There are several shoe size measurement systems. The most common of them are: US (USA), EU (Europe) and UK (Great Britain). Since the EU system is widespread in our country, when buying shoes abroad or in online stores, a logical question arises: is the UK / US shoe size - how much by Russian standards?
Size comparison
According to the table below, you can quickly navigate if you know your size in at least one of the measurement systems, or if you measure the foot with a centimeter.
UK shoe size is considered in the inch system at the rate of 1/3 inch = 8.47 mm. But it is important not only to be able to convert inches to centimeters, but also to correctly measure the foot. Indeed, for the right choice of shoes, knowledge of the length of the foot is not enough, the size of the ankle, protruding joints are also important. All this is taken into account comprehensively in any measurement system, and UK size is no exception.
Male and female
It is customary to separate the measurements of the foot according to the floor. Women's and men's UK shoe sizes vary, as can be seen from the table above. And if you compare the EU and UK systems, in the first men's size is 1 cm larger than the similar female.
Consider an example: the female size of UK 6 shoes is 39 centimeters in the metric system. And which will be similar to it? In this case, the size of UK shoes in Russian (if translated) for men is 40 centimeters. That same difference in centimeter. It is saved when comparing all sizes in the grid. And, for example, the children's size of UK 6 shoes in Russian is 14 centimeters (more on this later).
How to measure the foot
First you need to figure out what parameters are taken into account when creating shoes. The first and main thing is really the length of the foot - from the most protruding point of the heel to the tip of the thumb.
Further, the following parameters are taken into account from left to right: the first phalanx of the thumb. Since when walking this part of the finger moves more actively than the rest, it is customary to take it into account in calculating the size and design of shoes. The lateral protrusion - the base of the thumb - is an important parameter that affects the choice of shoe model. It should be narrow enough if there is no protrusion; and wide enough if the protrusion is large so that the shoes sit comfortably on the foot.
An internal arch or just an arch - its dimensions are also taken into account by shoe manufacturers. In cases of flat feet or high arches, for example, completely different shoe manufacturing techniques are used. And finally, the inner heel and the protrusion of the ankle on the inside - affect the choice of shoes in the same way as the arch.
If you look in more detail, you can also measure the circumference of the ankle, the widest part of the foot (at the base of the toes) and the circumference of the lift, thus looking for a UK shoe size that matches its size.
But such meticulousness is more likely an exception than a rule. Although to buy shoes through the website, without the ability to touch and measure your favorite model, such measurement accuracy can serve as a good service and save the buyer from wasting time and money on returning or replacing an unsuitable shoe model.
Children's foot
Any mother knows that choosing shoes for a child is several times more difficult than for herself. And not only because there is no way to independently try and feel the shoes on the foot, but rather that the child is many times more mobile than adults, so when choosing a pair for him you need to take this into account.
Important parameters when choosing shoes for a child:
- The principle of layering. Foot length is not the size of a shoe. Separately takes into account the length of the insole and boot / sneaker.
- Half to one centimeter should be added to the length of the foot so that the leg does not deform with increased physical activity of the child. It is also useful because children grow very quickly and grow out of shoes of their size in six months so that they can no longer even wear it.
- The boot / sneaker is even longer than the insole. This will be the size of the shoes in the measurement table.
- The final shoe size is affected by the thickness of the material, the model (open, closed) and a number of other parameters. In each case, its own coefficient is considered to determine the size of the childβs shoes.
Child age and shoes
And, of course, the age of the baby is very important. Knowing the length of the foot or its size in the EU system, you can easily choose the size of UK children's shoes. Summary table:
The data are divided into three categories according to the growth rate of the child. Up to two years - very fast growth, it slows down by 4 years, and a little more - by 12. So, shoes bought in the first months of life wear out literally in weeks.
Label
Since the purchase of shoes by foreign manufacturers has become ubiquitous, as the distribution of local products around the world has become widespread, the labeling of sizes on labels has become universal. As a rule, it indicates at least three measurement systems: American, European and British.
The first and main measurement is indicated either by the country of origin or by country of the main buyer of the product. Also on the labels there are letters, such as S, M, L and others. They also indicate size. But unlike codes from letters and numbers indicate size ranges. That is, they are more universal and subjective. Therefore, it is better not to focus on them when buying something online.
British size
UK shoe size cannot be translated into Russian by adding centimeters. The British system of measurement differs radically from the metric (or mono-point, to be more precise) that we have adopted, radically, including its designation and marking.
Usually manufacturers indicate a standard British dimensional grid. But not all English shoe brands are guided by it. There are brands that use their own size chart, which can be found on the company's website. This is done for the convenience of the manufacturer, as well as based on the technology of manufacturing shoes.
The increased demands on the quality of shoes make many people look at the UK market. Including when choosing shoes for babies. English collections really show a wide range, very high quality products and a variety of models. Each such manufacturer necessarily translates UK sizes into other measurement systems and duplicates them in all sources: from the label on the shoe box to the company's website.
To determine which UK size is right for you, you can focus on reviews of specific brands of shoes and models on forums and specialized sites. Or ask a question to the manufacturing company itself through the feedback form. Large reputable brands, as a rule, acquire consultants who speak Russian. Thus, you will get all the comprehensive information first hand.
Matching UK shoe sizes with US and European measurement systems makes online shopping easier and increases the chance of getting the right shoe for you.