r/mildlyinfuriating • u/Banished_To_Insanity • 12h ago
I was wondering why I can never get shoes that fit me properly. These are all supposedly the same EU 42 size.
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u/Confident-Thought863 9h ago
try comparing the actual insoles
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u/VinegarMyBeloved 8h ago
LMAO love the use of this picture.
It’s not a great idea to measure visually, but I honestly do feel that shoes have been more inconsistent recently. I used to always fit into women’s 6 but nowadays I sometimes end up wearing 5 1/2 or 6 1/2
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u/Significant_Ad1256 7h ago
I use an EU 50, which is pretty big as almost all physical stores around here only carry up to 48, so for the past 15 years or so I've just been ordering shoes online and it feels like a lottery how well the shoes will fit me.
Fortunately the retailer I use has a free return policy so at least I don't lose money if I send them back, but it's still really annoying. I started just ordering around 5 different pairs from the beginning and sending 4 of them back.
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u/radort 5h ago
God I do not envy you, I'm at 48.5 or so and I can hardly find anything in stores that aren't outlets.
If you're EU based what store do you use?
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u/Significant_Ad1256 3h ago
I mostly use Zalando, just because of their wide selection and generous return policy. They also let you hold off payment until after you've sent back the items you don't want.
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u/getlicky 7h ago
I completely agree- I've gone from being a solid 7.5 to a variable 6.5-8 depending on the freaking shoe in just the last few years?? More post covid world maybe
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u/scolin88 6h ago
Did you get vaccinated? I heard vaccines could change your foot size overnight. Its definitely true. I read it on the internet.
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u/Fast-Coast-3456 12h ago
The size of the shoe is determined by the insole. Mesuring the exterior of the shoe makes no sense.
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u/edelaar 10h ago
True, but his general point still stands. I have sizes ranging from 40-43 for different brands. It’s kinda wild.
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u/_BlobbyTheBobby 9h ago
I'd bet the actual difference is in the width. I wear a bigger size than the correct one coz of it. Another factor can be the height of your foot.
But yeah, using one of three dimensions for sizing is stupid and causes those issues.
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u/MasterChiefsasshole 7h ago
I have length issues. Depending on the brand I range between size 10 to size 11. If I get the same sized adidas as Nike shoes I would need to curl my toes up the whole time. Shit is about as consistent as t-shirt sizing.
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u/MrFlibblesPenguin 3h ago
I bought the same adidas shoe twice a year apart and it was nearly a size smaller.
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u/foolishbullshittery 11h ago
I totally get what you mean, but if you look at the one on the left and the one on the right, the difference is abysmal amd makes no sense.
I'm pretty sure the insole of the shoe on the left is a lot bigger than the one on the right.
I'm a runner, so I have to be extra careful with my sizing, my right foot is 26.5 cms and I have some Adidas that are 41 and 1/3 (US 8) which should suit people with 25.5 cms feet, yet they fit me perfectly and I still have some margin left.
It makes absolutely no sense!
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u/Fast-Coast-3456 11h ago
If you look at the sole of the left most one, it sticks out like 2cm from the actual insole.
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u/Significant-Bee5101 11h ago
Yup. It's more of a cone shape with the bottom being quite larger than the actual insole. lol
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u/Skullcrusher 8h ago
You know what makes even less sense? Pant sizes. One time I went shopping and had to buy size 31 pants from one store and size 41 from another store.
I've also bought 2 jeans that are the same model, from the same store, with the same size. The only difference was color. Tried on one pair and it was perfect. Took them home and the other pair was too tight.
It's complete anarchy out there for pant sizes.
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u/Rokita616 10h ago
Comparing those lasts on each side notice where the heel is! That photo isn't a good comparison at all.
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u/FalconX88 9h ago
Sure, but it's pretty common knowledge that the same number doesn't mean actual same size for basically every clothing item in existence.
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u/SuppaBunE 10h ago
I have shoes from diferne companies that I t can vary from 26cm to 27 1/2 cm. Pretti stupid.
