With every pair of quality sneakers comes a precise size and fit. That’s why choosing the correct size for your foot in an espadrille or sneaker is imperative when looking for the perfect pair. It is highly important that you become familiar with sizes before you shop, as—most of the time—sizes can vary when shopping online and going in blind is often dangerous. We’ve got your back, however, with a small guide on how to choose sizes and the different types of sizes for each footwear.

Believe it or not, there are many different types of them, ranging from closed-toe, open-toe, and sneakers. Each type, however, fits differently depending on the size and shape of your foot. Thankfully, there is a general rule of thumb on choosing sizes for specific types such as the leather and the suede ones.

For leather sneakers, size up; it is imperative to understand that all of them—open toe and closed toe—are quite narrow. If you are someone who has wider feet than the average, it’s always the best call to size up to avoid any unnecessary pain. Suede sneakers fit similarly to leather ones, in that you should always go half a size up. Canvas ones are often similar, but there can be some slight variations. They are one of the tightest types and always run a half size smaller so it is crucial to go with a larger size when buying online. Some that are a mix—for example a leather body and canvas toe-cap—run a full size smaller. The moral of the story: these sneakers are tight, so buying half to one full size up is always a smart idea.

They should never slip at the heel. Like any other footwear, if they slip at the heel, they are too big and it is often dangerous to walk in them. They should fit with a precise and snug feel, with no looseness to be found except in the toe-box. You should never size up to feel loose. They must feel snug in your heel but not too tight to cramp your toes. There are few specific types such as the Chanel ones which will stretch out after wearing, making buying the actual or smaller size a better decision.

Breaking in them can be one of the hardest parts. When you get your first pair, you may find that they are difficult to get on; no-lace closed-toe ones are often tight and narrow, making the first time wear a tight squeeze. There is, however, a correct way of putting them on for the first time that may reduce all the hassle: first, slide your foot into them and over the heel area. Try to wiggle your foot as far back as you can and then pull the heel area out from the back of your heel. This way, your foot isn’t forced into the footbed and you aren’t crushing the fabric by yanking the heel area.

You may never have even heard of one, but shoe stretchers are a thing. And they are important to use regularly on them if you aren’t wearing them often. They work by stretching and reshaping the shoe, relieving pressure sites and target tight or painful areas that could cause blisters. If you are an average collector, and are interested in buying a lot of them but can’t wear them all weekly, it would be smart to invest in a wooden shoe stretcher that will keep your sneakers long and lasting. They sell for as little as $20 on Amazon.

All in all, although they can vary in size, sneakers are narrow and, unless you are going for Chanel or something of similar design, it is imperative that you often buy a half size up. Although footwear that is too loose is never good, a pair that is tight and causes blisters is even worse. The sizing and fit are imperative for a great experience.

This category can be one of the most diverse in the industry. There are tons of different designs and sub-categories, and the very term can range from high-heels to sneakers. There are, however, a few basic types that you should familiarize yourself with before buying.

Espadrille flats are the most common and comfortable among types. These flat-heel ones are popular and are often easy to wear and won’t cause any pain experienced from high-heels or wedges. Sneakers, casual, navy, and street shoes all fall into this category of flats. Flats are most often made of cotton or linen—natural elements that are conserving and environmentally friendly. Fashion-wise, flats go fantastic with dresses of any kind, and you can fit them with skinny jeans, shorts, or skirts.

Wedge ones are the second type. These ones have only recently been adopted into the market and have grown a big fan base, as they include all the needs of typical ones while also adding the sophistication and luxury of a high-heel. Wedges look elegant and are often designed with an open-toe shape. Wedge ones can be a mix of casual and professional tone, so they are great for your everyday use but can also be worn to anything formal or work-related.

In addition to flats and wedges, they also come in open-toe and closed-toe platforms. Open ones give off a fun and fresh image, but they are often less comfortable with a less supported arch and footbed, while also fitting less snug. Closed ones are more professional-looking. They are polished and often luxurious if paired with a high-heel style. If you’re looking for more of a strong and sound impression rather than a casual, fresh one, closed-toed ones are the best to portray your personality. If you have any type of foot pain problems such as Plantar Fasciitis or toe fungus, it is always better to wear closed-toe ones with a supporting footbed.

There are also obscure terms that you may not yet be familiar with. For example, what in the world is jute? Jute is a term used a lot when talking about this type of footwear. The Jute, in actuality, is a plant from the mallow family cultivated in tropical regions. It is also the name of the fiber extracted from the plant used to make a natural, elegant textile. The soles of these sneakers are often made using jute.

Although new fabric types are chosen each year given the current trend, jute has always been an iconic fabric used in them. The use of natural fabrics can make them extremely lightweight and breathable. This makes them ideal in warm weather and footwear is now present all across the world. When buying, you should always look for natural and quality material such as Jute and linen for the fabric and outsole.

