Shoe startup 3D scans your feet to make comfortable custom high heels

It has been a universal question for women: What will take to take the pain out of wearing high heels?

Sandra Gault, who describes herself a serial entrepreneur, believes she has found the answer. Gault is the founder of True Gault, a web-based direct-to-consumer startup that makes custom-fit high heels using a smartphone app that 3D scans women's feet.

The app, which is downloadable only for the iPhone 5 or higher, revolutionizes the way women look at shoe sizes as it eliminates the need for traditional sizing. Gault explains that nobody is perfectly symmetrical and no two feet are exactly alike even if they belong to the same person. Because conventional high heels in the market follow standard sizing, the shoes become problematic for the feet.

The app first asks users to register by providing a few basic information, including height, weight, standard shoe size, and color and style preferences. They will then be able to choose from about 20 different styles and a range of different colors. Heel height options are 2 and 4in.

Users are then given the instructions on how to scan their feet. Once completed, they are given a serial number that serves as their custom size, eliminating the need for repetitive scanning. Based on the results, the shoes are custom-made to fit the feet perfectly.

A pair goes for $250 and is manufactured in Spain. Shipping takes about three to four weeks. The app also keeps users updated on the status of their orders, informing them when the shoes are being made and when they have been shipped.

As a testament to how comfortable the shoes are, Gault says that about 35 percent of the customers have bought more than two pairs.

The True Gault app was launched initially in the Apple store on December 22, 2016 and has currently scanned more than 2,000 women’s feet. The high-heeled dress shoes are available only in the US and Canada but the company plans to take the business worldwide.