How To Find The Best Fitting Barker Shoes?

Fine fitting is paramount when it comes to looking to purchase your next pair of shoes whether it be a Oxford, Derby, Monk Strap or Brogue boot. To understand the importance of fitting it is necessary to appreciate the anatomy of the foot as you’re looking for a shoe shape to match the shape of your particular foot which allows length and width for the toes and for the natural elongation of the foot when walking. 

 A shoe must allow sufficient length in the front of the toes to ensure that the toes have freedom to move and allow them to perform their function of controlling the movements of the foot. Equally, the shoe must be wide enough across the part where the foot hinges and the area covering the toes to avoid cramping the toe joint an toes, but not so wide that the vamp creases too deeply when walking. The balance of this is a snug fit where the foot is held back, gripped and supported to allow freedom for the toes while the back part of shoe fits snugly to the heel in order to brace the foot.

The key areas to assess when trying on a pair of Barker shoes are its length, heel, top-lines, facings, arch, vamp and heel slip. Depending on where the shoe isn’t fitting will dictate the recommended size and fitting to consider instead. For example if the fitting is correct in length but too wide the solution would be the same length but down one width. Barker offers several widths in the current collection which include E, F, FX, G and H fitting.

A key component in the Barker Goodyear-welted shoe making process is the last, an anatomical foot form that is used throughout the design and construction of a Barker shoe. In the design room the art of masking a last and drawing directly onto the tape is used to ensure the proportions are perfect for each and every design. This traditional technique is rarely used in modern day shoe design.

In construction, a Barker shoe it remains on its chosen last throughout the manufacturing process to give shape but equally the shoes fitting qualities derive from the last. The Barker Spring / Summer 2020 Collection features over 30 last shapes and so if you have previously owned a pair of comfortable Barker shoes the last they were made on offers a guide to choosing other pairs with similar shape. 

Discover more by exploring the Barker Last Guide.