Fit of Loafers

[teddieriley]

Couldn't find a helpful thread on this. I purchased first pair of loafers and am having difficult assessing proper fit. Is it common for people to size down 1/2 size to get a better fit in the heel?

Problem I'm encountering is at my normal size, in a brand new pair, my heal can easily and completely slip out if I simply lift my heel. While I know that heel slippage is reduced after breaking in the soles, I'm not sure if the break-in will be enough to curtail the amount of slippage going on.

If I size down 1/2, my heel is nicely snug, but it is quite tight across the vamp. Again, this pair is also brand new, and I know the leather *should* stretch a bit. The fit of the leather is noticeably snug/tight, but the length seems fine (standing on carpet, anyway) and it doesn't hurt. If these were lace-ups or monks, I would certainly opt for my normal size where laces or straps keep my feet in place, even in an elongated last. Just not used to the tightness and not sure if it will really stretch enough.

Any advice in helping decide which pair to keep?

 

[fuji]

I generally size down an entire to a half a size on loafers.

 

[DandySF]

Loafers can be the hardest shoe to fit properly. Soft soled loafers are a bit less of a fit problem than hard soles. If the heel is slipping today you should return the shoe. The key is to get a width that is snug enough to hold the shoe to your foot, since this is what will reduce heel slipping.

 

[Mexicorn]

Have you checked if they offer the shoe in wider widths?

 

[teddieriley]

Originally Posted by Mexicorn

Have you checked if they offer the shoe in wider widths?

Not available. But the leather is quite stiff and the soles are standard leather soles. Since they are brand new, it's hard to assess what will happen with either size.

But it appears that I should opt for the snugger version and break them in gradually. I guess if my heel is essentially slipping out with my normal size, it won't get much better even with some break in.

 

[EricE.]

i had exactly the same problem!!!
i got some tassel loafers as a present and they look great. but i slipped out of them all the time. what i did, was putting these heel grip thingys in there and now they are fine.

i still havent broken them in so they kind of feel weird with the heel grips in there but im very sure that will be gone in a few more days of wear.

 

[dfagdfsh]

for loafers I always have to break in the shoe to really assess if it's comfortable or not. I usually end up sizing down half a size.

 

[teddieriley]

Originally Posted by EricE.

i had exactly the same problem!!!
i got some tassel loafers as a present and they look great. but i slipped out of them all the time. what i did, was putting these heel grip thingys in there and now they are fine.

i still havent broken them in so they kind of feel weird with the heel grips in there but im very sure that will be gone in a few more days of wear.

Yah, I don't like heel grips because they end up getting shredded or loosing elasticity like a wet band-aid. And I don't like using tongue pads. If I have to use an insole to adjust fit, then I know I just have the wrong size.

 

[bigbris1]

I have found that in loafers I take a 13 whereas I normally wear a 12.5. Go figure.

I can tell you to go with the snugger fit as they will stretch out considerably.

 

[ThinkDerm]

Originally Posted by teddieriley

Yah, I don't like heel grips because they end up getting shredded or loosing elasticity like a wet band-aid. And I don't like using tongue pads. If I have to use an insole to adjust fit, then I know I just have the wrong size.

size down half a size.