By: National Shoe Retailers Association, Prescription
Footwear Association & American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Public
Information Office
Sizes very among shoe brands and styles. Don't select shoes
by the size marked inside the shoe. Judge the shoe by how it fits.
Select a shoe that conforms as nearly as possible to the
shape of your foot.
Have your feet measured regularly. The size of your feet
changes as you age.
Have BOTH feet measured. Most people have one foot larger
than the other. Fit to the largest/widest foot.
If possible fit at the end of the day when your feet are
largest.
Stand during the fitting process and check that there is adequate
space (3/8 inch to 1/2 inch) for your longest toe at the end of each shoe.
Make sure the ball of your foot fits snugly into the widest
part of the shoe.
Don't purchase shoes that feel too tight and expect them to
"stretch" to fit. This is especially true with the toe of a safety
shoe - as they do not stretch.
Your heel should fit comfortably in the shoe with a minimum
amount of slippage. Also consider that slip-on or pull-on styles will always
have slippage because they cannot be laced up for a more secure fit.
Walk in the shoe to make sure it fits and feels right. When
trying on safety shoes, Vanderloop Shoes suggests moving in positions that you
normally would be in during work (ex. kneeling). Make sure that your toes are
not rubbing against the safety toe.
Frequently Asked Questions (About Safety Footwear)
Q. What is the difference in length between a men's size 10
and a men's size 10.5?
A. The difference between a half size is about a sixth of an
inch. It may not sound like a lot, but it could be the difference between toes
rubbing against a safety toe or fitting comfortably.
Q. It's okay to wear my safety shoes outside of work for
everyday use... right?
A. It is recommended that footwear "rest" between
uses. This "rest" allows built-in cushion to get some of it's spring
back... which means your footwear will feel better for longer. The
"rest" also allows moisture to dry creating a healthier environment
for your feet. Plus, the more hours you wear the shoe, the shorter the life of
the product. To get the most out of your safety footwear we suggest wearing
them at work only.
Q. Can my shoe size really change? I've worn a men's size 12
my entire life!
A. Yes. Shoe size can change over time because your feet can
change (due to injury, weight gain/loss, pregnancy). It is also important to
keep in mind that different brands or styles fit different. We recommend trying
on footwear and walking around the store (or safety footwear truck) before you
make a purchase. You can also wear the product at home on a clean surface to
assure for proper fit before wearing the product to work or outdoors.
Q. Can I add an insole on top of what is already in my shoe?
A. Adding an insole for cushion or support can lengthen the life of any
footwear, but you should always remove the current insole before you add a new
one. Putting two insoles on top of each other will compromise the fit and
support of your footwear. It can also raise the heel significantly, which will
push the foot toward the front of the shoe and into the safety toe.
Footwear Technology Definitions
Parts Of A Boot/Shoe
Upper – the combination of materials that cover and support
the top of the foot (depending on the style of footwear it could be leather or
a synthetic upper or both).
Eyelets/Top Hooks – enhances and protects the lacing
capabilities of the footwear.
Linings – the materials inside the boot that come in direct
contact with the foot.
Footbed – the shock-absorbing layer next to the foot (most
of the time removable).
Insole – the supportive layer directly under the footbed.
Shank – provides structural and rigid support to the
footwear. Made up of steel, fiberglass, or aluminum.
Midsole – provides cushioning and stability.
Outsole/Sole – provides grip, traction, stability and
protection.
Soft Toe Footwear
Footwear that does not have a protective reinforcement in
the toe.
Safety Toe Footwear
Footwear that has a protective reinforcement in the toe
which protects the foot from falling objects or compression.
Types of
Safety Toe’s
Steel - this type of safety toe is made of heavy duty steel
that provides protection in environments where safety is important. It meets
the ASTM Standards for compression and impact rating of I-75/C-75.
Composite (Non-Metallic Toe) - this type of safety toe can
be made of fiberglass, plastic, carbon fiber or Kevlar to eliminate bulk and weight
(when compared to a steel toe) while still providing protection. They are
around 30% lighter than steel. They are also good for extreme high or low
temperatures because they won’t heat up or cool down like metal would. It meets
the ASTM Standards for compression and impact rating of I-75/C-75.
Aluminum – weighs less than steel and meets the ASTM
Standards for compression and impact rating of I-75/C-75
Alloy - this type of safety toe is made of alloy which is a
mixture of two or more metals. It is common that alloy safety toes can include
titanium or aluminum, both lightweight metals. Alloy toes are 30-50% lighter
than steel, but are just as strong as steel. They are made a bit thinner which
gives more room in the toe box as well. It meets the ASTM Standards for
compression and impact rating of I-75/C-75.
Met Guard Footwear
Footwear that has a metatarsal guard to protect the upper
foot from falling objects or compression.
Types of Met
Guard’s
Internal – the met guard is built into the inside of the
boot/shoe
External – the met guard found on the outside of the
boot/shoe
Extra Features That Soft, Safety or Met Guard Footwear May
Have
Electrical Hazard (EH) - this type of footwear protects you
from open circuits and electrocution by providing extra protection from
accidental contact with electrically energized objects. The soles of EH shoes
provide a safety barrier from open electrical currents up to 18,000 volts at
60hz for one minute without leakage.
