Shoe Size Conversion Discrepancies

[Cygnus]

I have seen various sites' conversion charts from UK sizes to US sizes, but have noticed some differences.

Some sites say that a US Men's 10 is a UK Men's 9, others say it's a UK Men's 9 1/2.

I assume it's actually something in between, but am not sure.

Any advice or clarification would be most helpful.

EDIT: If this would be better in the advice section, please feel free to move it. Because it's related to shoes, I posted it here.

[Laird_M]

From my days as an outdoor pursuits saleman and as a bushcraft instructor:

UK

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

EU

38

39

40

41

42

43

44

45

46

47

US

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

NB: wide US sizes equate to UK sizes.
i.e. 8W US = 8 UK.

Hope this helps.

[CMcG]

Just to further confound the issue, my new (used) brogues are a UK size 7 and I normally wear American 9 or 9 1/2. With Doc Martens it is usually just one size smaller...

[Cygnus]

Do they fit well? Are they snug? I only ask in case something irresistible comes up for auction online. I suppose I will just need to bite the bullet and purchase the shoes new from a vendor that is willing to do exchanges.

[CMcG]

My UK 7 brogues fit perfectly with kilt hose but are a little loose with regular socks. I'm still puzzled by that... there are a bunch of other numbers, so maybe 7 isn't the size. They say

"09413 327
9
7 FITTING K5641/9"

My UK 9 Doc Martens fit very loose but I put insoles into them and now they're snug. To wear them with kilt hose, I need to tie the laces much looser but they still fit.

Sorry that I can't be much help but I'm confused too!

[gary meakin]

My advice would be never buy a pair of shoes without trying them on first.
Obviously with on-line buying that can't always be done, so I would contact the seller and see what they use for a conversion chart.

[sydnie7]

Just as with clothing sizes, shoe sizes WILL differ from mfg to mfg and sometimes within a single mfg's line. Add to that a conversion from one measuring system to another (US to UK) and the "tolerance stack" is even greater. Then there's the "how much extra room do you need for kilt hose?" issue. Be prepared to exchange or, if you're rolling the dice on an eBay deal or similar, be prepared to offer them here as "marked this size but didn't fit me. . ."

I've given up buying shoes online except for those vendors that offer free shipping both ways and easy returns.