Sizing for Jaya LR?

[BFF]

Short back story - I have been running and using W37's extensively and nearly exclusively for over 2 years (KSO's & Bikila LS). It has been fine but in last couple months it appears my feet and toes have gotten longer (my running has continued to be 45 miles a week, but I think maybe more weight training has had an effect on making my toes spread out more in length) and I am starting to get cramped. Both my big and second toes are pressing on ends. It is not painful, but I am always aware of the pressure so it is not comfortable and my second toe (slight Morton's toe) cannot stretch out all the way. I also think it is causing issues for me running, as I have been getting a bit of extensor tendonitis from my foot being cramped/flexed up to compensate for lack of room.

So I remeasured my feet, and when I measure now, I am right at 9 1/4", putting me right between a W37 (9 1/8") and a W38 (9 3/8") in KSO. Obviously sizing down does not work for me, so I am going up. I have ordered some new W38's in both KSO and Bikila LS's to see how those work!

However, I am also interested in the Jaya LR, and see that the US chart recommends to size up, like with Classics so at 9 1/8" they recommend a W38, and at 9 3/8" they recommend a W39. Can anyone tell me if they find that to be true if they are in between sizes? Especially with heel inversions? I know I can order two sizes, but I am in Canada so it can be a pain in the butt with shipping and duties and returns! My inclination is to try the W38 is I prefer a snugger feel and do some heel inversions, but I worry that they might be too small given I am according to the US chart sizing down (the UK chart recommends the same size as a KSO, though, at 9 3/8). I have very, very narrow feet so my concern is really with length from heel to toe, rather than width or stretch in the upper, etc.

Thanks!

[skye97]

I don't have Classics, but I believe they fit the same as Sprints, and I wear a W40 in both Sprints and Jaya LRs.  I'm between a W39 and W40 in KSOs if I could wear them (my instep is too high), so I guess you could say I go up half a size from the KSOs.  However, probably due to the extreme flexibility of the sole, my Jayas feel like they have "stretched" over time, and are quite loose now, though not to the point of falling off.  My feet are extremely wide, so since yours are narrow I agree with your inclination to go with the smaller size.

Also, what do you mean by heel inversions?  Are you referring to how the heels on some models kind of stick out?  If so, the Jaya LR doesn't do that at all.  Out of all my VFFs, they're by far the most glove-like and comfortable.

[BFF]

I don't have Classics, but I believe they fit the same as Sprints, and I wear a W40 in both Sprints and Jaya LRs.  I'm between a W39 and W40 in KSOs if I could wear them (my instep is too high), so I guess you could say I go up half a size from the KSOs.  However, probably due to the extreme flexibility of the sole, my Jayas feel like they have "stretched" over time, and are quite loose now, though not to the point of falling off.  My feet are extremely wide, so since yours are narrow I agree with your inclination to go with the smaller size.

Also, what do you mean by heel inversions?  Are you referring to how the heels on some models kind of stick out?  If so, the Jaya LR doesn't do that at all.  Out of all my VFFs, they're by far the most glove-like and comfortable.

Thanks Skye!

No, by heel inversions I mean when you turn the heel inside out - it seems to loosen up the backs of certain models a little bit when they are just a bit too tight.

[PB Junkie]

For me, the sizing up according to the sizing chart was spot on. I usually wear a W40 in most VFFs and the W41 Jaya LR fit great. They are a different fit though from my other VFFs. What I mean is, they fit more like a slipper instead of a glove like the KSOs. At first I thought they were too big, but later realized its just a different fit. Don't know what to suggest as far as being in between sizes, but it looks like Skye 97 may be a better authority on that one.

[skye97]

No, by heel inversions I mean when you turn the heel inside out - it seems to loosen up the backs of certain models a little bit when they are just a bit too tight.

Cool, I didn't know about that trick.  I'll have to try it on my new Sprints.

[Stefanie]

Go with the 38s in in jaya lr. I'm kind of between W38 and 39. Kso trek and bikila ls I am a 38, and my jaya lr are 39s and they fit perfect

[BFF]

Thanks everybody!

I took the chance and ordered the 38's last week and they came in this morning (that makes Monday a little better)! Oddly enough, they beat my new order of KSO's and Bikila's!

I ordered them in Almond and in Black. I am wearing the black ones now at the office and plan to wear them until the end of the day (have to put my mukluks on to go home though...snowy and cold!)

Still early, but so far they feel good. My heel has a bit of give in it, I can wiggle it around on my foot both with my hands and just moving my foot around (with Injinjis and without), and when I walk the heel does have a bit more "slipper like" feel to it. My biggest toes (the big and second toe on my right foot) seem have a little space, and when I put my heel right back in the heel cup they have a fair amount at ends without my toes falling out. The upper is comfortable and not at all restrictive.

They feel a bit cramped (but not painful) on the 5th toes when I have my Injinji's on, but that is not unusual for me the first few times I wear new VFF's. All my toes are rather skinny except for my fat little baby toes  

So far I think these are the right fit. They are "glove like" without being tight and I do think the 39's would be too big for me since it would be going up quite a fair bit, and that my 4th and 5th toes would slip out of the pockets if I curled them (plus they are generally a bit wider which is a problem for my narrow feet). If I was pushing closer to 9 3/8 though, I think a 39 might have been worth trying. When I put my fingers in to feel the end of the toes, there is a "ridge" there from the pods not present on my other models that could cause a problem if they were too tight/too short! As it is I fall behind the ridge so no problems.