Shoe size

Measurement of the shoe size of recruits in the Afghan army

The shoe size is the size of a shoe or foot . It is usually limited to the length expressed with a number, since shoes are usually only made in one width.

There are several different shoe size systems that exist side by side and that have evolved over time, some with a national focus. They differ in the reference value, the unit of measurement or the zero point on the scale. Only some of the systems include the foot width as well as the foot length, so that non-standardized, manufacturer-specific names are often used for this.

history

In order to offer the feet thermal and mechanical protection, in most modern cultures footwear through shoes has established itself as a natural part of overall clothing. They have to fit well so that the feet are not sick and not additionally restricted in their functionality and performance (every shoe is per se a certain limitation). Since the beginning of industrial shoe production, in which shoes are produced in stock for later sale, shoes have been produced on differently shaped lasts and in different sizes in order to ensure that the future buyer will find a pair of shoes that best fit his feet. To make it easier for customers to find a suitable pair, the shoe sizes were introduced.

Dimensions requirements

With the diverse shapes and sizes of normal feet, shoes of different shapes and sizes are required. The required dimensions and shapes are based on the foot for which the shoe is made.

Foot length

Too short sandals and hammer toes such as those caused by shoes that are too short

The length of the foot is the most commonly used measure to determine shoe size. Because the foot at the step settlement at the moment of rolling moves forward, the inner length of the sole in the shoe is to be dimensioned so that in addition to the pure sole length, a certain free space in front of the toes gives: This addition, the technical term, is about 15 millimeters, and must be taken into account when choosing the right shoe length, but it depends heavily on the shoe shape and heel height . The length of free space actually required, in order to guarantee the toes the necessary vertical space, can be longer than with a high toe cap, for example due to a toe cap that becomes flatter towards the tip of the shoe. The same applies to pointed shoes, which must be correspondingly longer so that the toes do not have to force themselves into the horizontally tapered toe of the shoe, which in the long term leads to health problems such as hallux valgus and consequently to impaired movement.

Foot width

Feet of approximately the same length can show very different widths and shapes in different people (left square, right Egyptian shape).

In addition to the foot length, the foot width in the form of the ball size is increasingly being taken into account. For this purpose, the circumference of the foot is measured at its widest point, the ball line (imaginary line between the balls of the big and small toes). Several screening tests show that five different shoe widths are required to supply the population with mostly fitting footwear. In the case of children's shoes that are manufactured taking the WMS system into account, this is made possible with three basic widths, as well as by inserting or removing an insert in the edge widths; this results in a total of five widths. With the exception of a few brands in the usual price and quality segment of shoes, this is not guaranteed for shoes for adults. So-called comfort shoes or health shoes are exceptions, as they are generally offered in different widths; the same applies to many men's shoes in the upper price and quality class.

The shoe width is very important for the fit , the wearing comfort, the durability of the shoes and the foot health of the wearer. Since the foot changes in volume during the day just as a result of the strain (the feet are larger in the evening than in the morning), in addition to a shoe width that fits as well as possible from the outset, the upper material is particularly important. Leather is still the most suitable material for this because it expands together with the foot during the day due to the warmth and moisture of the feet, and after a day of rest during which it dries and retracts to its original shape, it returns to its original dimensions. That is why wearing breaks and shoe trees are essential to maintain the correct width for leather shoes. In running shoes that have a synthetic, non-stretchable upper material, elastic crumple zones are built into the ball area on the left and right of some models to give the foot latitude.

If the shoes are too wide from the time they are bought or if they are worn all the time without giving the leather upper the opportunity to reset, the foot slips forward. As a result, the heel lifts out of the shoe and the toes hit. The shoe shows strong creases, wears out faster and additional friction reduces the wearing comfort. Often shoes that are too wide are bought too short, but this only shifts the problem and promotes the formation of claw and hammer toes. If, on the other hand, the shoe width is too narrow, the shoe will be stepped on quickly, its durability shortened and the metatarsophalangeal joints constantly pressed together. A suitable shoe width keeps the foot firmly in the shoe at its widest point, in the area of the ball of the foot, without noticeably narrowing it.

