I’ve made some pretty annoying and expensive errors recently in using web based conversion charts for UK to US shoe size conversion. Is there a way I can absolutely, postively determine the correct US size (length) of a shoe by using a tape measure to measure the interior heel to toe footbed?
I’ve tried using this chart, but based on the feeback I’m getting, the size conversions are not accurate.
Well, that chart is certainly wrong, because there’s no difference between UK male and female sizes. The Wikipedia entry has an alternative one - and includes the originating formula for UK and US sizes (ie they work on a 1/3-inch gradation). However, I find the markings on UK shoes are terribly unreliable, partly I suspect due to them being a compromise somewhere between a UK size and a European one.
US sizes are 1.5 sizes bigger than UK, so a UK 10 would be a US 11.5.
This is not true. I wore either men’s 9.5 or 10 in the UK and am invariably 10.5 in the US.
This is all clarified in the Wikipedia entry I linked to 
I looked at that first. The Wikipedia entry itself gives a table and links to another site that gives different answers from those in its own table! For example, my UK 10 is a US 11 according to Wikipedia, but a US 10.5 (which matches my experience) according to this link from the Wikipedia page.
I just looked at my shoes (New Balance, mens) US 10, UK 9.5.
Is there a conversion? Seems so confusing.
Best way is to measure the foot when buying new shoes either in the US or UK.
Yeah, the Wikipedia chart is definitely wrong. It has a US Women’s size 8 1/2 equivalent to a US Men’s size 8 which is absolutely incorrect. Most women wear a man’s size that is 1 1/2 to 2 sizes below their size in women’s shoes.
Before we go any further on conversions, be aware that shoes sizes are one of the large jokes of the measurment world. There is no standard.
I am firmly convinced that when a shoe company design a new shoe, they will build a protoytpe shoe, they go over to a large wheel (like what they use on Wheel of fortune) spin the sucker and where ever it stops, that is the size of the shoe they just built. They then build more shoes to conform to that first prototype.
How else could you explain the fact that I have shoes in my closet that range from 7.5-10.5? Widths from medium (D) all the way to EEEE. Some of my 7.5 E are wider and longer than some of my 10.5EEE.
In other words you have two chances to get the correct size shoe. Slim and none.