How do I measure the size of my feet?

Well firstly you can measure your own feet by following these simple instructions,

1. Find an A4 blank sheet of paper and a hard flat surface.

2. Place your foot on the paper, including the socks you are wearing.

3. Get a pen and hold it vertically and not at an angle.

4. Then you need to place a mark at the end of your big toe and heel.

5. Then you can also leave marks at the widest part of your feet, if your concerned with exact width measurement.

6. Get a ruler and extend the marks for the big toe and heel.

UK Size Chart Mens in Centimeters (heal to toe)

4 -------------- 22.4
5 -------------- 23.3
6 -------------- 24
7 -------------- 25
8 -------------- 25.8
9 -------------- 26.5
10 -------------- 27.5
11 -------------- 28.4
12 -------------- 29.2
13 -------------- 30.1

UK Women's Shoe Size Inches (heal to toe)

3 -------------- 8.69 inches
3.5 ----------- 8.8
4 ---------------- 9
4.5 -------------- 9.1
5 -------------- 9.3
5.5 -------------- 9.5
6 -------------- 9.6
6.5 -------------- 9.8
7 -------------- 10
7.5 -------------- 10.1
8 -------------- 10.3
8.5 -------------- 10.5

The UK size chart is measured in hands and barleycorns. One hand equals four inches. Men's and ladies have different scales. In Europe they generally measure in Paris Points, with each point or unit equal to two-thirds of a centimetre.

However, each manufacturer does slightly vary. Therefore measuring your feet is never an exact science. Most sizing experts would agree that buying shoes online is difficult. The majority of major brands do not stick to exact sizing regulations and this can make buying online a lottery.

Below you can click to enlarge a shoe size chart created so you can print it off at home. Please use a ruler to make sure the image in inches is to scale. It's been tested on a couple of computers but may not print to scale for everyone.

Shoe Size Chart - click to enlarge

I plan to buy from a US site, will the sizes be the same?

No they will not. The sizing regulations for shoes varies for Japan, Europe, the UK and USA. Below is printed a size converter for your convenience. The conversion charts do slightly vary for European sizing. Therefore it's difficult to provide 100% accurate data.

Mens

UK

5
5.5
6
6.5
7
7.5
8
8.5
9
9.5
10
10.5
11
12
13
14
15
16

Womens

Are there any general fitting tips I should know of?

- Feet tend to expand over the course of a day so it's better to try on shoes in the late afternoon and evening. A tight fitting shoe in the morning can become uncomfortable as the day wears on. Especially if your job or daily activity involves alot of walking or standing.

- You should also make sure your big toe has around half an inch or a thumb width of space. Otherwise your toes will rub against the material and this will create discomfort and blisters. Just make sure you can extend your toes and wiggle them when trying your shoes on. Another way to make sure your toes have enough room is to follow these instructions. Put on your shoe, do not tie the laces up, tap the toe of the shoe on the ground, if you can just fit a finger behind your heel your shoe should fit correctly.

- Make sure your wearing your usual pair of socks and not thick hiking socks.

- The major problem with getting hooked up on size numbers is that the manufacturers do not stick to exacting regulations. For example a size nine Puma trainer can be half a size larger than a size nine Adidas trainer. That's why buying online is such a lottery.

- Make sure you take any insole supports into the shop with you. Likewise for any other orthotics.

Do you have any sizing information for sports brands like Nike?

Most brands differ shoe to shoe, so we can provide only a general impression.

Adidas - On the small side. Order half a size larger.

Nike - They stick to regulations fitting sizes. Order your normal size.

Puma - On the small side. Order half a size larger. Exception is the 'Clyde' model, which sticks to regulation fitting.

Why do some retailers not list the width fittings for their shoes?

Whilst some manufacturers do provide varying width fittings it's becoming the norm for large companies to produce their footwear in one width fitting. This of course is only of help to the companies and not their customers. Like with any clothing such as shirts, different crafting techniques ensure that one manufacturer will differ to another. The way that manufacturers combat their one width fits all policy is to produce footwear with generous width. Therefore the shoes can be put on by everyone, but people with slender feet are the casualty.

Do retailers sell shoes in multi-width fittings?