Foot width

Shoes that are too narrow can cause the big toe to be misaligned ( hallux valgus ).

Another measure to determine the shoe size is the width of the foot, measured at the widest point. This dimension is used, for example, in the Mondopoint system instead of the ball dimension.

The width of the foot and the size of the ball of the foot are interdependent: As a typical approximation, the circumference of the ball of the foot can be taken as 2.7 times the width. Ultimately, however, the foot width and ball size cannot be converted into each other. Rather, the shape of the foot and in particular the height of the instep are decisive for this. For example, a wide foot with a flat instep can have the same ball circumference as a narrow foot with a high instep. If a shoe of the same width were offered to both feet, it cannot possibly fit both feet equally well. Since footwear from a basic size of starting up and scaled down ( graded ) are the underlying tables are crucial that indicate how large the respective millimeter jumps of shoe size to shoe size are, and whether the shoe length also increasing shoe length and width with the actual Conditions of the feet. The manufacturers use different tables as a guide, so that a shoe model of a certain length and width can be wider and flatter with one manufacturer, narrower and higher with another.

Only a combination of ball size and width would allow the various cross-sectional shapes to be adequately taken into account.

Foot shape

Greek foot shape

In addition to the dimensions, the shape of the foot is also decisive for whether a shoe fits. This fact is not taken into account in almost any shoe size system. According to the toe formation, a distinction is made between the Egyptian, the square and the Greek foot shape (in which the second toe is the longest).

Determination of the shoe size

Different systems are used to derive the shoe size from the measurements of the foot. In the case of length in particular, these refer to different sizes, use different units of measurement and zero points. These differences make it difficult to compare and convert shoe sizes from different systems in your head.

Reference value: foot, shoe or last

The following dimensions in particular are used to determine the length.

The mean length of the feet (length of the sole of the foot) that the shoe fits is easiest to compare with body measurements. However, the manufacturer must ensure that the finished product actually fits feet of the specified length. He must determine the appropriate addition depending on the shoe type and label the shoe accordingly.
The inner length of the shoe can easily be measured on the finished product, but only allows a rough estimate of which feet the shoe will fit. Depending on the type of shoe, the interior space must be 10 to 20 mm longer than the foot, so that different shoe sizes result.
The length of the last used to make the shoe is the easiest for the manufacturer to determine. However, it allows only limited conclusions to be drawn about the inner length of the finished shoe or the length of the feet which the shoe fits. These depend on the material used, the shape of the last and the way in which the length of the last is measured. In addition to the underside (“inguinal sole”), the length parallel to the imaginary ground or the length of the lying last can be measured.

These different measurement methods mean that despite exact knowledge of the shoe size systems, their respective zero points and correct conversion factors, shoes with the specified same shoe size actually have different lengths (and widths).

Unit of measurement

The shoe sizing systems also differ in which units of measure are used. This also results in different step sizes, since usually only “whole” or “half” sizes are produced.

A Paris stitch has a length of ² ⁄ ₃ cm = 6, 6 mm. As a rule, no intermediate sizes are produced, so the size gradation is 6.67 mm. This unit of measurement is used in continental Europe.
The British unit Barleycorn (engl. Barley grain ) has a length of ¹ / ₃ inches = 8.4 6 mm. Half sizes are usually made, so the gradation is 4.23mm. This unit of measurement is the basis of the UK and US systems.
In addition, metric information in cm or mm is also used. As a rule, a gradation of 5 mm is used, which is between that of the continental European and British systems. This is the case , for example, with the Mondopoint system or in Japan.

Due to the different units of measurement, when converting between different size systems, rounding errors and unusual sizes such as " 47 ² ⁄ ₃  " are inevitable .

Zero point

The shoe size systems also differ in where the zero point is set.

