What does it indicate if a shoe crease is proximal to the ball of the foot?

When a shoe crease is found proximal to the ball of the foot, it often suggests that the length of the shoe is excessive. A properly fitting shoe should not create a noticeable crease in the upper material when the foot is in its natural position. If the shoe is too long, the excess material does not align with the natural flexion point of the foot (the ball), resulting in creasing above this area as the foot moves.

This placement of the crease indicates that the shoe is not appropriately sized for the wearer's foot, leading to a lack of proper contact and support where it is needed during normal activity, such as walking or running. In contrast, creasing in different locations may suggest various other fitting issues, but a proximal crease typically points directly to excess shoe length.