What’s the Average Shoe Size for Men?
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Shoe sizes may vary depending on age, weight, height, lifestyle and history of foot injuries.
In the United States, the average men’s shoe size is between 10 and 11.
Jeison Orlando Rodriguez Hernandez of Venezuela holds the record for the tallest shoe size in the world. When he was 20, Hernandez’s feet were about 16 inches long.
This translates to a size 26 shoe on the American scale. That’s significantly larger than the average man’s foot in the United States and almost three times larger than the average shoe size in Venezuela, which is 9.5 on the American scale.
The average shoe size of men around the world is relatively similar. Researchers estimate that the average shoe size for men worldwide is between US shoe size 9 and 12.
Because different countries use different mechanisms to determine shoe sizes, it can be difficult to compare average shoe sizes by country. Often, statisticians convert shoe sizes from the national system to American or British measurement systems.
For example, a men’s size 10 in the US is a size 9 in the UK. In Russia, Japan and China, all of which use the Mondopoint system, this size is between 270 and 275-277. Below is a chart illustrating how closely men’s sizes are related by country. Average sizes included in the chart have been converted to US sizes.
| Country | Size |
|---|---|
| Canada | 10 |
| China | 9 |
| Germany | 10.5 |
| France | 10 |
| India | 8 |
| Ireland | 10 |
| Israel | 10 |
| Italy | 9.5 |
| Japan | 9 |
| Mexico | 9 |
| Russia | 10 |
| Spain | 10 |
| Swiss | 10 |
| Türkiye | 10 |
| UNITED KINGDOM | 10 |
Your average shoe size can change throughout your life. Age, lifestyle, injuries and body composition can all impact the size of your foot and ultimately the shoe size you need. Here’s a closer look at some factors that can affect your shoe size:
- Injuries: A sprain or fracture in your foot can change the size of the shoe you wear, sometimes permanently. Although swelling can temporarily increase your shoe size, injuries can sometimes lead to changes in the structure of your foot. Even changes in the way your foot moves after an injury can make a once appropriately sized shoe too small.
- Age: By age 50, most adults have walked thousands of miles standing. Because of this, your feet may flatten and widen, which can change the shoe size you need. You’re also more likely to develop conditions that can affect your foot health as you age, such as gout, arthritis, and calluses. Any of these conditions can affect how your shoes fit and impact shoe size.
- Weight: Your shoe size is also influenced by your height and weight. If you gain weight, your shoe size may increase. And if you lose weight, your shoe size may go down. Research has shown that shoe sizes can go down an entire size after bariatric surgery.
- Height: Typically, taller men will also have a larger foot or shoe size. This larger size helps support their weight and maintain their balance. Some researchers have found that measuring a child’s foot can help predict their future size.
- Lifestyle: If you tend to walk barefoot a lot, you may notice a change in shoe size over time. A 2017 study found that people who regularly walk barefoot may have wider feet. Walking barefoot means you spend much of the day without support for your arch, which can cause your foot to flatten.
Wearing the wrong size shoes can harm your health and well-being. The wrong size can cause discomfort, disrupt your balance and affect your ability to move. It can also cause foot problems if you habitually wear ill-fitting shoes.
Nearly 25% of people suffer from at least one foot problem or problem, with older people more likely to experience a problem than younger people. Additionally, around 20% of men suffer from foot pain most of the time. This can have a significant impact on your quality of life.
You can avoid some of these problems by purchasing suitable shoes. Here are some tips:
- Shop for shoes later in the day. Your feet will swell by up to 8% throughout the day, which will ensure your shoes don’t feel too tight.
- Make sure you have 1/2 inch of space between your longest toe and the toe of the shoe.
- Avoid shoes that need to be stretched or require pads to hold your feet in place.
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