If the zero point is at foot length 0 , the shoe size corresponds to the foot length in the selected unit of measurement. The sizes of children's, men's and women's shoes can therefore be compared directly with one another, as well as the sizes of different shoe types. This zero point is particularly useful if the reference value is the length of the foot, as is the case with the Mondopoint system or in Japan.
In addition, the zero point can also be set with an inside length of 0 . The shoe size then corresponds to the inside length in the selected unit of measurement. This is useful if the inside length is also measured. This is the case, for example, with the continental European system. While the sizes of children's, men's and women's shoes are comparable, this does not necessarily apply to the sizes of different types of shoes.
Another method is to assign size 0 or 1 to a shoe with a given length, namely the smallest length considered practical . Different zero points can be selected for children's, youth, men's and women's shoes; in this case the shoe sizes are not directly comparable. This is the case, for example, with the UK and US systems; a US size 8 women's shoe has a different length than a US size 8 men's shoe.

The different zero points, which also relate to different reference values, result in further problems when converting shoe sizes. For example, English size and American size differ by one twelfth of an inch, i.e. 2.12 mm. The shoe size UK 9 ( english size ) corresponds to US 9 ¹ ⁄ ₄ ( american size ). This fact is ignored by many shoe manufacturers, so that self-defined size conversions by individual manufacturers artificially increase the situation of system diversity and often make a direct comparison of the sizes of different manufacturers impossible. For example, instead of the actual difference between the two systems of ¹ ⁄ ₁₂ inches, some manufacturers calculate with half a size ( ² ⁄ ₁₂ inches), while others use a whole size as the difference between American and English sizes. Only a minority expect a ¹ ⁄ ₁₂ inch difference in size .

Foot width or width

There are also some systems that take into account the width or width of the foot.

The measured foot width is simply given in mm. This is the case , for example, with the Mondopoint system.
The measured foot width or the ball size is assigned to an identification letter that is taken from a table depending on the length (or length size). The same code letter therefore corresponds to different dimensions for different shoe lengths. Examples of such information are:

A, B, C, D, E, EE, EEE, EEEE, F, G as they are common in Asia
4A, 3A, 2A, A, B, C, D, E, 2E, 3E, 4E, 5E, 6E as measured by the Brannock device for US sizes
N ( narrow ), M ( medium ) or R ( regular ), W ( wide )
W (wide), M (medium), S (narrow)
Size classes common in Europe start with E and go up to M.

Normal width:

E ... narrow feet

F ... slim feet

Comfort width:

G… normal feet

Comfortable width:

H ... strong feet

J ... feet with oversize

Special width:

K… feet that are oversized

L ... bandaged feet

M… feet with extra oversize

If the width is specified, the specification usually follows the numerical specification for the length.

Common size systems

Mondopoint

Mondopoint is an internationally standardized system for specifying shoe sizes. The current version is described in ISO 9407: 2019. Unlike most other systems, not only the foot length but also the width is taken into account.

The size corresponds to the dimensions of the foot in length and width and is given in millimeters . The shoe size of 280/110, for example, corresponds to a foot length of 280 mm and a foot width of 110 mm. By using the foot measurement and taking into account the foot width, Mondopoint allows a reliable indication of the accuracy of fit. That is why it is used, for example, by NATO and the Bundeswehr .

European size (EU / D / F / I)

The continental European system (German, Italian, French system) indicates the inside or the last length in Parisian stitch ( ² ⁄ ₃ cm = 6, 6 mm).

The shoe size results as follows:

Shoe size (EU) = inside length in cm × 1.5

In relation to the foot length, an allowance of approx. 15 mm must first be added:

Shoe size (EU) ≈ ( foot length in cm + 1.5) × 1.5

Since the system is not standardized, the sizes given by different manufacturers and shoe types often differ from one another. Both different additions and different reference sizes (last length instead of inner length), sometimes also different increments between the sizes (for example 5 mm instead of 6.67 mm) are used. Occasionally, even the size specifications differ for countries that both use the continental European system (for example, France and Germany).

British size (UK)

The British or English system indicates the length of the last in barleycorns ( ¹ ⁄ ₃ ″ = 8.4 6 mm) and is also not standardized. The scale starts with the smallest practicable size of 12 barleycorns = 101.6 mm with child size 0; the child size 13 ¹ ⁄ ₂ is followed by the adult size 1 (26 barleycorns = 22.0 cm).

The shoe size is determined as follows.