We've found it's unusual for this to be the case. Most shoes sold have a standard width fitting. There was recently classified a UK standard for sizing of width. It would convert into a traditional ‘D’ fit for men and '2A' for ladies. However, some sports brands have narrower fittings such as Adidas. Furthermore, there are brands like Nike who provide 2E shoe fitting, these are wider and suit men with broad feet. If your lucky you may even find a '4E' size, which is extra wide. For ladies there are B and D width fittings out there for women with broader feet.

Will a correct size fitting result in a comfortable shoe?

A controversial subject, my answer would be no. And that's why buying online is a pure lottery. I believe a comfortable shoe relies on the mechanical construction of the shoes, such as how flexible it is. Also the materials it's constructed out of dictate the heat, and moisture the foot will feel. Only by trying shoes on in-store will you gain a clear insight as to whether a shoe will be comfortable or not. Feet come in a huge selection of proportions, finding a anatomically perfect shoe from a sizing chart is impossible.

Have you any buying tips?

The most important part of buying any shoe is making sure they fit. With leather shoes you can sometimes be mislead. Leather will stretch and adjust to the size of your foot. Therefore if you buy a pair of shoes which are too tight the shoes over time will lose their shape and look unattractive. Therefore it's important the shoe fits perfectly, so take your time and do not rush your decision if your uncertain. Next the price, I believe firmly that you always pay for what you get. A bargain is great, but make sure it's a genuine bargain. Typically a good pair of leather shoes will start at £100. What you will get is shoes with a longer lifespan. If maintained it's not unheard of for quality shoes to last over twenty years. If your buying shoes specifically for evening wear then buy a slightly larger size than you would have for daytime use. Your feet swell during the day.

Are there any maintenance tips I should know of?

Leather shoes benefit from regular polishing, likewise suede shoes benefit from regular brushing. Kiwi is an excellent brand of polish which can be found in most shoe shops. A good polish helps to repair any small cracks or surface scratches on the leather. Additional use of a cream can also stop creasing. A quality pair of shoes will have stitching around the sole so the sole can be replaced if a hole appears in the leather. Likewise the top piece of a heel is also replaceable for quality shoes. A good repairer, polish, cream, and shoe tree can extend the lifespan of top quality shoes over twenty years. A shoe horn can also be used if you have tight fitting shoes, they help to avoid scuffing the leather by a forceful entry of the foot. It's also important not to get shoes with leather soles wet. If it looks like a damp day then bring out a cheap pair of shoes with a rubber sole. If you have a selection of nice shoes then alternate the days you wear them. The leather absorbs sweat on warm days, and ideally they should be left for a couple of days to dry. Finally storage, find an area away from the sun or heat, a rack in the open is ideal. Shoes stored in a cupboard cannot breath as easily. Also use shoe trees, they stretch the shoe when not in use and this slows down the level of creasing and bending of the sole.

Are there any things to avoid in regards to maintenance?

Machine washing is rarely advised for any shoes, for canvas, leather and fabric shoes machine washing can seriously damage them. Wet shoes should be left to dry naturally. If you are drying shoes by artificial heat it can separate leather and other materials from their bonding. Again this can cause serious damage which cannot be repaired. When scrapping dried mud from your shoes use a brush, a sharp or dull knife can create deep scratches in the leather.

What is Urethane, what other materials are used in making footwear?

Also called Polyurethane, it's not a natural material but a synthetic. It's used as both a material for soles, and also as an upper. It can be painted upon easily, it's strong, durable and light weight. Urethane is most commonly used for Wellington boots. Some other popular materials used for making shoes are canvas and leather. Canvas is ideal as a material for uppers, it's light weight and durable and used for sports shoes. Cloth based uppers are also common in warmer climes of the world where the foot needs to breath more freely. Leather is the most common material used for uppers in colder climes of the world. It's also used as a sole, but this isn't as common because leather is not water proof. Leather uppers vary greatly in looks and durability. This is because the different hides from animals vary in their properties.

Why is leather such a good material for shoes?

Leather features pores in the material which always the foot to breath. In warm conditions it can absorb moisture and extract it. The only problem comes in the tanning solution used to dye the leather. They can clog the pores of the leather and hinder it's natural abilities.

