Difference between 10.5D sizing and 10W

[kitonotik]

Hello all,

Just had a question regarding the difference in shoe sizing overall. I was recently at nordstrom buying a pair of allen edmonds shoes in a size 10.5D which fit perfectly. However, I saw another pair of shoes that I also liked but they didn't have, 10.5D, I asked for a 10W (10 3E marked inside the shoe) and they fit just like the 10.5D's.

Is this a common ocurrence in shoes, where if you go down a half size the shoe will fit as long as it is a W shoe?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[NoVaguy]

yeah, shoes are "graded". As the length increases, so does the width at a certain letter. So a 9D is not the same width as a 11D - even though the width letter assigned is the same, it's in the context of that length. A "D" is usually what manufacturer thinks is the the average or normal or typical width at that length.

Thus, it is possible to get roughly the same width by going down a size and up a width or two. Thus, 10.5D is often about the same width as a 10E or 10EE. In my case, I own AE Taunton's in both 10.5D and in 10E, and they fit almost the same (the 10E is maybe a little bit short in length, have to wear dress socks to be comfortable, can't wear thick socks, whereas the 10.5D is fine lengthwise and widthwise and with thin dress socks and with thicker casual socks.

There will brand differences and such. And of course, if they are laceups and especially if they are blucher lace-ups, you will be able to loosen or tighten the laceups and get an expanded range of fits.

 

[kitonotik]

Thanks a lot for your response, it was very helpful. It hadn't ocurred to me before this instance to try smaller sizes with a bigger width but I will from now on. Much appreciated!