Quick question. If my wife’s shoe size is a 7.5 in woman’s shoes, what would be her size for a man’s shoe? I want to get her this shoe: http://www.nbwebexpress.com/newbalanceM574ISS.htm I think she’ll like the black on black color, but black on black only comes in a man’s style. I figure I could buy a smaller size in men’s and no problem. Will this work?
You’ll probably have to take a foot tracing (or a tennis shoe you know fits her) to a men’s department to verify the shoe size to be certain. I wear an 8 1/2 to 9 wide in women’s shoes, I got a pair of size 7 men’s work boots for hiking. YMMV.
The usual shoe size drop is 1 to 1.5 size(s) to adjust between a woman’s and man’s shoe size so 6 to 6.5 is her probable men’s size. Men’s shoes also tend to run a bit wider for a given size than women’s, a men’s medium width might be a woman’s med-wide. Women also sometimes have slightly different sole “last” topography than men. For something like a mountain boot this might be important, but for a flexible running shoe it’s unlikely to matter.
My last suggestion is not to buy shoes for women even if you think they’ll like them. I’m serious, I speak from experience. People generally & women especially often have very specific ideas about acceptable looking footwear.
See
International Shoe Size Conversion Charts/Converter Tables for Shoes Sizes.
I wear an 8.5-9 in women’s and about a 7-7.5 in men’s. Your wife will most likely have to wear a boy’s shoe. I believe men’s shoes only go down to 7 correct?
She will probably be wearing a size 5.5 to 6 in boys.
Former running shoe salesperson.
If she will be using this for extended running or sports, I would advise against it. If you do I suggest getting insoles to increase the ‘snug’ factor as men’s shoes are cut wider than women’s.
That aside take Zabali_Clawbane’s advice.