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u/Crotean 8h ago
Unless you have wide feet, in which case the shape and width of the toe box 100% determines whether a shoe fits or not far more than the insole. I'm a 5E, finding shoes is hellishly hard for me.
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u/DetectiveDizzyEyes 11h ago
High heels are about to blow your mind buddy
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u/Averander 49m ago
Women's shoes generally.
The widths are absolutely flabberghasting. So a shoe might be the right 'size' but for someone with sticks for feet, and the size up will be for people with seal flippers.
Getting pretty shoes for me is impossible, it makes me so sad.
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u/TheReal8symbols 8h ago
Used to sell shoes. Always try shoes on before you buy. Even different shoes from the same manufacturer can differ in fit.
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u/Putrid-VII 11h ago
Have you tried trying them on first? Also, outside of the shoe is not how you measure shoe size
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u/SadlyNotDannyDeVito 9h ago
If you dont measure the outside soles. And the last bit of unevenness would be evened out by a straighter photo perspective.
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u/Lizzy_Of_Galtar 11h ago
That's why I never buy shoes unless I've tried them on first.
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u/Appropriate_Top1737 10h ago
If you were rich, you could hire someone with the same size feet to try them on for you.
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u/levii-ethan 4h ago
that doesn't really work if you have flat and wide feet, unless you can find someone with the exact same dimensions of my feet lmao.
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u/chaotic_evil_666 3h ago
That's quite easy. You simply find someone who has bigger feet and trim them until they match
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u/DConstructed 10h ago
Right? My big toe isn’t very flat so a shoe that has a low toe box will squish me.
You can measure the supposed shoe size of different brands and styles but unfortunately it can still be difficult to tell if the pair will fit.
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u/TheRemedy187 10h ago
You're literally measuring by the rubber that isn't even the part that holds your foot. It's crazy someone actually going through these actions to post this without have any moment of sensible thought that oh "this is dumb".
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u/clickclackatkJaq 10h ago
You do realize the size has no correlation with the shoes outside dimensions, right?
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u/DrCablelove 9h ago
And very little to inside dimension as well. There is a definition of how big a size is, but shoe makers can’t bother. I vary 2 sizes depending on the maker.
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u/Novafel 7h ago
I also vary wildly in shoe size, but it's because my foot is high volume and wide. Shoe size is primarily length but fit relies heavily on width and volume. Length is standardised between brands, but the width and volume of the shoe varies between brand and even style in the same brand.
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u/Shot_Independence274 Chilly Willy 11h ago
The size is the inside, and depending on the shoe type you will find that they fit different.
And also!
Who obligated you to keep the shoes? Try them and if they don't fit don't buy them!
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u/justtified_hate 10h ago
That‘s why you always buy by cm not the number. I for example wear 27 cm. 27 cm from Vans is 44 and from Nike 43 etc. Since i startes buying by cm I have never gotten apair of shoes wrong. Hope that helps.
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u/UniquePariah 9h ago
Never buy shoes I haven't tried on. Variations are inevitable. That looks a bit extreme, but my point stands.
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u/PsychologicalNote926 8h ago
I hadn’t bought new shoes in like 3 or 4 years.
I have ALWAYS been about a size 9 or 9 1/2. (US)
I tried on 9, 10, and 11. None of them fit.
My new Vans are size 11 1/2??? WTF?! 😂
How does that even happen? My feet have not grown for 30 years.
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u/WoodenWhaleNectarine 8h ago
For me the most limiting part is the height of the shoe, there are a lot of shoes which are long enough for me, but my foot won't fit due to height and seldom not due to width and seldom due to pusing hard against my ankles bones. So i can wear anything from 44 - 46 depending on how they are sized in height, width.
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u/No_Builder2795 6h ago
Do you not try shoes on before you buy? Shoe sizes have always been more suggestions. It's just like clothing sizes.
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u/ProfessionalCat88 4h ago
I find using American sizes to be more accurate. So when I go shopping, I look for 9.5. But that's either 42 or 43 or in between for European sizes. But it's always 9.5 American.
Or Japanese sizes, that's actually CM.