What style of shoe is a brogue?

Is a formal leather shoes decorated with bold punched holes in the leather. Also features considerable gimping.

Some other popular styles of footwear include,

Ankle Strap - A female style of high heeled shoe, the name tells you all you need to know.

Boot – This is where the upper covers the ankle.

Cap toes - A fancy version of an oxford shoe, they include an extra band of leather for the toe section.

Court - Has a flat sole, usually no fastening like laces or Velcro straps.

Clog - Carved from wood, rarely used in modern circumstances unless it's a stylized clog made from leather.

Espadrille - Spanish shoe woven from fabrics, and a sole from rope or similar style fabric.

Flip Flops - A sandal with a distinctive v-shaped strap.

Gibson (Derby) - Formal style of shoes, usually made of leather, only include 2-3 eyelet lace sockets.

Loafers - A slip-on shoe, sometimes has a decorative tassel on top, and sometimes styled like moccasins.

Mary Jane - Female shoe which always features a distinctive strap across the middle.

Moccasin - Styled from native American footwear, includes a seam running around the top of the upper.

Monk – Formal style of shoe that features a buckle instead of laces.

Mule - Slip on shoe which is commonly used for slippers and sandals. Toes are sometimes exposed.

Oxford - Features a V shaped upper design, five eyelets and a cap for the toe.

Peep Toes - As the name suggest, the toes are exposed, sometimes just the big toe or all five.

Platform - Very popular in the 70's, heel size varies, section under the toes makes a shoe a platform shoe.

Sandal - Slip on shoe used for the summer months, upper features straps.

Sling Back - The strap which wraps around the rear of the leg makes a shoe a sling back.

Stiletto - The heal is razor thin and pointy. The heel is very high, uncomfortable and different to balance on.

Trainer (sneaker) - Shoe designed for sports activities, rubber shoe, upper made of canvas or leather.

(pictures from www.shoeshop.com)

What is a shank?

A shank is a piece of metal placed between the sole and insole. This is a reinforcement which allows a shoe to bend naturally, and to avoid any unnecessary discomfort to how the foot naturally bends.

Below is listed a selection of common terms explained.

Apron - The section of an upper, part of the middle surface.

Backstrap - Joins materials together at the rear of the upper.

Cork - Usually added to give shock absorption.

Counter – Section of the upper placed at the rear of the shoe.

Eyelets - The holes which the laces go through, sometimes made of plastic and metal to increase the last ability.

Featherline - The section where the upper meets the sole.

Heel – Rear of the sole which supports the foots heel.

Heel breast – The section which begins at the front of the heel.

Insole – A strip of material placed within the shoe on top of the sole, if your foot needs extra support for an arch, then an insole can be bought. Some come with perfume included to cover bad feet smells.

Lining– Usually covers the complete shoe interior except the insole.

Outsole - Is the part of the sole which touches the ground. Rubber is used because its water proof. Dress shoes have leather shoes usually, but they leak water in damp conditions.

Tongue - Strip of material placed behind the laces so they do not dig into the foot, also helps when putting a shoe on.

Upper - This is the top part of the shoe, and attaches the foot to the sole. Can simply be straps for sandals.

Wedge - Extension of the heel to provide a flat line of sole.

Welt - A piece of fabric which connects the sole and upper.

How can I know the shoes I am buying are genuine?

There are many sellers online willing to sell fakes to unwitting customers. Typically auction sites like eBay are the place most fakes are found. Why?, it takes under an hour to create a seller account, and you can remain largely anonymous. With a stand alone website the effort and cost required in setting up the process is extended considerable. That's not to say you can't find many e-tailers selling fakes. If a deal looks too good to be true then it probably will be. If you have not heard of the company, they do not provide a real world address and contact telephone number, their prices are massively reduced then your taking a calculated gamble. You can play it safe by visiting retailers online like 'JD Sports' (over 100 real world stores), where you can be certain your buying genuine products. Quite a few online retailers may not be selling counterfeits, but it could be second quality items. Peace of mind will be a guarantee on the site that all items are 100% genuine and will come in their original packaging and documentation.