Child size (UK) = last length in inches × 3 - 12

Child size (UK) = last length in cm ÷ 2.54 × 3 - 12

Adult size (UK) = last length in inches × 3 - 25

Adult size (UK) = last length in cm ÷ 2.54 × 3 - 25

American size (US)

The situation is particularly confusing in the USA, where different systems are or have been used that also use separate scales for children's, men's and women's shoes. Although the scales are all based on the barleycorn unit, they are based on different zero points so that they are shifted from one another. More recently, the Brannock system of size specifications seem to have gained acceptance.

Traditionally

The traditional American system gives the last length like the UK system in barleycorns ( ¹ ⁄ ₃ ″ = 8.4 6 mm), but the scale starts at 11 ³ ⁄ ₄ barley corns (3 ¹¹ ⁄ ₁₂ ″ = 99.48 3 mm) ) with child size 0, which corresponds to European shoe size 15 (100 mm). As in the UK system, adult sizes began with size 1 after child size 13, so that US sizes were generally a quarter size ( ¹¹ ⁄ ₁₂ ″) below English.

Child size (US) = last length in inches × 3 - 11 ³ ⁄ ₄

Adult size (US) = last length in inches × 3 - 24 ³ ⁄ ₄

Brannock system

Drawing of a Brannock device (from U.S. Patent 1,724,244)

A more precise method for determining US sizes is based on a measuring device from shoe seller Charles Brannock , the Brannock Device , with which the foot length and width are measured. A foot length of 7 ² ⁄ ₃ inches is assigned the men's size 1 or the women's size 2. Adding 1.5 or 2 barleycorns ( ¹ ⁄ ₂ "= 12.7 mm or ² ⁄ ₃ " = 16.9 mm) results in 8 ¹ ⁄ ₆ "(207.4 mm) or 8 ¹ ⁄ ₃ " (211.7 mm) for the last length. This means that the men's sizes according to Brannock are one and a half or one size above the UK sizes. Today an encore of 2 barleycorns is usually expected:

Men's size (US) = foot length in inches × 3-22

Men's size (US) = foot length in cm ÷ 2.54 × 3 - 22

Women's size (US) = foot length in inches × 3-21

Women's size (US) = foot length in cm ÷ 2.54 × 3 - 21

For children's sizes, an additional allowance is added to take into account the growth of the feet. Ultimately, the traditional scale is also used in the Brannock system and the following applies:

Child size (US) = foot length in inches × 3 - 9 ³ ⁄ ₄ .

In addition to the length of the sole of the foot, the length between the heel and the widest part of the foot is also measured. Another, shorter scale is attached to the device for this purpose. If the device shows a larger size here, this is used instead of the foot length.

In addition, the width is measured and indicated with the letters AAA, AA, A, B, C, D, E, EE, and EEE. The widths are ³ ⁄ ₁₆ inches apart, but vary in width depending on the shoe size. Width D is considered normal, is exactly 3 inches (76.2 mm) in men's size 2 and increases by ¹ ⁄ ₈ inches (3.175 mm) with each full size .

Asia

The Asian system is metric and standardized, for example, in JIS S 5037: 1998 ( Japan ), CNS 4800, S 1093 ( Taiwan ) or KS M 6681 ( South Korea ). Foot length and foot circumference are taken into account. The foot length is given in centimeters , with a gradation of 5 mm being used.

This is followed by code letters for the bale size (A, B, C, D, E, EE, EEE, EEEE, F, G); For this purpose, the circumference is measured at the widest point and the code letter is taken from a table depending on the length of the foot, whereby different tables are used for men's shoes, women's shoes and children's shoes (under twelve years of age). The corresponding foot width can also be taken from the tables. Depending on the country and gender, not all widths are used, for example the foot widths for women's shoes go up to EEEE according to the Taiwanese standard, and up to F according to the Japanese standard. The smallest and largest sizes also differ depending on the table.

In Japan, a manufacturer combines this system with an indication of the foot width with the code letters N ( narrow ), M ( medium ) and W ( wide ) in order to take into account different clamping heights - and thus different ratios between foot width and circumference.

