I'm in Shoe Size Hades

[Pleater]

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:

[ForresterModern]

I fell in love with Merrell hiking shoes/boots about 17 years ago and for a few years could get them in the same size (US13) with a virtually identical fit and near identical feel. Then I think the company changed hands and nearly every Merrell shoe/boot I tried had as above very variable fit and sizing for about 6-7 years, then I tried them again and they started fitting again, still at 13US, like they did before. Not sure what happened but have been happy with my Merrells ever since, so I typically try to stick to them if I have to mail order something.

Aftermarket inserts can also make a big difference too. If a shoe fits a little loose I can buy a Montrail insert in size 14 which brings them down to my usual 13 fit.

[Spartan Tartan]

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.

[Riverkilt]

What I don't get is selling shoes in only ONE width!!?? I have wide Scot feet 4E+ and play hell finding wide shoes and boots. At least the Z Coil store will stretch them wide for me...

I've seen hats labeled "one size fits most" .....no....heads, feet, et.al. have sizes..

I'm sure it goes back to more efficient manufacturing and better inventory control as opposed to CUSTOMER SERVICE....

[Joshua]

I have wide boats as well, but my biggest issue is the instep depth - my foot is 4" from sole to the highest point in my foot. This becomes a toe-numbing experience for most shoes, even those labeled as wide.

I pray Clarks, Sketchers (for a casual sneaker), and Doc Martens remain true to size forever. I have a pair of bespoke (I sent in 3d measurements of each foot) Olympic weightlifting shoes made by Powerfirm in Canada years ago, they still fit great but the maker sold his business and the site now sells cheap mass-produced Chinese weightlifting shoes. When those shoes give up the ghost it will probably be easier for me to just take up pilates instead.

The Clarks are as comfy as loose socks. You can't beat them... I just wish they carried more classic styles for the more discriminating satchsquatch like myself...

[Kett]

[snip]In the end, I settled on a Spanish bespoke company[snip]

What company, CDNSushi? PM me if you'd rather not post, please?

Thank you!

[Bugbear]

... 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?

[CDNSushi]

What company, CDNSushi? PM me if you'd rather not post, please?

Thank you!

Done.

[DWFII]

Shoes and boots are made over lasts. Whether the company changes hands or not, lasts wear out. For one reason or the other (complaints, manufacturing issues, etc.), companies often take that as an opportunity to remodel or change the last as they are replaced.

Compounding all that is the fact that despite popular opinion there really is no standard length (stick) or girth for a size 6D, for instance.

Lasts are often designated a particular size in accordance with other, often sociological considerations, that have struck the makers fancy. If a maker is producing shoes for women, for instance, they will often be marked a size or even two smaller than girth and stick would indicate. This caters to the vanity of some individuals who do not like to admit that they have big feet. And the designated last size will then be transferred to the shoe itself in the form of the information on the box or printed on the lining.

Depending on many factor...including country of origin...no two shoes marked 7D will fit the same. Sometimes there will be drastic discrepancies.

Beyond that, feet change. Especially as we get older.

If you rely on shoe salesmen or the size marked on the box to get a fit, you might as well flip a coin.

[thescot]

I wear either a 13 or 14 narrow! Try finding something like that at all.