Every day, purchases through the Internet are becoming increasingly popular. This is especially true of foreign online stores, where prices are not so high even taking into account delivery, and the quality of goods is often much higher than domestic counterparts. However, many users are still afraid to purchase shoes this way. This is due to the difference in accepted measurement systems in different countries, it is quite easy to make a mistake with the size. Not everyone knows, for example, how to translate the Chinese size of shoes into Russian, and yet this manufacturing country occupies a leading position in the world market .
Measurement systems of different countries
Russia has adopted a metric measurement system that complies with ISO 3355–77 (international standard). This is very convenient, since you can determine the personal size by simple steps without leaving your home and without making adjustments to the shape of the shoe pads.
The French (European) system is called the shtikhmassovoy, as the basis for the measurement adopted a special unit - shtich, equal to 2/3 centimeters, 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 the bollards. Chinese shoe sizes are defined in the same way as European ones.
No less interesting is the English system, where measurements are made in inches (1 inch is 2.54 cm). In this system, the size of the foot of a newborn baby, which is approximately equal to 4 inches, is taken as the zero size. 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). At this, children's sizes end and adults begin, again from 1 to 13.
The US size system is quite similar to the English one, while it is slightly more shifted to zero - 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 identified your shoe numbers from the table, no one can guarantee that you will get what you want.
We measure the length of the foot on our own
So, what needs to be done to find out the size (metric) of your foot:
- take a plain sheet of paper and a pencil;
- put the paper on the floor and step on it with your foot, stand upright, do not squat or bend your knees, otherwise the measurements will be incorrect;
- transfer the weight of the whole body to the supporting leg;
- circle the outline of the foot, firmly pressing the pencil to the leg and leaving no room for allowances;
- Using a ruler, measure the distance from the edge of the thumb to the heel in the most prominent places;
Repeat the above manipulations at least 3 times and take the result that was repeated at least 2 times as correct. If you circle your foot without crouching, it will be a difficult task for you, you can use the option “help a friend”.
How to determine leg fullness
Another parameter for the correct selection of shoes is the fullness of the foot (width). This criterion is indicated infrequently by manufacturers, since traditional shoes for daily wear are quite soft and stretch (trampled down) over time. This option is especially important when buying hard shoes, such as ski boots or skates.
Chinese shoe sizes rarely have information about completeness, but practice shows that the vast majority of models made in the Middle Kingdom are designed for a rather narrow foot. If you are the owner of a fairly full leg, purchase shoes with laces or with Velcro, this will make it possible to adjust the width of the model.
In the Russian Federation, to indicate the width (fullness) of both men's and women's shoes, the numbering is from 1 to 12 (4 mm interval), European gradation assumes values from 1 to 8 with an interval of 5 mm, and the United States and Great Britain prefer lettering from A to F every 5 mm.
To correctly determine the fullness of your foot, 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 thumb bone sticks out). Next, you will need the following formula:
P = 0.25 * O - 0.15 * L - A , where P is the desired completeness; About - girth of your foot in mm; For - foot length in mm; A is a certain constant coefficient (for women - 16, for men - 17).
The result obtained must be rounded to the nearest 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 put on a thin sock, because it is unlikely that you will wear new shoes on your bare feet, but do not overdo it - a too thick sock can distort the measurement results to a larger extent;
- Chinese shoe sizes, as well as European ones, are calculated based on the insole length, so when you draw the outline, keep the pencil strictly perpendicular, otherwise the measurements will be incorrect.
As you know, a person is asymmetrical, this can be easily confirmed by looking at his nails. On one arm, 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, therefore, measurements should be carried out on both legs, a larger result will be correct.
Children's shoes
If with adult sizes everything is more or less clear, then with children's shoes you have to tinker, especially when the sizes are Chinese. You can find an incredible amount of children's shoes on the shelves of 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 - they shake his shoes or not, and even more difficult to convince the baby to “move the leg forward” - he simply does not understand what his mother wants from him. So here, as never before, a table of sizes of Chinese shoes will come in handy - it’s best, of course, to print this out and carry it with you — all of a sudden it will come in handy.
Foot length | Russia (size) | Europe (size) | China (size) |
10.5 | 17 | 17 | 10.5 |
eleven | 18 | 18 | eleven |
11.5 | 19 | 19 | 11.5 |
12 | 19.5 | 20 | 12 |
12.5 | 20 | 21 | 12.5 |
thirteen | 21 | 22 | thirteen |
13.5 | 22 | 22 | 13.5 |
14 | 22.5 | 23 | 14 |
14.5 | 23 | 23 | 14.5 |
fifteen | 24 | 24 | fifteen |
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 | 29th | 27 | 18.5 |
19 | thirty | 28 | 19 |
19.5 | 31 | 29th | 19.5 |
20 | 31.5 | thirty | 20 |
It is important to remember that it is not necessary to buy shoes “for growth” for the child - firstly, it will certainly affect the formation of the foot and can end with flat feet, and secondly, the crumb will simply be uncomfortable to walk, and no one needs injuries and falls. It is enough to have a margin of a maximum of one size, so to speak “on a warm sock”.
Women's shoes
For the fair sex, having a not too elegant leg, it is not so easy to pick up shoes. And the Chinese sizes of women's shoes are rarely large at all. Probably, this is due to the fact that in the Celestial Empire, the large size of the lady’s legs is a sign of bad taste, therefore, from an early age, the legs of the girls are bandaged and dragged off. However, as they enter the European market, inexpensive large-sized shoes from China become more and more 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 shoes size chart for men
Obviously, determining the size of shoes for the stronger sex is carried out according to the same methodology as for women. To translate the 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 |
29th | 43 | 44 | 45 |
29.5 | 43.5 | 44.5 | 46 |
thirty | 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, the main criterion for buying should be trying on. But if you still decide to make a purchase in the online store, remember: shoes from China are almost always small, so it would be wise to contact the seller first and clarify all the details before payment.