.