Want to make sure your next pair of shoes actually fits? We can help you with that! At Cobbler's Corner, we've never met a foot we couldn't fit!

Kathy Baker	Kathy Brian	Jeni Balint	Kathy Reesh
Kim Binegar	Pat Wilkins	Terry Thompson	What do all of these people have in common? They are all professional shoe fitting specialists and they are all ready to put their skills to work for you!

The Art of Shoe Fitting.

To most of us, the instrument pictured above is familiar. It's called a Brannock device, and, as many people know, it's used to measure shoe size. What most people don't know is shoe size is just the beginning. Many stores will set out one or two of these for their customers to use. Other stores may have sales people who are trained to read the shoe size from a Brannock device.

 Very few stores, though, will take the time to train professional shoe fitters who not only can read a Brannock device, but also know how to use one (Yes, there is only one right way to use it). Professionals who can interpret the readings, compare them to the type and shape of a client's foot, and arrive at a properly fitted shoe for each client. Professionals who not only know the importance of measuring both feet accurately, but also know how to identify common foot conditions which can affect, or be affected by, the fit of your shoes.

 Cobbler's Corner is one of those few stores. At Cobbler's Corner, every member of the Cobbler's Corner family is trained to be a professional shoe fitter, learning how to properly fit shoes and to make sure those shoes will meet our clients' needs, before we will turn them loose on our sales floor. These professionals know a lot more than whether we stock a particular style in your size. The kind of training they receive doesn't happen overnight, and not just anyone can learn the skills needed to become a professional shoe fitter, but when our shoe fitters are ready to serve our clients, you will find no one better at fitting you with the proper footwear. We don't just sell shoes, we serve our clients' needs. That includes making sure that every customer leaving Cobbler's Corner in a new pair of shoes is wearing properly fitted footwear that looks, works and feels right. After all, isn't that what you should expect from your new shoes?

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CHART. Shoe size comparison chart for most common international systems.

Q. Why doesn't Cobbler's Corner sell shoes over the internet?

Q. How can I find shoes that fit?

Q. I have diabetes. How can I make sure the shoes I buy will fit properly?

CHART. Red Wing shoes extreme sizes by style number.

Footwear Size Comparison Chart for Most Common International Systems.
Please note that there is no real standard for converting shoes.
Your best option is to have your foot measured professionally
and get the Men's and Women's sizes directly from the measurement device.

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F3.
Q. Why doesn't Cobbler's Corner sell shoes over the Internet?

A. Feet, like people, come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes and no two feet are exactly alike. In fact, for most people, one foot is larger than the other, so it may be said that there are twice as many different feet as there are different people in the world! That is why there are so many different shapes, sizes and styles of footwear available. That is also why we offer so many different footwear styles from nearly 20 different brands and in sizes ranging from 4 to 20 and widths ranging from 4A(AAAA) to 9E(EEEEEEEEE)!

 The fit of a person's shoe is as individual as the sound of their voice. Most people have a pretty good idea what their shoe size is, and probably even their width, but with so many different feet and so many shapes, styles and sizes of footwear to choose from, knowing the size of the shoe you are wearing doesn't take into account such factors as the shape of the foot vs. the shape of the shoe or the effect that different shoe types, manufacturing techniques or materials may have on the shape and fit of the shoe. A person may wear a size 7 in one style, but in a different style, they may need a 7½ or an 8. Widths vary too. A narrow in one shoe may be a wide in another. Even within the same shoe company, footwear styles can differ greatly from one another. Just one of our shoe suppliers offers over 160 different footwear styles! Given the complexity, buying shoes over the internet becomes a lot like buying mail order dentures. It's just not a good idea.

 There are also various foot conditions that can affect shoe fit. Bunions, Corns and Hammer Toes, just to name a few, can have a major impact on how your shoes will fit and feel. The fact is, there are so many foot conditions that can affect how your shoes fit and function that listing them all is beyond the scope of this article.

