Sizing loafers...

[lordgrover]

I'm struggling with loafers. Pretty much all my shoes are UK11 and fit well, pretty much out of the box; from Joseph Cheaney, Barker, Meermin, Justin Fitzpatrick, etc. My feet are paradoxically skinny, yet wide(ish).
I've fancied some loafers and recently bought two pairs, one Scarosso and another Jones Bootmakers. Both fitted very well initially, but after a week or two of wear they're both too big/loose. Now that it's happened again, I remember this happening previously, and probably why I haven't bought any for many years.
Is it a style which requires buying 'too small', putting up with the discomfort/pain until they stretch out or should I just shelve the idea?

 

[strider11]

I had the same issue with loafer buys. But I rate the risk of getting loafers too tight as worse than too loose. Meermin recommended buying a half-size down, which I ignored, thankfully. Wore them out of the box and 4 weeks later, they fit fine.

Could try a shoe stretcher if you go small and they remain uncomfortable.

 

[Bankers_Stripes]

My personal experience with loafers is I almost always buy a half size down. I’ve never had the issue of loafers being too tight - I size down on all my loafers regardless of brand and it seems to do the trick. I normally wear an 11 in shoes but I find that 10.5 US size fits me perfect for loafers. So perfect that it makes me wonder if 10.5 is my true size and not 11. I order all my loafers online by the way - I can’t be bothered to go to a store for pretty much anything. Online shopping is amazing, and I don’t want to sound like a curmudgeon but dealing with sales folks can be annoying especially since I know my exact style and what I want/like pretty much all the time.

So yeah, half size down does the trick for me.

 

[lordgrover]

Excellent. One buy true size, one half size down. 😂

 

[strider11]

Excellent. One buy true size, one half size down. 😂

down those mean streets a loafer must go...

 

[SteveMc]

I have three pairs of loafers. All bought online. The first pair, is my size 9.5 and by the end of the day, there's a definite heel slip. So much that I had to buy tongue pads to try and fix it a bit.
The following pairs are 1/2 size down and there's very little heel slip if any.
So yeah, I'd recommend going 1/2 size down with loafers.

 

[rjc149]

For what it's worth, I have low arches and wide feet, and loafers just don't work for me. Stock loafers are made with an instep for normal arches, which are too roomy for me and the vamp won't keep my feet in place. Obviously, there are no laces to adjust that volume. Sizing down squishes my toes. I've bagged the loafer concept entirely.

Maybe you can make a pair work, but some shoe styles aren't intended for certain feet.

 

[MattyS]

For what it's worth, I have low arches and wide feet, and loafers just don't work for me. Stock loafers are made with an instep for normal arches, which are too roomy for me and the vamp won't keep my feet in place. Obviously, there are no laces to adjust that volume. Sizing down squishes my toes. I've bagged the loafer concept entirely.

Maybe you can make a pair work, but some shoe styles aren't intended for certain feet.

I have wide feet and no arches: my feel are completely flat. The only loafers I've been able to find that work for me are the high-vamp Sydney penny loafers from Crockett and Jones in the G fitting.

 

[sussi]

I also have a question regarding sizing of loafers. I have C&J Boston in size UK 10,5 - from C&J fitting guide that is 28cm (very weird but ok as UK 10 is usually 29cm and my foot is 28,9-29cm). They fit me perfect. They felt a bit tight on the left size of my toe of the right foot (same spot as I marked on the photo) but after some wear they are great. I have right foot around half a size bigger than my left foot so there is maybe a little heel slippage. But also Boston is imo just a little pointy in the toebox so there is still a little room in front where my middle toes are.

But now I wanted new suede penny loafer and because I could not get Alden 6243F in my size from any EU retailer I went to search for alternatives that would visually match my wishes. So I found a penny loafer from Velasca called Piugiatt and I really like how they look so I ordered them. Their sizing says 28,8-29,1cm is size UK 10 - EU 44 so I went with that size. I got them delivered yesterday and I like them even more in person - they look great and the shape is just what I wanted.

Left foot fits perfect, maybe even a little loose, I have just a little heel slip - same as with Bostons. But right foot fits a little tight width wise in toebox - it is putting a little too much pressure on the outer side of the toe at the corner of the nail - in length I would say I still have a few mm of room in the front. Should I expect them to stretch out in that area?
I attached 2 photos to explain where I feel pressure that starts to feel a little uncomfortable when walking. They are suede with leather lining - very similar to Bostons that are leather with leather lining. I am afraid that going up half a size would be too big and I would get too much heel slip on the left foot. What should I use to stretch the width of the toebox?

I would be super happy for any suggestions and recommendations.

P.S. I was searching a bit more how to stretch toebox and I came around this tool. Is it worth a try?

 

[sussi]

No one?

 

[Bythenumbers]

No one?

I have and use a shoe stretcher like that. It works, and is highly adjustable, but the shoes eventually (in a day or a week or a month) return to their original shape. One can buy shoe stretching spray which is supposed to improve the results: I haven’t used that.

 

[sussi]

I have and use a shoe stretcher like that. It works, and is highly adjustable, but the shoes eventually (in a day or a week or a month) return to their original shape. One can buy shoe stretching spray which is supposed to improve the results: I haven’t used that.

I have got it and used it but it did not do anything in that part of the toebox really. After wearing them for around the house for a few hours total this week they still don't seem more comfortable in the marked area of the toebox. I still feel pressure on my toe from the medial side of the shoe. That is the only problem I have with this shoe and I am not sure if I am willing to risk to wear them in hope this will stretch out.

 

[eyeofthek9]

I have a slightly wide forefoot and a narrower heel than most and really struggle to find loafers that fit. My natural size with oxfords / derbies is an 8D US / 7E UK. When I try on shoes in my natural size, it is always the narrow heel that gives me trouble. When I size down, I often get pain in my forefoot.

I recently purchased a pair of Crockett and Jones Harvard 2 unlined in 7E and they miraculously fit. I suspect that is due to the fact that they're softer and more flexible. However, I could not fit into the Boston, which is on the same 376 last, due to heel slippage.

I'd love to pick up a pair of Cordovan or calf loafers and wondering if folks have any advice for me for a maker and last that might work for me. Specifically, for C&J, I was wondering if anyone has any experience with the Yale which is on 391 last, and could describe how that differs compared to the 376 last. When I was last at the store, I tried on a pair in size 7 and my heel was too narrow. They unfortunately had no size 6.5 available, and it seems like I'd need to make a special order for it. How does the 391 last differ wrt the forefoot and the heel compared to the 376?

Also, is there any chance I could fit into any pair of cordovan Aldens? Or any pair of Aldens for that matter? I recall trying on a pair ages ago that didn't fit due to heel slip but cannot recall the model.