British shoe sizing

[tattersall]

MPS,

Excuse the naive question - what is the throat of a shoe?

edit ... sorry, just re-read your message. I gather the throat is the area of the shoe that is below the laces. I do have a rather high in-step, which is perhaps why the .5 size larger was suggested for me (this was for the Downing, though, on the 330).

 

[AlanC]

In correspondance with PLal on the issue of C&J sizing, I received this:

"We normally find that our US D width customers go for 1 number smaller in UK E width but we're also aware of reports that the handgrades run one-eighth to a quarter size smaller than their benchmade counterparts. So if your US size is 9D, your choice will be UK8.5E (probably) for the handgrades and UK8E for the benchgrades."

They seem to indicate that the Handgrades actually tend to run smaller than the Benchgrade lines.

Thoughts from those with experience?

 

[Stu]

"we're also aware of reports that the handgrades run one-eighth to a quarter size smaller than their benchmade counterparts.....They seem to indicate that the Handgrades actually tend to run smaller than the Benchgrade lines.

Thoughts from those with experience?

I think that is right on. They told me the handgrades run a little tighter, so I went for an F width in the Downing and it fits perfectly. I'm ordering a pair of Chiltern boots, which are their normal bench grade, and in these I'm going back to an E, based on their recomendations. We'll see what happens.

 

[montecristo#4]

Just thought I'd resurrect this thread and move it to the top, since at the time it seems like a lot of people had shoes on order and were waiting to see if they fit when they arrived. I personally am trying to figure out what size I am in C&J in both handgrade and benchgrade. Currently, I'm a 10.5D in Aldens and in C&J 330-last shoes available in American sizing from Ben Silver. The C&J's are a little tight, however. From this, I conclude (based on this thread): For C&J 337-last in English size, I am a 10E. For C&J benchgrade, I am a 9.5E. I am looking to order up some Audleys and Caterburys from Plal, and I need to make some decisions.

Regards, Montecristo

 

[scm996]

I am a US size 9D and the handgrades in 8E on 337 last fits me pretty well. If anything, it feels a quarter size longer in length than I would have ideally preferred. I would not recommend going a half size larger (8.5E in my case) as they would very likely run too long.

 

[Bic Pentameter]

I don't have much to add to the mix but this cautionary tale.  I was very happy when C&J offered to recommend a size after I had sent them outlines of my feet.  I took the tracings at night, when I assumed my feet were their largest. I sent the tracings by mail (not fax), and described the shoes I was interested in.  Models in the 337 last were on my list.

C&J made recommendations, but based on the sizes of other English shoes in my closet, I added 1/2 to them.  The models in the 337 last that I recieved (even with my 1/2 size adjustment) were simply too narrow to be worn out of the box. I have stretched them several times, and they are now wearable, but they will never be the most comfortable dress shoe in my closet.  This situation may apply only to my Fred Flintstone shaped foot, and your mileage may vary.  As someone who has ordered at least a dozen shoes over the Net (mostly with good result, the above tale notwithstanding)I can say with conviction that nothing really beats trying the shoe on.

Bic