I'm in Shoe Size Hades

**tmattimore** · 10th October 11, 03:32 AM

You have discovered the main failure of modern footwear marketing. There has never been a true set of standard shoe sizes with the exception of some militaries in a specific shoe.

All of these lasts (the form shoes are built upon) are marked 7.5 U.S. except the blue one which is marked 7 and is the longest. The last major survey I know of to coordinate shoe last sizes to feet was done by the U.S. Army in 1912 for the "Service Shoe Board", The U.S. army specified shoes be marked one size larger than actual for over 100 years just to deal with the G.I. who told the Q.M. that his shoe size was larger. Nike has done some surveys but does not place too strict a standard on subcontractors as most of their products are sold in retail outlets where they can be tried on. Lasts are usually made to fit a desginers image of what the finished shoe should look like.
I reccomend trying on as many shoes as you can in a style you like before ordering on line and then ordering from someone with an easy return policy.

My apologies as a shoemaker for the trouble and confusion but after 22 years of doing it I still get one wrong every now and then.
Sending actual measurements to a retailer will not help as they rarely if ever have the last the model was built on to compare measurements. If you are dealing with a small maker or bespoke maker the foot tracing and careful measurements should get you a 95% or better chance of a proper fit the first time. Shoe fit is also dependent on the shape of the foot, length of the arch (from heel to ball) length of the toes, proportion of width of heel to width of the ball and numerous other factors.

**CDNSushi** · 10th October 11, 04:07 AM

Tmattimore,

Thanks for your perspective from the shoemaker's end. It's insightful...

In the end, I settled on a Spanish bespoke company, and all their boots are handmade. I sent them my actual foot measurements (length and width) which, as I mentioned, I accomplished by putting my feet between two bricks (making sure they were square) and measuring the length with a tape measure. We'll see what happens. The boots weren't cheap, but not too bad either. €175 plus shipping.

In the mean time, if I need any more footwear, I'll just have to pay close attention to the sizing system they have up on their website, and perhaps send an e-mail or two to confirm things before actually going ahead and ordering from the site.

**Pleater** · 10th October 11, 05:16 AM

Many years ago I bought some 'Kickers' brand short boots which were just perfect - and then they were dropped, but I liked them so much that I persuaded a shop in Bournemouth to seek out half a dozen pairs and let me know when they were in.

I went to the shop with 300 pounds to buy them all, but luckily I decided to try them on first.

Three pairs were too tight to put on.

One pair can only be worn with my finest socks, two have always been just fine.

Superficially they looked identical, the soles were identical, but the uppers were cut smaller in some colours of leather, and the suedey ones were really skimped.

I still have the four pairs of boots, but would never buy footwear mail order by size, except in dire need.

Most of those laths look totally unlike the shape of my feet - the inside edge is curved where my foot is straight, and straight where mine curves.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

**Spartan Tartan** · 10th October 11, 05:44 AM

I am sure you are talking about hiking boots, but i just thought i would add to the conversation. I share your frustration with online shoe sizing. Moreover, boots in particular are difficult. I have gone boot shopping (specifically cowboy boots) where two boots marked the same size are widely different. There is a local company which will send you molds for your feet. They get molds of your feet then build the boot around them. Admittedly, it does cost a pretty penny (and i haven't bought from them). I just thought it was interesting how they solve the sizing piece.

**Bugbear** · 11th October 11, 07:39 PM

Originally Posted by Pleater

... Most of those laths look totally unlike the shape of my feet - the inside edge is curved where my foot is straight, and straight where mine curves.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

Didn't you once say you are able to pick up things with your feet or something like that, Pleater?

**O'Callaghan** · 13th October 11, 09:27 PM

Originally Posted by Bugbear

Didn't you once say you are able to pick up things with your feet or something like that, Pleater?

Oh, I can do that too. I can pick up a pencil from the floor with my toes. Not sure if I could write with my foot, though!

**Bugbear** · 13th October 11, 09:51 PM

Originally Posted by O'Callaghan

Oh, I can do that too. I can pick up a pencil from the floor with my toes. Not sure if I could write with my foot, though!

Ya, that's what I mean. I thought it was Pleater who said that, but maybe not...
Writing with your foot would be an interesting skill to have. Although writing four different things about four different subjects with both hands and both feet all at the same time would be even more interesting.