Exclusive: BIS set to launch Indian-size shoe standards in June

In a country of around 1.4 billion people, which has more than 17 per cent of the world's population, buyers who go to purchase a shoe in shops often get the US, UK, or Euro size of the shoe. A question that struck the minds of the majority of people is why they have to wear the shoes according to foreign sizes and not as per Indian sizes.

Their problem of not having Indian-size shoes will soon be resolved as the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is in the final stages of setting the standards for Indian-size shoes.

The shoe standards can be set by June, and the new shoes will be available in the market the same month.

Initially, the industry will get a voluntary standard size, but in the later stages, people will get shoe sizes according to their foot size.    
 
Zee Biz has learnt that the Central Leather Research Institute (CLRE), Chennai, conducted a survey for standard Indian sizes on people of different age groups.

After analysing that data, BIS is working to prepare Indian standard sizes, which are set to be released next month.

Damages of wrong size footwear

Often, you must have heard people in shoe shops complaining that the UK size is tight in the front or that a US size is not fitting properly and is stinging in the heel.

Such problems become grave in the long term.

Improper sizes affect knees, cause pain in legs or spine-related problems. Tight shoes can also lead to bunions and other foot deformities such as cross-overs and ingrown toenails.

Older people lose their balance and fall because of ill-fitting shoes. They also have a high chance of slip disc and bone cracks. 

Tight and ill-fitting shoes can also cause back pain, headaches, ankle injuries, and plantar fasciitis. Standard Indian-size shoes are most likely to help people get rid of such problems. 

CLRE's survey about shoe sizes

CLRE conducted the survey regarding shoe size between October 2021 and March 2022.

For this, 3D shapes of the feet of one lakh people in the age group from 4 to 55 years were collected.

In the survey, the age groups of (4-11 children), (12-18 adults or youth) and (19-55 adult men and women) were determined.

The data is forming the basis for setting the Indian standard for shoes. After analysing this data, the size has been decided according to the Indian feet. 

With the Indian-size shoes set to be launched next month, we hope shoe buyers in the country will get sizes as per their feet.