Conversion tables and sizes specified by the manufacturer

When using the conversion table , it should be noted that the dimensions are theoretically calculated. The many shoe size systems that exist side by side only permit direct comparisons (conversions) to a limited extent, as the systems are often only partially standardized. For this reason, only conditionally usable statements regarding the expected actual shoe size or fit can be derived from this when buying shoes.

Deviations from the manufacturer's information or other tables arise in particular from the following circumstances.

The systems are only partially standardized. Deviations that result from different measurement methods, manufacturing processes and tolerances at different manufacturers are sometimes assigned to individual countries. A "German" size can then apparently differ from a "French" one.
Different shoe widths mean that with wide feet, a shoe that is several sizes larger and actually too long is required in order to achieve the required width. This can also lead to different sizes, especially if different average widths are assigned to different countries or systems.
Some tables already take into account an additional leeway for the growth of the feet for children's sizes. The shoe size is then indicated larger than it corresponds to the actual foot length.
An indication in cm (or inches) can refer to the length of the foot as well as to the length of the insole. This relationship is not constant, but varies due to different additions depending on the shoe type.
There are several common US systems that differ greatly, especially for non-medium shoe sizes. Some manufacturers also use their own system.
Some tables and information from certain manufacturers available on the Internet also contain simple errors. For example, the addition is not taken into account or is incorrectly taken into account, or different tables are combined, the centimeter or US figures of which refer to different reference values or systems.

Sports shoes, in particular, are often much smaller than the specified sizes suggest. For example, Nike recommends a shoe in size Euro 43 and US 9.5 using the Brannock scale for a 10.5 inch (= 26.67 cm) long foot and equates this with UK 8.5 and 27.5 cm. For the European size, Nike calculates quite generously with an addition of 2 cm. European, US and UK sizes match very well, so the last length should be 28.4 or 28.7 cm. It is unclear what the cm specification refers to. In fact, a Nike Tiempo Mystic TF in the said size has an inner length of 27.0 cm, the outer sole length is 28.5 cm. The shoe corresponds to Euro 40.5 and UK 6.9 and is at least 1 cm too short for the foot for which Nike recommends it, blisters and chafing of the toe tips would be inevitable.

Children sizes

Children's feet grow an average of 2 to 3 European shoe sizes per year (depending on age). The feet of children are of different widths and heights while being the same length. A measure of this is the width, measured over the ball points around the foot. Children's feet require a suitable width of the shoes. The interior of the shoe must have at least the length of the dynamically loaded foot. As children's feet grow, there is also a growth reserve. An example: A child's foot with a length of 185 mm needs a shoe with about 15 mm of clearance. The necessary inner length of 200 mm corresponds to EU shoe size 30.

Adult sizes

There are always deviations up and down between the various manufacturers. There are also many different tables, some with unofficial intermediate values. The conversion tools on the Internet therefore often provide different and incorrect values. The following table is based on the above. Calculated formulas:

Sample sizes and the shoe lengths often sold

Since there has been a lack of current statistical surveys on foot measurements (lengths, circumferences, shapes, proportions) in the last few decades and the existing data to which the industry refers has long been out of date, the sample sizes used by the shoe industry (size 37 for women and 43 for men) from the most popular shoe lengths (women's size 39 and 44 for men). However, a large-scale study from 2009 found that most Germans wear oversized shoes. In Germany, shoe size 42 (19%) is the most common for men, 38 and 39 for women (22% each).

Actual foot measurements of the population

The first large-scale screening in 60 years, completed in 2010 by the Pirmasens Testing and Research Institute (PFI) on 5,200 men and women in Germany, produced unexpected results. The spread of foot widths, lengths and shapes is much greater than expected. The two widths of one and the same shoe model of the same length, which up to now have been occasionally found in shoes at normal retail prices, are only suitable for around 17 percent of the shoe wearers. In order to do justice to the actually existing diversity, it would have to be expanded to 18 different widths. Each new width requires five-digit investment sums and 18 widths do not allow the shoe trade to stock up on the usual stock. After all, 60 percent of customers would already be served by four different widths with matching shoes.

