If you plan to purchase a pair of shoes you may notice some letters next to the size you choose. Today, buying shoes requires more than just selecting your size. There are now choices when it comes to the width of shoes. One of those choices is C/D. What does C/D mean shoes? Check out some facts about the meaning of the symbol C/D in connection with shoe sizes.
What Does C/D Mean Shoes?
In the world of shoes, C/D means a pair of shoes has a width categorized as wide. Some brands of shoes have a narrow width while others have shoes with a medium or average width.
How Can I Determine the Width of a Pair of Shoes?
The width of shoes can usually be found on the shoebox they are sold in. Check one end of the box for the size of the shoes and the width next to that number. If the shoes are not in a box, the width is usually on the shoe itself. On sneakers, the size and width are printed on the underside of the tongue of the shoes. If the shoes are sandals, loafers or high heels, the size and width are likely to be stamped on one side of the interior of the shoe. If there is seemingly no width printed anywhere on a shoe, try putting it into a shoe fitting device. This is something found in most shoe stores. After adjusting the lever to the dimensions of the shoe, the device will reveal both its size and width.
Why Does the Width of a Pair of Shoes Matter?
If you simply choose a pair of shoes based on size, you aren’t doing everything you can to find shoes with the best fit. A pair of shoes in your size with a medium width are likely to fit you, but they will probably feel tight. When shoes are too tight not only are they uncomfortable, they’re probably going to wear out more quickly than shoes with a better fit. A person who choose C/D shoes when they want a wide fit is going to feel more comfortable on long and short walks. Plus, the shoes will have some flexibility so they’ll adjust to fit a bigger foot.
Do All Shoe Brands Have the Same Fit in Regard to Width?
Though shoes with a wide width are labeled as C/D, the actual fit can differ from brand to brand. For instance, a shoe that’s a size 10 C/D may be different in shoes made by two different manufacturers. In fact, someone could go to the shoe store to try on two different brands of shoes in the exact same size and be very surprised at how one pair feels a lot more comfortable than the other. The best bet is to try on a specific pair of shoes in your size and width to determine their level of comfort.
What Affects the Proper Fit of a Shoe?
The material used to make a shoe definitely affects how comfortable it will be. For instance, leather has less flexibility than canvas. So, a pair of high heels made of black leather is likely going to be less comfortable than a pair of canvas sneakers. The canvas moves with a person’s foot whereas leather is not as pliable. So, though leather high heels may be C/D in width, they may not be as comfortable as another pair of shoes made in different material.
Considering all of these factors can help you find shoes that are attractive as well as comfortable.