How to find your shoes size?

Properly fitting shoes are one of the key elements that keep you safe during many trips. When walking on mountain trails, it is extremely important to keep your foot stable enough to reduce the risk of injury or fracture. During your daily outings, you also don't like walking in ill-fitting shoes that cause abrasions and blisters. More than once you've bought shoes online or picked them out in a store without measuring, after all, you know your size. The problem arises when your shoes turn out to be the wrong size. You often come across different sizes, making your dream shoes uncomfortable. From this article you will learn what are shoe sizes, how EU, UK and US sizes differ. We will tell you how to choose a shoe size when buying online, how to measure your foot for a shoe and give you practical tips during measurements.

Types of shoe sizes

Despite having the same size on the label, shoes may not fit your foot. The sizes given often differ in reality. When you buy shoes in a stationary store, all you have to do is find the size you are interested in and try them on. When shopping online, however, you don't have this option and a problem arises.

The most common types of shoe sizes in Poland are European, English and American.

European (EU) sizing is the most common size system in Poland, both in stationary and online stores. In European sizing, shoe numbers are determined by a two-digit number, which has been assigned to the length of the foot in centimeters. For example, a women's shoe number of 38 will customarily refer to the 24 cm length of the insole in the shoe. Women's shoe sizes in the European system range from size 35 to size 42, while men's shoe sizes range from 39-50.

The size used by the British is referred to by the symbol UK. This is an abbreviation for the English name United Kingdom (although the full name is United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland). The British use a different system of measurement, so shoe sizes are not given in centimeters, but in inches (inch). In order to facilitate the purchase of shoes coming from the UK, a measurement conversion can be used. 1 inch corresponds equally to 2,54 centimeters. In the English system, the sizing for women's footwear is from 2,5 to 8 inches. Men's shoes can be found under sizes from 5,5 to 15,5 inches.

In the United States of America, shoe sizes are indicated under the abbreviation US. As with the UK, the symbol comes from the abbreviation of the country's name, United States (the full name is United States of America). American sizing is the Brannock system (named after the author Charles Brannock). US shoe sizes, like UK, are given in inches, but these sizes differ in the ranges used. If you are looking for women's shoes, you should follow the numbers from 5 to 9,5 inches. For men, numbers in the range of 6,5-10 inches will be appropriate.

Another type of shoe sizing system is mondopoint. Originally used for fitting ski boots, but over time it has become universal. You calculate mondopoint using measurements of the length and width of the foot in millimeters. To calculate mondopoint, you can use the methods we suggest below.

When choosing shoes, always follow the description of shoe sizes, which can be found in the description of a particular model. This is important because shoe sizes varies depending on the manufacturer.

How to choose your shoe size when buying online?

Do you know your shoe size, and yet the shoes purchased from an online store are too small or too big? Many people have encountered a similar case, but there is a way to avoid this. Any shoe size can be converted into centimeters. Choosing an insole that matches the length of your foot will give you confidence that you are buying the right shoes. The insole length is a universal shoe size. Every shoe store should provide shoe size charts to which we can match the insole length.

How to measure the foot for a shoe?

The length of the shoe insole is determined by the length of our foot. There are several ways to measure it:

Insole measurement

The easiest way is to find your most comfortable pair of shoes. If you already have shoes in the perfect size, you should pull out the insole and measure its length. However, sometimes it happens that you do not own such a pair, in such a situation we have clever tips.

Measure your foot against the wall

For the first one you only need a wall and a tape measure. You should stand against the wall and press your heel against it. The tape measure should be put against the heel and measure the length of the foot. With this method you may need the help of another person.

Measure from the foot contour

In a situation where you don't have anyone available, you can use another method. Trace the shape of your foot on a piece of paper, then use a tape measure or ruler to measure your outline, from heel to toe. Using any of the above methods will give you a universal shoe size.

If you are still in doubt about how to measure your foot then use our video tutorial. We have prepared a tutorial to help you measure the length of your foot.

Practical tips useful when measuring and choosing shoes

When measuring your foot and choosing shoes, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• You should reserve your foot length measurement for the afternoon. As the day progresses, your body loses reserves of energy accumulated during rest. Your feet also get tired and may swell. That's why it's important to measure your foot length a few hours after waking up.

• Remember that your feet do not have to be equal. So it is a good idea to measure the lengths of both feet. If the measurements differ, always go with the longer length.

• Choose running shoes or trekking boots whose insole length is 0,5 to 1 cm longer than the length of your foot. When walking or exercising for long periods of time, it's extremely important that you don't suddenly start to feel discomfort. On the trail, after all, you don't have the opportunity to change shoes.

• Choose shoes for everyday use with an insole length that is 0,5 cm longer than your insole. During short daily walks, your feet also get tired, but with less intensity, so it's a good idea to make sure you have half a centimeter of space in your shoe. The question asked by mom about "toe space" should always ring in your mind when choosing shoes.

• It is also worth remembering not to be guided only by the brand and price of the chosen model of shoes. The most important thing is our comfort.

Shoe size charts

Below are women's footwear size chart and men's footwear size chart.

The women's shoe size chart may differ from the men's shoe size chart. The most important part of any shoe size chart is the comparison of different size systems. Using such a looking size chart will provide for a practical size conversion from US to EU or UK to EU.

Check the offer Militaria.pl

In our store you will find a wide selection of military boots. We also offer trekking and sports footwear. Amateurs of mushroom picking and anglers will find a large selection of wellingtons and waders. We also have sandals and flip-flops for slightly less demanding summer walks. Shoes in our assortment are made of leather or cotton canvas, among other materials. For trips in the autumn plague and snowy winters, we recommend equipping yourself with boots with a membrane.

You will find boots from leading manufacturers such as Bates, Keen, Protektor, Pentagon, Columbia, First Tactical, Under Armour, Zephyr or Texar.

What to do in the case of ill-fitting shoes?

It is worth knowing that if the shoes you ordered are the wrong size, you have the right to return the unused goods within 30 days. You can take advantage of a quick and hassle-free return by filling out a special form. In addition, being a member of our Key Customer Club (KSK), you can take advantage of the option of unlimited returns.