Proper Fitting

is bucking another trend....self service. In 1988 20% of footwear purchases were made with no fitting services. In 1996 it is projected to be over 60%. Add that to the fact that of the approximately 200,000 shoe sales persons only 10 have any formal training. Carl's Shoes is a full service facility. Only Professional Shoe Fitters provide fitting services at . This requirement is supplemented by regular training in product knowledge, and a commitment to superior customer service.

Fitting Skills
All new customers have both feet measured using the Brannock Device. Feet are mesured bothseated and standing to determine foot elongation. Carl's Shoes maintains fitting records for all customers; recording styles, last, sizes, prescriptions and other pertinent information. Fifteen Test Points of Fit are used to determine if the last is apporopriate and size, width and style provide the best fit.

To truly accommodate the foot,
choosing the right last is the first step..

The shoe last is the mold over which the shoe pattern is assembled. How closely the shape of the last corresponds to the shape of the foot will determine the relative comfort of any footwear manufactured on that last.

Common sense should tell us that the shape of the shoe should resemble the shape of our feet. Fashion, on the other hand, has often dictated squeezing the foot into sleek silhouettes which has been the root of many common foot disorders for centuries.

Advanced Training

is a pedorthic store. The staff at Carl's Shoes is trained in Advanced Principles of Shoe Fitting and fitting the "problem" foot. All fitting, shoe modifications, custom footwear and orthotic fabrication is supervised by a Board Certified Pedorthist. The Certified Pedorthist is trained in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology and pathology as it relates to the lower limb. This training and certification assures the physician and the patient of the necessary expertise to fill prescriptions and advise the physician regarding appropriate pedorthic modalities.