Shoe sizing – how big is too big?

How much air space between the toes and the front of the weighted shoe?
A thumb's width (flat) seems a decent starting point. About the same as a finger side ons worth of space at the heel.

Man you don't know how relieved I am to see this post. Unfortunately I can help you at all but I'm in the exact same boat, searching for that elusive 13 1/2. I thought maybe I was nuts. I'm eager to see if anyone has an answer other than custom made. I love my Keen's but I'm definitely squished on the 13 while the 14 is way to long. I feel your pain.

I would argue that the right width and the right arch placement are more important than length. People get all worked up about length when even an inch to long isn't bad if the arch fits your foot and the creasing of the toe doesn't hit your foot or toes in a way that causes a problem. You can take up volume with insoles, but you can't add length.

So, for what it's worth, my suggestion is always err on the long side. People with "wide" feet often really just have short toes, so a shoe with extra space in the toe fits their arch much better and is a healthier fit. If there is too much volume, add an odor eater insole or the like to take up volume.

P.S. I'm a narrow 14.5 right now (long toes) and most companies quite making shoes bigger than 14. Jerks! ;)

I just learned this the hard way this year. I've been an 11.5 narrow my whole adult life and now I'm a 12. Snug shoes really jack my feet up so I'd go longer.

http://articles.latimes.com/2007/jan/01/health/la-he-agingfoot1jan01

I am 13&1/2 as well. I always go for 14 if available. I remember reading that when you kick your toes as far forward in your shoes as you can you should be able to fit 2 fingers behind your heel. It seems to work for me.

> You can take up volume with insoles, but you can't add length.

How very very true.

Cheers

I size my running and hiking shoes about a full size larger than my dress shoes. That seems about right to me. If I was between sizes I would probably err on the large size.

Thanks for all the advice. I got them out on the trail yesterday. They're big, but I think they'll work. I didn't have them laced down super tight and I didn't have my Superfeet in them. They were a little sloppy on anything with a lot of incline. They felt great on the flats, though. I really like the sole. If NB could put that same Vibram base on a shoe with more mesh that breathed really well it would be an almost ideal trail shoe.

As long as they don't stretch a lot I think they'll work out. Thanks again!

I size up one full size in length. Provided the heel fits me right, I don't slide around in the shoe, and it keeps my toes from being jammed in the front of the shoe no matter how my feet swell and leaves room for thick socks if the temps are low.