Sizing Guide

Introduction


We'd like to start off by saying thanks for reading this guide! We always recommend trying shoes on in person before buying. This is to make sure you get the right fit and avoid the hassle of shipping back and forth (for your sake and ours!). Unfortunately, thats not possible for everyone, so this guide is for those who are not able to make it into one of our locations, want to get ideas of how the shoes we carry fit, or just like to read about shoe related topics. Feel free to reach out to our Boulder store for any questions you may have!

General Sizing Advice

1.) Sizing can vary from brand to brand and even shoe to shoe within a brand.


2.) Not all shoes fit all feet. Each brand has a different shape, what we call a shoe's last, so we recommend trying on as many different brands and models as you can to find what fits your foot shape best.

3.) We typically recommend about a thumb nail width (about 1/2 inches or 1.25 cm) from the front of your longest toe to the front of the shoe when standing. This amount of space keeps your toes from being jammed into the front of the shoe when walking, especially in shoes for athletic endeavors. This is a recommendation, and it still comes down to your personal preference and planned use for the shoe, but we advise against having your toes touching the end of the shoe.

4.) If you're finding the shoes to be too tight across the top of the foot then it is likely that the overall space in the shoe, what we call the shoe's volume, may be low. This can be due to just having a thicker foot, a high in-step, or even a thick sock.

5.) Some shoes within a single brand may have different volumes despite having the same lasts. This is common due to the use of different materials in the upper part of the shoe, some being thicker than others. For example, a waterproof shoe may have less volume than its non-waterproof counterpart because it has a waterproof membrane.

6.) If you ever feel like a shoe is too tight or that you are in between sizes, try taking out the insole to give your foot more room.

Brand Sizing Disclaimer

Keep in mind that the recommendations we provide for the specific brands are general guidelines and are what we've seen as being consistent while helping others/trying them on ourselves. Consider sizing advice 1.) above when trying out shoes from each brand. This would be a much lengthier guide if we were to give detailed fit guidance for each shoe model so if you have any specific questions about fit, use, materials, etc. please give us a call! We'll try our best to answer any questions you may have.

Brand Specific Sizing Advice

Vivobarefoot Shoes

The original sizing for Vivobarefoot shoes is European. We consider their shoes to be lower-volume than other brands and have a close to the foot fit. Those with a much wider foot might feel the shoes to be a little on the tighter side.

We generally find that their shoes run longer than what most people are used to so we recommend sizing down. If your usual size is a US half size then we recommend starting with the next US full size down (US9.5 >> US9). If your usual size is a US full size then start with that. Vivobarefoot shoes can be worn with or without insoles, so try them both ways, especially if you feel that the shoe is a little tight on the first try. These can be some of the most barefoot feeling shoes we carry, so if you're looking for a bit more cushion then we recommend Xero Shoes, Groundies, Flux, or Topo Athletic.

Xero Shoes

The sizing for Xero Shoes is US and generally runs true to size. We consider their shoes to be higher-volume, the toe box shape tends to favor those with a squarer foot shape, and has a more rectangular shape for the midfoot and heel. These are great for those just starting out their minimalist shoe journey because they have a little bit more under foot while maintaining fantastic ground feel.

Sizing for Xero Sandals generally runs true to size. We try to get the toes as close to the edge as possible without spilling over the front while walking.

Skinners Shoes

The sizing for Skinners shoes is European and generally runs true to size. We recommend sizing-up to start if you are usually an US half size (US9.5 >> US10) if your size is not available. Depending on the upper material, we consider them to be moderate-to-high volume, fit most foot shapes, and have a more rectangular shape for the midfoot and heel.

Topo Athletic Shoes

The sizing for Topo Athletic Shoes is US and generally runs true to size. We consider their shoes to be of moderate-volume, the toe box shape tends to fit most foot shapes, and have a snug, tapered fit for the midfoot and heel. These are a great option for those who spend much of their day on their feet or are looking to start running in zero drop.

Luna Sandals

The sizing for Luna Sandals is US and generally runs big. We recommend sizing down and trying to get the toes as close to the edge as possible without spilling over the front while walking. We recommend that people check out Luna's sizing guide here, as it is very comprehensive.