Considering all the different types, choosing one that fits your lifestyle is the most essential part. Wedges and closed-toe ones are for more formal occasions while open-toed flats can be worn in casual settings or at home. The fabric should generally be a quality material such as jute and leather. It is best to avoid cheap, short-lasting materials such as plastic.

Similar to the design of many other types of footwear, they can also be taken apart in the following parts: outsole, midsole, insole, tongue, and ankle. Each of these portions can have padding that can cushion your foot and highly increase the level of comfort. Especially in these ones—where tightness and narrow width are common—the padding can be imperative to avoid blisters and other injuries.

The padding on the tongue and ankle is important to keep your foot from abrasively rubbing the sneaker. Especially in high-heels or wedges, padding can be the difference between a great experience and painful bruises.

The midsole is the portion of the shoe where padding and design are essential. The midsole’s functionality makes each pair feel different. Some can be more flexible while others can be softer. Each midsole, however, must be able to control excessive amounts of movement. EVA padding is a type of foam that is lightweight and ideal for sneakers or flats. There are also others, however, that can use gel, foam, or other materials for padding, making the midsole more durable but less comfortable.

But ones with too much padding are also bad. Excessive padding can lead to low amounts of breathability in the shoe, potentially causing toe-fungus or blisters. A good balance of cushion and breathability is the key to finding a comfortable espadrille. For those with a removable footbed, it is ideal to replace the sole every 3-6 months to avoid flattening the EVA or another type of soles.

There are also many benefits in using orthopedic cushions if you have injuries such as Plantar Fasciitis. These types of cushions can absorb shock and prevent injuries relating to the heel or ankle. Accommodative orthotics are prescription footwear that already has inserts to provide cushion and comfort. Functional orthotics are over-the-counter insoles that have padding to control abnormal motion in the foot, preventing foot pain and injuries. Functional orthotics can be bought in a plethora of online stores by searching for models that are designed for heel or ankle injuries.

While it’s crucial to choose the best pair for you, it is also important to know how to maintain them. Depending on the material, there are different ways of ensuring that they are long-lasting.

For leather models, make sure they are out of the sunlight. Leather footwear—like leather bags or clothes—can dry and get tan under the sunlight, causing the fabric to change color and become fragile. Black leather can tan to dark brown over long periods of time, causing them to lose their sleek style. If you aren’t wearing your pair, make sure to store them and gently stuff them with tissues to hold their shape. They have a tendency to reshape when not worn in a long time, causing the need for shoe stretchers. To prevent this, use tissues or a cedar shoe tree, which is a device that retains a shoe shape, moisture, and odor. It is also important to polish your leather pair for them to keep their shine.

For canvas ones, you can use a protective spray that keeps them from picking up dirt or moisture. Common causation of bad shoe care is the edges of the espadrille fraying. This can be prevented by using an anti-fray product.

Canvas, leather, and jute: these are the most popular materials used and cleaning them should be common knowledge among espadrille buyers. One imperative rule is to avoid soaking them when cleaning. Large amounts of water can ruin the shoe entirely because the moisture penetrates the sole and these fabrics take quite a while to fully dry. It is also crucial that you do not throw them in the washer, which is another way to ruin them.

To begin cleaning your footwear: use either a cloth or a specialty brush to remove any dirt or debris from the exterior.

Second: use a cleaner to help remove any stuck on dirt or staining from them.

Third: leave them out to dry before you wear them again. If they aren’t completely dry, it can end up deforming in shape and size. White ones made of canvas uppers can be left out outside to dry, but other types should be kept in the shade to prevent color change.

For jute soles, it is of great importance that you don’t let jute soles get wet since they are sensitive and take several days to dry completely. Removing them before cleaning and then using a protective spray is the best way to care for jute insoles.

Lastly, it is important to note just how important it is not only to buy the best ones for you but to maintain them in the best way possible. If you follow our steps in cleaning and maintaining, yours will certainly last to their maximum span.

What are you going to use your sneakers for? If you think about being up all day for hours at a time, then maybe a sneaker with arch support and comfortable insoles is what you should be looking for. The same thing goes if you want to wear them mainly to the gym, then ankle support should be your priority. There's no question that style should be important, but your feet carry you all day long so don't forget to take care of them!

The colors and styles vary from one company to the other and one model to another. There are also several types of sneakers, such as high-tops that cover the ankles (the famous Converse), sneaker boots that rise up to the calf, low-tops (or oxfords), mid-cut sneakers, slip-on, low-top CVO (Circular Vamp Oxford) and high-top CVO.

At the end of the day, the first thing you have to think about is what you're planning to do with your sneakers. By knowing what you're going to use them for, you can find the features and styles that best pertain to you.