Is returning an online order easy?

Shoes tend to have a high returns rate. First port of call when visiting any online footwear retailer is to check their returns policy. Retailers like Brantano are free of charge for all returns. They instruct consumers to re-pack the shoes in the original packaging (always be careful when opening an online order), then apply the returns label provided. You should always ask for a free certificate of posting if using the Royal Mail. Therefore if an accident happens in the post you have proof of postage. As long as you keep the certificate and reference number there should be no issues in receiving a refund. Brantano are an excellent example of a first class returns policy. Sadly this isn't the case with all retailers. Typically most will not refund postage and package charges. Many will only refund the credit card used for the order. Finally nearly every retailer will not refund items which are worn, used or damaged. It's worth considering that retailers with real world stores like Brantano will accept online orders returned to their stores. M&S for example will allow the return of all their shoes, shirts, suits and apparels.

I am going on an extended holiday to Thailand, someone mentioned that you cannot display the sole of your foot?

This is actually correct. Just like picking your nose in public is considered rude or disgusting in the UK. You will not go down well with the local populace if you display the sole of your foot or shoes. Therefore be careful when crossing your legs or resting your legs. Though it is highly unlikely to occur you should also not allow your foot to touch the head of another person, for this is another breath of etiquette in Thailand. Just as in the UK and US it's sometimes seen as rude to enter someone's home without asking whether the owner wishes for you to remove your shoes.

I'm looking for work boots, are there are any safety regulations boots have to adhere to?

Yes, it's the European Standard regulations number of "EN345". The regulations include varies code numbers which denote safety of the footwear in different areas,

SB - protects toes from crushing

S1 - protects toes, anti static, and absorbs energy

S2 - protects toes, anti static, and absorbs energy, water proof

S3 - protects toes, anti static, and absorbs energy, water proof, sole protection against standing on sharp objects

Can I order orthopedic shoes online?

After a quick search on Google there are quite a few retailers offering an orthopedic shoe service. One for example was taylormadeshoes.co.uk and chaneco.co.uk who can help with mild to severe problems. Their service offers raising the height of one shoe, building shoes around unusual shaped feet, or aiming to alleviate back ache. If your looking to rectify a mild problem like with a padded removable insole or an ankle brace for moderate ankle pain, or chronic weak ankles, then the options online are extensive. For more severe problems we would personally recommend a visit to a store in your local town/city. Buying shoes that fit online can be a mine field for someone without any orthopedic needs.

Any tips for shoe / foot hygiene?

Many people mistakenly think the odour produced from a shoe is the result of smelly feet. In a healthy person feet rarely produce any odour. The smell is the result of the material used in the construction of the shoe. Leather is very good at absorbing perspiration and extracting it through it's pores. Other materials are not so proficient at this. They absorb the sweat and bacteria over time but do not do a good job of extracting it. Therefore they will need regular cleaning, you can find a wealth of odour sprays for sale and other products for cleaning inside a shoe.

I need to get a new sole for my shoes, what options do I have?

Historically leather was the most common materials used for shoe soles. Present day shoe soles made of rubber, TPR, PVC, PU or EVA are the most common. Why?, because rubber lasts longer than leather, can be formed into grips and is waterproof.

- this image show the type of grip rubber can be formed into

There is various types of rubber however, Crepe rubber for example is soft and works well as a shock absorber for running shoes. Therefore most cobblers will have a selection of leather or rubber soles to pick from. There are also professional cobblers online who will resole shoes for top branded trainers like Nike. They have exact replicas, or use replacement soles from the manufacturers.

I am trying to lose weight by logging, I jog on local roads/pavements, what running shoe should I buy?

It depends on your weight, there are certain running shoes with increased shock absorption, stability and cushioning. The 'Koji' model from the Asics Gel range of running shoe is one such trainer. Spend some time researching the manufacturers websites, or even e-mail the staff asking for their advice. Running shoes do vary, some are designed for road running, others for cross country running, and some try to cover both like the Nike Air Pegasus shoes. If you really are serious about finding the right running shoe then research 'pronation'. This will categorise the way you run and give a further insight into the best shoe for you.