Static Dissipative (SD) - this type of footwear absorbs and
neutralizes static electricity by absorbing loose electrons and sending them
into the floor. SD footwear regulates the accumulation of electrical charge
within your body and reduces the risk of static shock.
Slip Resisting (SR) - this type of footwear provides
traction on slick surfaces.
his post may contain affiliate links. This means I may
receive a small commission if products are purchased through them. All opinions
are honest and remain my own.
If you’re curious what the difference between men’s vs.
women’s shoe sizes is and how to convert between the two, it can be tricky to
know the exact size equivalents since all shoe brands run different. However
there is a general rule you can follow to get a pretty good idea which size
you’ll need.
In general, there is about one and a half size difference
between the men’s and women’s shoe sizes. For example, a women’s size 10 would
be a men’s 8.5, and a men’s 10 would be a women’s 11.5. However in certain
brands, there’s only a 1 size difference between the two.
CONVERT WOMEN’S TO MEN’S SHOES, QUICK GUIDE
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEN’S AND WOMEN’S SHOES?
Men’s shoes are made larger and wider than women’s shoes,
and come in larger sizes. It’s very common to find men’s shoes up to a size
16+. Women’s shoes are made smaller and narrower. It’s hard to find them beyond
a size 10 or 11.
The reason for this is just because generally speaking, men
have larger feet. (Even though that isn’t always the case!)
The exact difference of sizing will vary depending on the
brand, but in general there’s about 1.5 sizes difference between the two
departments.
Men’s size 7 roughly equivalent to a women’s 8.5
Men’s size 7.5 roughly equivalent to a women’s 9
Men’s size 8 roughly equivalent to a women’s 9.5
Men’s size 8.5 roughly equivalent to a women’s 10
Men’s size 9 roughly equivalent to a women’s 10.5
Men’s size 9.5 roughly equivalent to a women’s 11
Men’s size 10 roughly equivalent to a women’s 11.5
Men’s 10.5 roughly equivalent to a women’s 12
Men’s 11 roughly equivalent to a women’s 12.5
Men’s 11.5 roughly equivalent to a women’s 13
Men’s 12 roughly equivalent to a women’s 13.5
Men’s 12.5 roughly equivalent to a women’s 14
THIS CONVERSION RULE IS NOT ALWAYS TRUE…
You can follow the 1.5 size conversion rule from men’s to
women’s shoes to get a better idea of what size you would need. However it
should be noted that this is not universally true across brands.
For example, I wear a women’s size 13 shoes. Since it’s extremely
difficult to find that size, I sometimes just wear men’s shoes (especially when
it comes to tennis shoes).
According to the above conversion chart, I would wear a
men’s 11.5. While it usually works, sometimes I have to size up to a 12 or
12.5, just depending on the brand.
It can also depend on factors like the particular fit of the
shoe and how wide it runs. And if you look at specific shoe manufacturer’s
websites, you’ll notice that sometimes they’ll say there is only 1 size
difference between men’s and women’s footwear.
This is why it’s so important to try on many shoes and just
get a feel for how different brands and styles fit. Once you find a brand that
fits you well – whether it’s women’s or men’s – stick with it. It makes
shopping for shoes so much easier in the future and especially when it comes to
online shopping.
Read also: Where to Find Shoes for Women with Big Feet
WOMEN’S VS. MEN’S SHOE WIDTHS
In addition to being longer in length, men’s shoes are also
a full width wider than women’s. So a men’s average width would be the same as
a women’s wide width. A men’s average is commonly labeled “D” and a women’s
wide also “D”.
However it is different across brands.
Sometimes a women’s and men’s regular are both labeled “M”
for medium width. Other times women’s medium/regular width is designated by the
letter A.
WOMEN’S SHOE WIDTHS
This is pretty confusing considering the variation among
brands. The important takeaway here is that men’s shoes are a full width wider
than women’s, so always take that into consideration when converting between
sizes.
Also check out: Guide to Shoe Widths – What Do They All
Mean?!
COMPARING SHOES BETWEEN BRANDS IS EASIER
Another thing to consider is that converting women’s and
men’s shoe sizing between brands is much easier than between different brands.
For example trying to convert between New Balance and Nike
will be more difficult without trying the shoes on because their sizing runs
different. In my experience, Nike runs very small and narrow compared to other
brands. I find their men’s shoes run more closely to women’s sizing, somewhere
between 1/2 – 1 size different.
HOW TO KNOW WHICH UNISEX SHOE SIZE TO WEAR
Unisex shoes are just shoes that are sized exactly the same
for men and women. Usually they list the men’s size and corresponding women’s
size together, so you know which size to pick. If you only see one size listed,
it’s a men’s size and you’ll need to follow the size conversion or look at size
charts.
Since unisex shoes follow men’s sizing, they run wider than
women’s shoes. If you’re a women with narrower feet, you may not find these
shoes the best fit.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Because all brands and styles can fit differently, it’s
difficult to do an exact conversion between men and women’s footwear sizes.
However, knowing that there is usually a 1.5 size difference can give you a
better starting point.
Read also: Shopping Guide for Women’s Extended Shoes Size
12, 13, 14+
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