If you’re shopping at shoe stores, follow these steps so you can treat your feet to a pair that will still feel supercomfortable after a full day of work or play:

1

Shop at the end of the day. Your feet swell as the day goes on, so it’s best to go shoe shopping when they’re at their biggest.

2

Wear your most comfortable shoes when shopping. Use this pair for comparison. Of course new shoes won’t be as cozy as old broken-in ones, but they’ll help remind you to avoid the killers.

3

Always try on both shoes. No two feet are exactly the same size. So just because one shoe feels good, that doesn’t mean the other will.

4

Shop with the right socks. Don’t forget to bring along the type of hoisery that you’ll be wearing with the shoes, whether it’s pantyhose, trouser socks, or gym socks.

5

Experiment with sizes. It’s easier to tell whether something fits if you compare it with the next size up and the next size down.

6

Take a walk. But don’t just stroll over to the mirror and back. Really take your time to pad around the store on different surfaces, including uncarpeted areas.

7

Put shoes to the test. Walking around is just one way to make sure shoes fit. You should also wiggle your toes, stand on tiptoe, and try standing up and sitting back down a few times so you’ll get an idea what the shoes will feel like during a typical day.

8

Take the shoes home and wear them around the house for a half hour. If they start to hurt, imagine what they’ll feel like after a full workday. Just be careful not to scuff up the soles so you won’t have any trouble returning them.

9

When you find a pair you like, buy another pair in the same color. Yes, we’re advising you to buy more shoes! Having two or even three pairs of the same shoes you love saves you money in the long run because you can rotate them every day.

This gives the shoes a chance to dry between wearings--perspiration breaks down leather and can ruin shoes if you wear them every day--so shoes last a lot longer. Also, you won’t waste money on shoes you’ll never wear. Two-thirds of the women we surveyed recently said that they had at least one pair in their closet that they’ve worn only once.

Learn more about buying the right shoes in the October/November issue of ShopSmart, available now! Can't find ShopSmart in your local bookstore? Order it online or call our toll-free number to get your copy now.

Click any of the links below for a selection of articles from the October/November 2007 issue of ShopSmart;) Editor's Letter Greetings from ShopSmart Editor-in-Chief Lisa Lee Freeman 3 online shopping trends you'll love New ways to save time and find the absolute greatest deals In the bag Paper or plastic? Choose neither! Tote your own cloth bag. Design a laundry room that works Make a tiresome chore unboring with our decorating tricks Facial cleanser shopping tips Pick the right cleanser for your skin type Candy calorie countdown How much damage are you really doing with these Halloween treats? Can't find ShopSmart in your local bookstore? Order it online or call our toll-free number to get your copy now.