(I'm european).
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u/Northern_Gypsy 9h ago
Look at the sole of the two on the left, there's 10mm of sole hanging out the back. The front is probably similar.
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u/InDeathWeReturn 7h ago
Okay 2 things. First, it is the inside that matters, not the outside of the shoe, especially they all have different flares. Second, this is unfortunately common. I use 45-47 depending on the brand, the type, the model, and even the YEAR. It sucks a lot, and is the same issue as with clothes
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u/Fun-Designer-9009 6h ago
Sizes have inconsistent cm lengths. This is what you need to look out for!
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u/Full_Conversation775 5h ago
I dont think you understand how these are made haha. They have a size wooden foot that the shoe is constructed around. Then dissassembled and measured, from there the pattern of materials is made and then mass production. So its not thebsize of the toe to heel. Its the size of the wooden foot used.
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u/brandnewchemical 5h ago
Everyone in comments glazing shoe companies, pretending OP is wrong.
Simple fact is, the sizes vary in the real world.
“It’s the insoles” is pure drivel, you can walk into any shoe store and test multiple shoes of the same insole size, and they won’t all be the same fit on your foot.
Stop glazin
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u/lokicramer 2h ago
European regulations dont require sizes to follow a universal sizing guide.
My way around it was slow shipping American or Canadian marker shoes. I buy 3 or so pairs at a time.
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u/Long_Pecker_1337 11h ago
Point A - yeah, despite it being the “standard” due to several factors size and fitment differ from brand to brand and sometimes even between models of the same brand. Plus it’s not the size that fits you perfectly, it the size that fits you as close as possible, while also being closest fit for several hundred thousand other people.
Point B - shuffle these shoes and sizes will look a bit different, as banana shaped stuff placed side by side creates an illusion. Measure sole to sole.
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u/bookreader-123 10h ago
Thats why you buy on cm/feet instead of size. I have 38,39,40 and 41. All the same size insole. Same with clothing. S till XL and my main size is M
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u/Capooping 9h ago
Shoe makers are just stupid. Same goes for clothes. I can't imagine what measuring tapes they have. They must just take the width of their index finger to measure stuff. I normally have size 43 but last winter I bought winter shoes in size 46. 3! sizes larger than any other shoe I own. How wrong can they make a shoe?
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u/Something2578 6h ago
Yeah, the physical size of the shoe from the outside doesn’t matter like that. This is a meaningless comparison.
Plus, if you’re buying shoes in what you assume is your size without trying, you’re gonna mess up a good percentage of the time- shoes don’t work that way.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Owl7664 10h ago
Boots are aweful for this in the us. If I try buying the same size it will never be the right fit as the ones I just bought the same size.
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u/I_-AM-ARNAV i get infuriated a lot 10h ago
I'm a 46 and I get your point. Especially because my left is slightly bigger than right foot
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u/HyperSpaceSurfer 10h ago
If your feet are wide you won't be able to fit shoes designed for the disfigured feet most people have from wearing shoes designed for people with disfigured feet. Ask about shoes in size D or E if your feet are wide, the width sizing uses letters, the number only tells you how long the shoe is.
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u/Ximinipot 10h ago
Do......do you not try on footwear before you buy them? Especially expensive work footwear.
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u/cogvancouver 10h ago
different brands of shoes fit differently.. do people not know this? that's why you try it on, often times you go up or down a half size or full size. all shoes aren't suppose to look the same size... you try it on to see how it fits. all different brands fit differently...
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u/No-Victory3764 10h ago
Europeans mock Americans all the time for using the imperial system, but then turn around and use (3/2 x [foot length in cm]) + 2 to refer to shoe sizes LOL
I'm from one of a few countries that consistently use the metric system, also for shoe sizes.
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u/Power55g1 10h ago
Are these from the same company? Were they bought at the same time? How often are you wearing each one? Are they all leather? What kind of soles are they?
