I recently came across this 3D printable foot measuring device similar to a Brannock device. Seeing as I’m in to all things 3D printing and footwear related, I figured I had to print one myself and try it out. In this 3DShoemaker post, I’ll give my thoughts on it.
Having a device like this handy will make it easier to order shoes online. Of course you could always just go to a shoe store and check your shoe size once on an actual Brannock device and be done with it. But there are cases where it could be useful, like if you have children with growing feet or have a small shoemaking business. This device could also help those ordering 3D printable shoes and shoe lasts models on 3DShoemaker.com. But I think that using the 3D printable shoe last outlines I introduced recently is preferable given that accounts for the shape of the foot, not just the length and width. And of course there are the 3D printable mockup fitting models too.
One aspect of the Brannock device that I have always appreciated is the ability to check what the shoe size should be based on the arch length of the foot. For myself, I have a long first toe, and so a relatively short arch length. So while a Brannock device would show I need a size 13 shoe size, it’s clear that my arch length is better suited to a size 12. This discrepancy can be addressed with shoe fit customization, which is something I’ll get into in an upcoming post.
There are also some flawed aspects to Brannock devices, like the fixed distance from the central axis to the side of the first ball joint and the fixed heel cup radius. And of course it is also just a two dimensional measuring instrument. But despite all this, it has stood the test of time and is still fairly ubiquitous in shoe stores.
This 3D printable shoe sizing device is just one more example of the many surprising ways desktop 3D printers can be of use in the world of shoes.
