Are men’s and women’s shoe sizes the same?

[Millerr]

Sold a pair of Vans shoes advertised as UK size 7. They were listed under women’s shoes as they are blush pink slim line vans, but was very clear the sizing was uk based.

The buyer has now contacted me stating that she wants a refund as the shoes are not advertised as they are not a UK size 7 womens shoe, they are a size 7 men’s shoe and this wasn’t clear on the listing. They are saying that the sizing is different.

To prove their point the buyer actually sent me a picture of the tag, clearly showing it says UK size 7

I have accepted the refund but replied stating that it was sold as a UK 7, which it clearly is, and as far as I am aware UK sizing is gender neutral, especially for brands such as vans. I know there is a difference in the US but I thought the UK was the same.

The buyer has again come back insisting I am wrong and that there is a size a half difference between men’s and women’s shoes. So for example if you were a size 7 in women’s shoes, you would be a 5 and a half in men’s shoes. I don’t think this is the case...

AIBU to think I’m right?

No that’s crap. Shoe sizes are shoe sizes.

I think the buyer is bullshitting you. Men's and women's shoe sizes are slightly different, but not massively - certainly no more than the odd half size. Men's shoes tend to be a bit wider too. It's the variation you might find in, say, a size 12 dress from Asda and a size 12 from New Look.

As an aside, sports shoe sizes often come up smaller than standard shoes. My DS takes a 7.5 in school shoes but an 8 in his PE trainers.

You are right. I am an 8 and can buy mens trainers size 8.

There are so many cf on ebay just trying to get refunds for made up problems. I dont sell on there anymore

They're exactly the same. I have a friend who takes a size 9 and can rarely get women's trainer's in that size so gets men's ones.

Men's and women's shoes are slightly different shapes: men's shoes are wider at the heel. For 'unisex' styles like Dr Martens and Vans I wear a 7, but I'm normally a 7.5.

If you advertised a UK 7 and the shoes are marked UK 7, then they're as described and your buyer is wrong. Nevertheless, you should allow your buyer to return them and issue a refund once you have the shoes back in their original condition because the buyer will probably leave you negative feedback otherwise. Selling on EBay can be quite frustrating. But fortunately most buyers are reasonable - you were unlucky this time.

I can only compare the difference in safety boots but the size 5 is bigger and wider in men’s sizes. Not much help I know 😂

When I was buying shoes for panto dames I definitely found a difference in what they thought they were in men's shoes, and the lady shoes.
Shouldn't have been but it was the case.

There isn't a size and a half difference. Might be half a size, but it depends where you shop.

I'm a size 8. Some shops do Euro size 41 as an 8 for women. Some shops do 42. I'm a 42 8. Which in some women's shoe shops is a 9. Men's shoes are always 42 8s.

Confused yet? I am. Especially when I try to buy shoes.

I didn't know men's shoes were wider. I might try boys shoes to see if they fit better.

Sorry, I just assumed EBay because of the nature of the buyer's complaint! But maybe it's not, in which case I'm not qualified to advise.

In the states the sizes are different but the UK sizes are the same. When on doubt, check the European size.

The 5.5 to 7 difference your seller is quoting is true on the USA vans website. Sounds like she has made the wrong assumption & she was wanting them to fit 5.5 but is making you responsible for her stupidity

I always thought they were equivalent but the other week, my dad told me that they were not and a man's size 8 would be equivalent to a woman's size 9. He could be wrong of course.

A quick google confirms my dad is right.

About a half size difference in the UK and men’s shoes tend to be wider. 1.5 size difference is in the US.

I can believe this for US brands.

I also sometimes buy men's shoes as I have large feet and where I am a women's 8.5 I am more like a men's 7.5

I'm a size 9 in women's shoes but can sometimes get away with a a size 8.5 in a men's. There definitely is a difference.

There is definitely a difference in size, I’m a size 40/6.5 and DH is a men’s size 8. He can fit in to my walking boots and his shoes are a bit loose on me, but a ladies size 8 would be much looser. I think that men’s shoes are vanity sized to make them seem bigger than they are.

not true, sizes in UK are the same.
US sizes are different.

I wear a lot of men's shoes, and size is the same.

Men's shoes tend to be wider, and occasionally particular brands the men's come up bigger, usually by half a size or so, but in general, they are the same

There is a difference.

I am a women's size 6, European size 39. I'm not very girly so I tend to prefer the look of men's trainers. I frequently find that the men's 6, the smallest size, is showing as a European size 40 rather than a 39 and is too big for me.

I think the difference is in the width and as I have broad feet I can often get men's trainers that are more comfortable than women's.

There's a little difference I wear a boy's 4 but a women's 5. Boy's shoes are wider and fit my feet better than women's though, so it's not just the length that's different.

I was told that the length difference is calculated to accommodate thick socks versus thin stockings.

If it's online/distance selling make sure you have the shoes in your possession before refunding anything!

I wear a size 9 women’s shoe but size 8 men’s. There definitely is a difference, whether there should be or not is another matter!

I am a ladies UK 6 and I’ve just bought mens Nike Air Max trainers in a 6, which fit perfectly. I also wear a 6 in ladies Nike so it’s not just a small made brand.