Measuring both feet in centimeters at the end of the day, then matching the longer foot to a model-specific size chart, is the most reliable way to pick athletic shoe size.
Whether you wear zapatillas de deporte for the treadmill or the trail, the fit problem is the same: sizes are labels, not measurements. Get the centimeter number right and the rest of the decision gets simple.
Why Numbers On The Box Don’t Match Your Foot
US, UK, and EU sizes are not standardized across brands, so a familiar number from one shoe tells you almost nothing about another. Toe-box shape, instep height, width, and internal length all vary by model, and each manufacturer builds its own chart. Converting from a size you already own is the most common source of a bad fit.
ASICS, for example, publishes separate standard-width sizing and model-specific guides rather than one brand-wide conversion. The practical move is to ignore the number you wore last year and start from a fresh measurement.
How To Measure Your Foot At Home
Measure both feet with the socks you plan to wear, late in the day, and size to the longer foot. Feet swell through the day and rarely match each other exactly, so a morning measurement taken barefoot can run short.
- Put a sheet of paper against a wall and stand with your heel touching the wall.
- Hold a pencil vertically and mark the furthest point of your longest toe.
- Repeat on the other foot.
- Measure from the paper’s heel edge to each mark in centimeters.
- Take the longer of the two numbers and compare it to the chart for that specific model.
If you wear orthotics or thicker socks, measure with them in place. A shoe that is too short or narrow can cause pressure, rubbing, blisters, or toe crowding; one that is too loose cuts stability.
Model-Specific Sizing: What The Brands Actually Say
Brand fit advice is written for one model and one version, so treat it as a starting point rather than a rule you carry to every pair. HOKA’s page for the women’s Clifton 11 GORE-TEX states that the style has updated sizing and recommends going down half an EU size from your usual HOKA size — someone who normally wears EU 38 2/3 in a Clifton or Bondi should try EU 38. That guidance applies to the women’s Clifton 11 GORE-TEX only; it does not automatically transfer to other Clifton versions or to men’s shoes. The same page notes that customers new to HOKA should use their usual size, and the shoe comes in Regular and Wide widths.
Customer fit ratings, while useful for a general feel, are not manufacturer specifications. HOKA’s Clifton 11 GORE-TEX fit notes are worth reading in full before you order that model.
| Model | Fit Note | Widths |
|---|---|---|
| HOKA Clifton 11 GORE-TEX (women’s) | Go down half an EU size from your usual HOKA size | Regular, Wide |
| ASICS GEL-KAYANO 32 | Size fit 2.93/5 on model-specific chart | Standard |
| ASICS GT-1000 14 PS (children’s) | Fit 2.93/5, width 2.89/5 | Standard |
Where Most Shoppers Go Wrong
Most sizing mistakes come from trusting a number instead of a measurement. The recurring ones:
- Assuming US, UK, and EU sizes convert identically across brands.
- Measuring only one foot, or measuring barefoot for a shoe you’ll wear with thick socks.
- Measuring in the morning, before normal daily swelling sets in.
- Choosing by numeric size rather than centimeter length.
- Ignoring width, instep height, or the availability of Wide options.
- Applying one model’s fit advice to a different model or version.
- Reordering a new version of a shoe you loved without checking whether its last changed.
Verify the exact width before you buy, and check fit with your intended socks and any orthotics. For persistent pain, numbness, recurring blisters, or a foot deformity, a professional assessment makes sense.
Once your measurements are set, browse a tested roundup of zapatillas de deporte to compare models that match your length and width.
Common Questions
Should I size up or down for athletic shoes?
Neither by default — size to your measured centimeter length, then follow the specific model’s chart. Some models ask you to add length (wide feet or a high instep often need more room), and some ask you to size down a half step. Only the chart for that exact shoe can tell you which.
Are customer fit ratings reliable for picking a size?
They are a rough feel signal, not a specification. A rating near 3 out of 5, like the ASICS figures, means buyers report the shoe fitting roughly as expected. Treat the rating as background and rely on the manufacturer’s chart and your own measurement.
Why do I wear a different size in different brands?
Because sizing is not standardized. Toe-box shape, instep height, width, and internal length differ by brand and model, and each builds its own chart. A “US 9” from one maker can run noticeably shorter or longer than the same label elsewhere.
Sources
- HOKA. “Clifton 11 GORE-TEX” Official product page with the women’s half-size-down sizing note and Regular/Wide width options.
- ASICS. “GEL-KAYANO 32” Product page showing US sizing, standard width, and customer size-fit and width ratings.
- ASICS. “GT-1000 14 PS” Children’s model with model-specific size guide and displayed fit and width ratings.