How To Fit

The Stem fit is shaped to the human foot and will not fit like traditional shoes.  Stem Footwear is designed to fit relaxed and free.  The extra wide toebox allows all five toes to move freely and splay apart.  There should be a generous amount of room for the ball of your foot to spread naturally.  They can be worn with or without socks.  Follow the fit instructions, and read all the below before wearing:

How Sizes Run

  1. Mens sizes run different than Womens. Mens run True to Size. Womens run 1/2-Full size small. Men that are on the border between two sizes should order UP. Women always need to order UP. Continue reading.
  2. Go by our labeled US size not the EU size.
  3. Women need to order up. For example, Women that typically wear a US 8 will need the 9-9.5 (EU 40), women that wear 8.5 will also need the 9-9.5 (EU 40).
  4. If you are having trouble deciding between two sizes, we recommend you buy both and exchange the one that doesn't fit. It saves you about 8 days of delay
  5. Fits best for medium to wide feet (not for narrow feet).

How to Fit

  1. Tap your heel to the back.
  2. Your toes should fit close to the end of the shoe (less a than finger width), because it follows the natural shape of the foot.
  3. The extra width at the toebox is designed to be there.
  4. Don't worry they should not feel "snug" like your other shoes.
  5. Don't lace tight to try to achieve a "snug" fit.  This is natural fit.
Crammed toes to the right
  STEM fit <---> crammed toes

Other Tips

  1. Machine washable gentle.  Do not machine dry.  Air dries in front of a fan in less than 2 hours.
  2. Stem Footwear can be worn with or without socks.  We've found that when performing athletic activities Stem Footwear fits best without socks.
  3. If wearing socks, we recommend wearing Injinji™ five-toed socks. (Thinner lightweight styles are our personal favorite.)
  4. To improve healthy toe alignment we recommend wearing Stem Footwear™ with Correct Toes™ intermittently (see instructions for use.)
  5. Take off your shoes and go barefoot frequently.  Barefooting is the best training to learn how to walk more natural.  Remember transition slowly.

Disclaimer

When going barefoot you must exercise a certain level of awareness, as is the same when stepping in Stem footwear.  This degree of attentiveness and responsiveness contributes to the experience.  For most wearers, your stride will automatically adjust to a lighter, more natural stride.  Stem footwear is not recommended for strenuous athletic activity unless you have taken the necessary transitional steps to a barefoot style shoe.  Stem footwear can result in injury, however when used properly, can result in stronger, healthier, more injury-resistant feet and body.  Take it slow.