 Another factor to consider is that our feet change with time just as the rest of our bodies do. Our feet tend to grow longer and wider as we age, so it's always a good idea to have both feet measured every time you buy shoes. The shoe that fit ten years ago will likely be too small today. A shoe style which feels comfortable when we're young may become cramped or even painful to wear as we get older and our feet change shape, making it necessary to try different shapes and styles of footwear. Normal wear and tear take their toll, making it necessary to make adjustments in our footwear to compensate for the effects of a lifetime of walking on our feet.

 In short, without having both feet measured and trying the shoes on and walking around in them, it is impossible to ensure a proper shoe fit. As a result, the chances of properly matching a pair of shoes to your feet through the internet are pretty slim.

 There are shoe stores who will try to tell you this isn't true. They are motivated by a desire to sell you a pair of shoes without having to pay anyone to actually try the shoes on your feet. They will try to sell the convenience of buying shoes without ever leaving your home. But, really, how convenient is it to try to mail a pair of shoes back to an Internet vendor because they didn't fit, or worse, to wear ill fitting shoes because of the hassle of returning them! And imagine how long it could take to finally get the right pair of shoes! Wouldn't it be better to know the pair of shoes you just bought fit you right, rather than hoping they will when they arrive?

 The fact is that many people today are walking around in poorly fitted shoes. We have found that about 75% of new clients coming in to our store for the first time are wearing the wrong size or wrong shaped shoes. Add to that the fact that many common foot problems, such as bunions and heel pain are frequently caused by improperly fitted footwear and can be corrected or completely avoided by wearing properly fitted, appropriate footwear, it is easy to see why we insist on ensuring a proper fit in a suitable shoe. We believe our clients deserve no less.

 At Cobbler's Corner, we pride ourselves on the fact that we have never met a foot we couldn't fit, and we make good on that claim every single day. Our 4 professional shoe fitting technicians are skilled at providing each client with a properly fitted pair of shoes and we have 3 Certified pedorthists on staff who are skilled at spotting and correcting foot problems before they become serious issues.
 To us, fitting a pair of shoes is about more than just shoe size, it's about providing footwear that will properly support and protect the health of your feet, while providing comfort and a style you can enjoy.

We give each client the sort of personal attention they deserve, and that is something you will never get over the Internet. It's not the easiest or the most profitable way of doing business, but we believe it is the best way of doing business.
It's our way of doing business.
The same way we have been caring for our clients' foot care needs for over 30 years.

One pair of feet at a time.

Why not stop in and find out for yourself! Your feet will be glad you did!

For the location of our store and other contact information,
follow this link to our contact page.

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What is your shoe IQ...

Healthy Feet Start With The Shoes.
At Cobbler's Corner, we have found that 75% of new customers entering our facility are wearing the wrong size shoes or the wrong shaped shoes.

F1.

Q. How can I find shoes that fit?

A. Here are 10 Tips to Ensure a Proper Fit.

1) Shoe sizes are not all the same, and vary by brands.
2) Since your feet change over time, always have both feet measured when buying shoes.
3) Choose shoes that match the shape of your foot.
4) Try on Various Types and Styles for the Most Comfortable Fit.
5) Shoes should be wider than your foot and longer than your longest toe.
6) Be sure the arch of your foot feels comfortable and supported in the shoe.
7) Check to make sure your heel isn't slipping out of the shoe.
8) If you wear inserts or orthotics, they can affect the way the shoe fits. Be sure to bring them along when buying shoes.
9) Be sensible and match the type of shoes to your activities.
10) Don't rush when choosing shoes. Walk around in them to make sure you are satisfied with a great fit.

AND THE MOST IMPORTANT TIP OF ALL! ALWAYS have your shoes fitted by a professional shoe fitter! Catalogs and On Line Ordering can not assure a proper fit!

Cobbler's Corner has 3 Certified Pedorthists and 4 Professional Shoe Fitters on staff. Stop in or call today. Click here for Location and Hours.

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A. Here are 10 tips for buying shoes which are properly fitted for a diabetic.

1) HAVE BOTH FEET MEASURED EVERY TIME YOU PURCHASE A PAIR OF SHOES.
Over the course of your lifetime, your feet will change in both size and shape. For many people, one foot is slightly longer and/or wider than the other, so fit the largest foot first. Go to a shoe store that measures both feet and wear the type of socks you will wear with the shoes.

