Every day online shopping is becoming more and more popular. This is especially true of foreign online stores, where prices are not so high even with delivery, and the quality of goods is often much higher than domestic counterparts. However, many users are still afraid to purchase shoes in this way. This is due to the difference in the accepted measurement systems in different countries, it is quite easy to make a mistake with the size here. Not every person knows, for example, how to translate Chinese shoe size into Russian, and yet this manufacturing country occupies a leading position in the world market.
Measuring systems of different countries
In Russia, the metric system of measurement has been adopted, which complies with ISO 3355–77 (international standard). This is very convenient, as you can determine your personal size with simple steps, without leaving your home and without making adjustments for the shape of the shoe last.
The French (European) system is called shtichmass, since a special unit is taken as the basis for measurement - shtich,equal to 2/3 of a centimeter, which is approximately 6.7 mm. To determine the size of shoes according to the French system, you need to measure the length of the insole (not the foot) in stitches. Chinese shoe sizes are determined in the same way as European ones.
No less interesting is the English system, where measurements are made in inches (1 inch equals 2.54 cm). In this system, the size zero is taken to be the size of the foot of a newborn child, which is approximately equal to 4 inches. For each next number, 1/3 inch is added until the thirteenth size is dialed (0, 1/3, 2/3, 1, 1 and 1/3 … 13). This is where children's sizes end and adults begin, again from 1 to 13.
The US sizing system is quite similar to the English sizing system, but it's moved slightly further towards zero by 2.1 mm (about 1/12 inch).
Chinese shoe sizes, on the one hand, are very similar to European ones, but on the other hand, for some reason they always turn out to be small, and even if you correctly determined the number of your shoes according to the table, no one can guarantee that you will get what you want.
Measure the length of the foot yourself
So, what do you need to do to find out the size (metric) of your foot:
- take a regular sheet of paper and a pencil;
- put the paper on the floor and step on it with your foot, stand straight, do not squat or bend your knees, otherwise the measurements will be incorrect;
- transfer the weight of the whole body to the supporting leg;
- trace the outline of the foot, pressing the pencil firmly against the leg and leaving no room forallowances;
- using a ruler, measure the distance from the edge of the thumb to the heel in the most protruding places;
Repeat the above manipulations at least 3 times and accept as correct the result that was repeated at least 2 times. If circling your foot without crouching proves to be difficult for you, you can use the "help a friend" option.
How to determine the fullness of the leg
Another parameter for the correct selection of shoes is the fullness of the foot (width). This criterion is not often indicated by manufacturers, since traditional shoes for daily wear are quite soft and stretch (trample) over time. This parameter is of particular importance when buying hard shoes, such as ski boots or skates.
Chinese shoe sizes very rarely have information about fullness, but practice shows that the vast majority of models made in China are designed for a rather narrow foot. If you are the owner of a fairly full foot, buy shoes with laces or Velcro, this will allow you to adjust the width of the model.
In the Russian Federation, to indicate the width (fullness) of both men's and women's shoes, numbering from 1 to 12 (4 mm interval) is adopted, the European gradation assumes values from 1 to 8 with an interval of 5 mm, and the USA and Great Britain prefer letters from A to F every 5 mm.
To correctly determine the completeness of yourfoot, you will have to turn to measurements again: take a centimeter tape and measure in millimeters the circumference of the foot in its widest part (where the little finger begins to grow or the “bone” of the thumb sticks out). Next, you will need the following formula:
P=0, 25Ob - 0.15Dl - A, where P is the desired completeness; About - the girth of your foot in mm; Dl - foot length in mm; A - a certain constant coefficient (for women - 16, for men - 17).
The result must be rounded up to an integer, observing the rules of mathematics: up to 5 mm - down, more than 5 mm - up.
Some Features
To correctly determine the metric size of your foot, you need to know some subtleties:
- try to take measurements in the evening, because during the day the legs get tired, "trample" and swell - the size becomes slightly larger;
- be sure to wear a thin sock, because it is unlikely that you will wear new shoes on "bare feet", but do not overdo it - too thick a sock can distort the measurement results in a big way;
- Chinese shoe sizes, like European shoe sizes, are calculated based on the length of the insole, so when you begin to outline the outline, hold the pencil strictly perpendicular, otherwise the measurements will be incorrect.
As you know, a person is not symmetrical, this can be easily confirmed by looking at your nails. On one hand, usually the left, the nail plates are larger than on the other. The same thing happens with all paired organs - ears, eyes, palms and, of course, feet, so measurementsshould be carried out on both legs, the larger result will be correct.
