Different Size Shoes: Why Footwear Fit Matters in Ireland

When your left foot is a different size shoes, a common biological variation where one foot is larger than the other. Also known as foot asymmetry, it affects nearly half of all adults—and in Ireland, where damp floors and long walks are the norm, ignoring it can mean sore feet, blisters, and wasted money. Most people assume shoes come in matching pairs because that’s what stores sell. But your feet? They don’t care about store rules.

Here’s the truth: your left foot is often bigger than your right. Maybe by half a size. Maybe by a full size. In Ireland, where people spend hours walking on wet cobblestones, standing in queues, or commuting through rain, wearing shoes that don’t fit properly isn’t just uncomfortable—it’s a health risk. Think about it: if your right foot fits snug in a size 7, but your left foot needs a size 7.5, forcing both into the same pair means one foot is squished, the other slides around. That’s how you get bunions, plantar fasciitis, or just plain misery after a day out in Galway or Dublin.

And it’s not just about size. foot width, the measurement across the ball of the foot. Also known as foot girth, it varies wildly between people—and Irish footwear brands like Clarks and Herring & Sons have known this for decades. A size 7 in width D might fit fine, but the same size in width B could feel like a prison. That’s why Irish women buying boots for winter don’t just grab the first pair they see—they try them on, walk around, check toe room, and sometimes even buy two different sizes. You’ll see it in stores: women holding two pairs, comparing, asking for help. They’ve learned the hard way.

Then there’s arch height, the curve under the foot that supports body weight. Also known as foot profile, it changes how a shoe sits on your foot—especially important in Ireland’s unpredictable terrain. Flat feet need more support. High arches need cushioning. And if your shoes don’t match your foot’s shape, even the best brand won’t save you. That’s why Irish shoppers keep coming back to stores with trained staff, not just online sizes. They know a number on a box doesn’t tell the whole story.

And don’t get fooled by the myth that your feet stay the same size. They don’t. After pregnancy, weight gain, aging, or even just years of walking on Irish stone, your feet spread. What fit perfectly five years ago might now pinch. That’s why so many Irish women end up with a drawer full of half-worn shoes—they kept them because they liked the style, not because they still fit.

What you’ll find below isn’t a list of brands or sizes. It’s real talk from people who’ve lived it: why hoodies and wellies are staples, why trainers are called trainers, why slippers matter more than sneakers, and how Irish weather shapes every choice you make about what’s on your feet. These aren’t fashion tips. They’re survival guides. And if you’ve ever bought a pair of shoes and thought, ‘Why does this hurt?’, you’re not alone. The answers are here.