2) SELECT SHOES THAT MATCH THE SHAPE OF YOUR FEET.
The shoe should follow the natural outline of your foot. Make sure the shape of the shoe matches the shape of your foot.

3) SHOES SHOULD BE AS WIDE AS YOUR FEET AND LONGER.
When shoes contact the ground during walking or running, feet elongate. Allow adequate space (3/8" to 3/4") at the end of the shoe for your longest toe. Judge shoes by how they fit on your feet. Don't select shoes that feel too tight, too loose, or irritates any part of your foot. If a shoe feels too snug or too loose at the try- on stage, it is NOT a good fit, and may cause foot pain and problems later on.

4) MAKE SURE THE WIDEST PART OF YOUR FOOT (the "ball") FITS COMFORTABLY INTO THE WIDEST PART OF THE SHOE.
This match permits shoes to bend where your feet flex, giving you a more functional and more comfortable fit.

5) THE TOE BOX (the covering around the toe area) SHOULD BE ROUND, HIGH AND SHAPED LIKE YOUR FOOT.
You should be able to freely move your toes inside the shoe; if you CANNOT wiggle your toes inside your shoes this is NOT a good fit. Toe room is essential for a healthy foot, especially for the diabetic.

6) HEELS SHOULD FIT COMFORTABLY IN THE SHOES.
Don't buy shoes that are too small just to avoid heel slippage.
If your foot has excessive slippage in the heel of your shoe, try a different shoe or ask your shoe fitter to make some minor adjustments. Selecting shoes that have a combination last (shoes that are made wide at the "ball" and narrow at the "heel") can eliminate this problem.

7) INSERTS OR ORTHOTICS AFFECT THE WAY A SHOE FITS.
Shoe inserts or foot orthotics will take up shoe space intended for your foot. If you require inserts or orthotics, you will need a roomier shoe; otherwise, the inserts CANNOT function properly arid your shoes WILL NOT fit right. Purchase shoes that are designed to accommodate an insert or orthotic. There are many shoe styles from major manufacturers available that are designed with extra depth and/or removable insoles for this purpose

8) CHOOSE SHOES APPROPRIATE TO THE ACTIVITY AND THE AMOUNT OF TIME YOU WILL SPEND PERFORMING THE ACTIVITY.
Feet change shape and size during the day and under different conditions: after exercise, in warm weather, with weight gain, or from sitting or standing. When shoe shopping, remember that your feet are generally larger after an activity than preceding it, so buy accordingly, perhaps even timing shoe shopping immediately after the activity.

9) WALK IN THE SHOES TO MAKE SURE THEY FEEL COMFORTABLE.
Walk around the store. Shoes affect the health of our feet and also our emotional well being. If our feet hurt, we are NOT happy.

10) SHOP A STORE THAT OFFERS FULL SERVICE.
A store that measures both feet (length, width, depth, and shape of foot) and that evaluates worn shoes, checking for wear patterns, correct sizing and appropriateness of the shoe style is your best choice for finding a shoe that suits you. Always remember, a store which leaves you on your own to select and measure shoes does not care about your feet. Select a store that has a staff trained in proper shoe fitting, measuring, and most important, in recognizing foot problems and their causes. Avoid stores that try to make a few sizes and styles work for every foot. Not only is this impossible, it can prove dangerous to a diabetic or to others with foot problems.

OUR MANY FOOTWEAR STYLES COME IN SIZES RANGING FROM 4 TO 20
AND IN WIDTHS RANGING FROM 4A (AAAA) TO 9E (EEEEEEEEE)!

At Cobbler's Corner, A Certified Pedorthist oversees all fitting, custom footwear, custom orthotics and shoe modifications. Your comfort and satisfaction are very important to us. A shoe's fit is as personal as the sound of a person's voice. Whether a foot condition is temporary or permanent, shoes and other footwear devices can be part of the treatment plan. For people with diabetes, arthritis, or other foot problems, the right footwear can mean the difference between being able to WATCH and being able to PARTICIPATE!

Make sure your footwear, instead of being part of the problem,
is part of the healthy solution!

Please stop by or call today so we can start you on the road to happier, healthier feet. Just follow this link to view our Location, Phone No. and Contact Information.

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