Kids shoes
If everything is more or less clear with adult sizes, then you will have to tinker with children's shoes, especially when the sizes are Chinese. You can find an incredible amount of children's shoes on the shelves of retail outlets, and even more so in online stores.
It is very difficult for a child, especially a small one, to describe his feelings after trying on - whether his shoes are pressed or not, and even more difficult to convince the baby to “move his leg forward” - he simply does not understand what his mother wants from him. So here, more than ever, a table of Chinese shoe sizes will come in handy - it's best, of course, to print one and carry it with you - suddenly it will come in handy.
Foot length |
Russia (size) |
Europe (size) |
China (size) |
| 10, 5 | 17 | 17 | 10, 5 |
| 11 | 18 | 18 | 11 |
| 11, 5 | 19 | 19 | 11, 5 |
| 12 | 19, 5 | 20 | 12 |
| 12, 5 | 20 | 21 | 12, 5 |
| 13 | 21 | 22 | 13 |
| 13, 5 | 22 | 22 | 13, 5 |
| 14 | 22, 5 | 23 | 14 |
| 14, 5 | 23 | 23 | 14, 5 |
| 15 | 24 | 24 | 15 |
| 15, 5 | 25 | 24 | 15, 5 |
| 16 | 25, 5 | 25 | 16 |
| 16, 5 | 26 | 25 | 16, 5 |
| 17 | 27 | 26 | 17 |
| 17, 5 | 28 | 26 | 17, 5 |
| 18 | 28, 5 | 27 | 18 |
| 18, 5 | 29 | 27 | 18, 5 |
| 19 | 30 | 28 | 19 |
| 19, 5 | 31 | 29 | 19, 5 |
| 20 | 31, 5 | 30 | 20 |
It is important to remember that you should not buy “for-growth” shoes for a child - firstly, this will definitely affect the formation of the foot and may result in flat feet, and secondly, it will simply be uncomfortable for the baby to walk, and injuries and falls no one needs. It is enough to have a supply of a maximum of one size, so to speak "on a warm sock".
Women's shoes
For the fair sex, who have not too graceful legs, it is not so easy to pick up shoes. And the Chinese sizes of women's shoes are rarely large at all. This is probably due to the fact that in the Celestial Empire, the large size of a lady’s legs is a sign of bad taste, therefore, from an early age, girls’ legs are bandaged and pulled down in every possible way. However, as inexpensive plus size shoes enter the European market, more and more are coming from China every year. In order not to be mistaken with the choice of your size, you can use the following plate.
Foot length |
Russia (size) |
Europe (size) |
China (size) |
| 21, 5 | 35 | 34 | 34 |
| 22 | 35, 5 | 35 | 34 |
| 22, 5 | 36 | 35, 5 | 35 |
| 23 | 36, 5 | 36 | 35 |
| 23, 5 | 37 | 37 | 36-37 |
| 24 | 37, 5 | 37, 5 | 37-38 |
| 24, 5 | 38 | 38 | 38 |
| 25 | 38, 5 | 38, 5 | 38-39 |
| 25, 5 | 39 | 39 | 39-40 |
| 26 | 39, 5 | 40 | 40 |
| 26, 5 | 40 | 41 | 41 |
Chinese shoe size chart for men
Obviously, the determination of the size of shoes for the stronger sex is carried out according to the same methodology as for women. To translate Chinese shoe size into Russian, you must also use the table.
Foot length |
Russia (size) |
Europe (size) |
China (size) |
| 25 | 39 | 40 | 38, 5 |
| 25, 5 | 39, 5 | 40, 5 | 39 |
| 26 | 40 | 41 | 39, 5 |
| 26, 5 | 40, 5 | 41, 5 | 40 |
| 27 | 41 | 42 | 41 |
| 27, 5 | 41, 5 | 42, 5 | 42 |
| 28 | 42 | 43 | 43 |
| 28, 5 | 42, 5 | 43, 5 | 44 |
| 29 | 43 | 44 | 45 |
| 29, 5 | 43, 5 | 44, 5 | 46 |
| 30 | 44 | 45 | - |
| 31 | 45 | 46 | - |
Conclusion
The choice of comfortable shoes is a purely individual matter, therefore, despite the fact that now you know how to determine the size of Chinese shoes, fitting should be the main criterion when buying. But if you still decide to make a purchase in an online store, remember: shoes from China are almost always small, so it will be reasonablecontact the seller in advance and clarify all the details before payment.