The measurement of 20,000 children's feet, carried out by the University of Potsdam, shows that children's feet have become wider over the past few decades. The WMS system was then expanded from five to seven widths.

literature

Alexander Besching: Handbook for the shoe industry. 14th edition. Hüthig, Heidelberg 1990, ISBN 3-7785-1916-6 .
Anne Sudrow: The Shoe in National Socialism. A product story in a German-British-American comparison. Wallstein, Göttingen 2010, ISBN 978-3-8353-0793-3 (abridged version of the dissertation University of Munich 2009, 876 pages).
Deutsches Schuh-Institut: How do I find the right shoe? German Shoe Institute, Offenbach am Main 2009, ISBN 978-3-00-031523-7 .

Web links

Individual evidence

↑ Alexander Besching: Handbook for the shoe industry. 14th edition. Hüthig, Heidelberg 1990, pp. 167, 216 f.
↑ ^a ^b Andersson, Bendt: Recommendations to suppliers and manufacturers of orthopedic footwear concerning sizes of shoes and lasts. (PDF; 358 kB) Retrieved January 6, 2009 (English).
↑ Calculation of the foot width at Vamos-Schuhe.de
↑ Determination of the size classes at Baur.de ( page no longer available , search in web archives ) Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.@1@ 2Template: Toter Link / www.baur.de
↑ ISO 9407: 2019
↑ ^a ^b ^c Alexander Besching: Handbook for the shoe industry. 14th edition. Hüthig, Heidelberg 1990, p. 170.
^ ^A ^b Brannock Device Co .: History. Retrieved January 6, 2009 .
↑ ^a ^b ^c Brannock Device Co .: Instructions. Retrieved January 6, 2009 .
↑ 【楽天市場】靴のサイズ表示について：博多よかもん屋 ( Memento from February 24, 2012 in the Internet Archive )
↑ http://www.ginza-yoshinoya.co.jp/featuring/ashigata/top.html ( Memento from March 16, 2005 in the Internet Archive )
↑ http://help-us.nike.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/16372/session/L3RpbWUvMTM0MDM4MTc1NC9zaWQvWHB4ZnJqX2s%3D http://store.nike.com/emeastore/plugins/help/html/Sizing_mens_f
↑ Which requirements must a children's shoe meet according to WMS . Technical information on WMS. Retrieved January 3, 2012.
↑ ^a ^b How do I find the right shoe? German Shoe Institute 2009.
↑ ^a ^b The West (WAZ)

[1] Alexander Besching: Handbook for the shoe industry. 14th edition. Hüthig, Heidelberg 1990, pp. 167, 216 f.

[orthopedic-2] Andersson, Bendt: Recommendations to suppliers and manufacturers of orthopedic footwear concerning sizes of shoes and lasts. (PDF; 358 kB) Retrieved January 6, 2009 (English).

[3] Calculation of the foot width at Vamos-Schuhe.de

[4] Determination of the size classes at Baur.de ( page no longer available , search in web archives ) Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.@1@ 2Template: Toter Link / www.baur.de

[5] ISO 9407: 2019

[Besching170-6] Alexander Besching: Handbook for the shoe industry. 14th edition. Hüthig, Heidelberg 1990, p. 170.

[brannock-7] A ^b Brannock Device Co .: History. Retrieved January 6, 2009 .

[brannock2-8] Brannock Device Co .: Instructions. Retrieved January 6, 2009 .

[japan-9] 【楽天市場】靴のサイズ表示について：博多よかもん屋 ( Memento from February 24, 2012 in the Internet Archive )

[10] ttp://www.ginza-yoshinoya.co.jp/featuring/ashigata/top.html ( Memento from March 16, 2005 in the Internet Archive )

[11] ttp://help-us.nike.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/16372/session/L3RpbWUvMTM0MDM4MTc1NC9zaWQvWHB4ZnJqX2s%3D http://store.nike.com/emeastore/plugins/help/html/Sizing_mens_f

[12] Which requirements must a children's shoe meet according to WMS . Technical information on WMS. Retrieved January 3, 2012.

[passenden_Schuh-13] How do I find the right shoe? German Shoe Institute 2009.

[derwesten1-14] The West (WAZ)