Your shoe size can change between brands, between styles, and even through the day. Here's how our fit experts get shoes and boots fitting right, and how you can check at home in two minutes.
The 3-second fit check
- 1A thumb's width of room (about 1 cm) between your longest toe and the end of the shoe.
- 2No heel slip when you walk.
- 3Fit beats the number. A 9 in one brand can fit like a 9.5 in another.
Jump to your shoe
Step 1: Measure your feet
Measure later in the day. Feet swell a little by the afternoon.
Put paper against a wall. Stand on it with your heel touching the wall, in the socks you'll wear.
Mark the tip of your longest toe and measure from the wall to the mark.
Do both feet and size for the longer one. Most people have one slightly bigger foot.
Step 2: Check the width
Most shoes come in a standard width, and many running shoes also come in wide. If the sides of your foot press against the shoe or spill over the sole, try the wide version before going up a size. A longer shoe that's too narrow still won't fit.
Running and training shoes
- Toe room: a thumb's width in front of your longest toe. Your foot moves forward and swells on longer runs.
- Heel: snug, with no slipping when you walk or jog.
- Midfoot: held, but not squeezed. Use the laces to fine-tune.
- Try them moving: walk and jog a few steps. Pressure you feel in the store gets worse a few kilometres in.
Gait analysis in Grande Prairie. We film your stride with Dartfish motion-capture software and use it to find the shoe that fits how you run and walk.
Not sure if you need a running or a training shoe? Read our running vs training shoes guide.
Winter boots
- Try them on with winter socks. Thick socks can take up half a size.
- Leave a little room. About a thumb's width lets warm air sit around your toes. Boots that are too tight make feet colder, not warmer.
- Check the heel and ankle. Your foot shouldn't slide forward when you walk downhill.
- Temperature ratings are a guide, not a promise. How warm a boot feels depends on your socks, how active you are and how long you're outside.
Kids' shoes and boots
- Measure often. Young kids' feet can grow a size in just a few months. Check every 3 months and before every new season.
- A thumb's width of growing room, not more. Shoes that are too big cause tripping and blisters.
- Press the toe while they stand. If their toes are right at the end, it's time for the next size.
- Watch for clues. Red marks after shoes come off, or a child who suddenly won't wear a pair.
| Size range | Usually fits |
|---|---|
| Toddler (C sizes) | Babies and toddlers |
| Little kid (about 10.5C to 3Y) | Preschool and early school age |
| Big kid (about 3.5Y to 7Y) | Older kids and young teens |
Ranges vary a little by brand.
Men's and women's sizes
In North American sizing, a women's size is usually about 1.5 sizes bigger than the same men's size.
| Men's | Women's (about) |
|---|---|
| 6 | 7.5 |
| 7 | 8.5 |
| 8 | 9.5 |
| 9 | 10.5 |
| 10 | 11.5 |
Check the brand's size chart on the product page, since some brands run small or large.
Our Fit Guarantee
Shop in store and let our fit experts help you choose technical footwear like running shoes. If the fit isn't right, we'll exchange it.