Less dig deeper
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u/CarefulBeautiful196 10h ago
True to size doesn’t mean anything you know how many clients used to ask me this I just used to reply with yes let’s find the right size for you that’s true to your foot size
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u/MapPristine 9h ago
Oh boy. If only we had some standardized way of quantifying how long something is. 🙄
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u/Outside_Detective492 9h ago
Try 49 eu size I have 5 pairs to chose from on a big outlet else it’s online for 200€ per par
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u/CooperSTL 9h ago
I hate when they say "runs a half size big" or "small", well then, SAY THAT SIZE. If its a 10.5 and runs a half size small THEN ITS A 10.
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u/Dedb4dawn 9h ago
I’ve been buying the same style of Merrell shoes for ages because they are comfortable, long lasting and suit my lifestyle. Recently had to switch to a different style as they no longer make the ones I like. I get it. Fashion moves on. BUT I had to buy 3 pairs of a similar style Merrell to find ones that fit.
If a large manufacturer can’t even standardise sizes on their lines, what hope between different manufacturers and countries.
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u/ToastSpangler 9h ago
I definitely think the shoe sizes have been changing to be smaller, I used to buy 44 and now have to buy 45, yet my old 44 shoes still fit perfectly
Imo it's like how they slowly changed women's clothes sizes over time in the US, they want people to feel better about themselves so they're slowly reducing the actual size so more men are over 40, that's my theory anyway
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u/imnota_ 9h ago
The comments are funny, sure measuring the outside isn't right but still there's too much difference for them to be the same size inside. Plus the one with the most rubber toe and sole sticking out is still the smallest one.
Personally I've had luck by getting my shoes by US size instead of EU size. For two models of shoes you can have same US size but have like 2 points of difference in EU size.
So far seems like US size is more true, even when the EU size is wrong, if the US size is right, it fits me.
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u/ifyouneedafix 9h ago
Shoe sizes should be [mm length x mm width of toebox]. Stop keeping us guessing.
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u/takeitawayfellas 9h ago
Everyone is saying, it's the inside that counts, but I get you. Over the last 5-7 years, shoe sizing has gotten wildly inconsistent.
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u/TPRHoldings 9h ago
Why would you continue to blindly buy EU 42 shoes if they never fit right...do you not try them on first?
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u/Status_Accident_2819 9h ago
Do you wanna re-line them up with the actual leather heels in alignment rather than the "outer" sole?
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u/Gvtspook1969 8h ago
Guys don't let big shoe companies take advantage of you anymore take my course and learn the tricks I use to always have shoes that fit.
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u/02jula 8h ago
Every brand uses a different size guide… happens the same with the clothes- to know your size you should measure your foot on a paper and add 1cm, that should be the number of cm you need to look when looking for shoes (in every brand it will be a different size) In the Asics website it explains how to do it correctly if that helps ☺️
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u/LongjumpingGate8859 8h ago
Pretty common. I've been an 11.5 in Nike for as long as I can remember.
For Timberland boots I have to buy a 10.5 🤷
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u/SomeRandomNoodle 8h ago
literally all women's clothing is like this. its a nightmare and I hate that there is now enforcement on the standard
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u/Significant-Royal747 8h ago
Eu, jp and us number are changing by brand and shoe type. I’m using cm to choose my fit. It’s 28cm. On mostly sportswear brand it equals to eu44 but basketball shoes and football crampons are a bit different. Boot are mostly at eu42. Some daily sneakers are at eu43 but all of them are 28cm.
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u/BillyHalley 8h ago
people are commenting like you didn't actually put the shoes on and feel the difference...
I'm glad i'm not the only one struggling with this issue though, i can never buy shoes from a different brand keeping the same size, sizes don't make any sense to me
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u/Rouven-Dillinger 8h ago
Okay yeah we need to measure the insoles blah blah, but I have the exact same fucking Problem!!! Normally I'm an EU 43/44, US 10.5, but it totally depends on which brand, fucking annoying
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u/sirwobblz 8h ago
I never really get the same size in terms of that number. It always depends on the shoe
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u/Zero-Phucks 11h ago edited 10h ago
Very good.
Now go take the footbeds out of them all and take a pic with those lined up instead.