Spyridon LS Sizing Question

[petersmurf]

I'm a male, size 9 1/2 and I order a pair of size 43 Spyridon LS online. My big toe pretty much fit with a 3/4 of space and my pinky toe fit as well. The rest of the toes however did not fit well had about  of inch of space. Also had quite of bit of backspace in the back my of my feet. So what size should I get if I'm a size 9.5? Is there a way of finding the right size without switching to women's size?

Thanks in advance

[nowster]

Ignore traditional shoe sizes and get out the tape measure. Consensus here seems to be that the heel should be snug and your longest toe should be almost touching the end of its pocket.

In conventional shoes you need the extra space at the end as your toes need to flex within the shoe. With VFFs, the pockets flex with the toes so extra space is not needed.

[JustinB]

I am a size 10.5 in conventional shoes and I wear a 43, you definitely ordered way too long if you have 3/4" of space in your big toe, the tip of your toe should be as flush as possible.  If you go to a retailer that carries Vibrams, they should have the measuring tool provided to them or you could measure yourself and use the sizing chart on vibrams (and this) site.

[monkeyshoes]

I agree with nowster, if you wear them like that, they can produce blisters and will not be a smooth or confie experience, measure your feet and guide yourself on that.  If you chose 43, then, it is most likely that you can wear mens in smaller size.
Tell us how you end up.

[Mr. Leigh]

Yes, as the others have indicated you really have to measure your feet.  You cannot just judge by your regular shoe size what your VFF shoe size will be.  A good way to do it is to draw a vertical line and a horizontal line on a piece of paper, envision a cross.  Then put the widest part of your foot across the horizontal line and draw another line horizontally across the longest toe and the heel.  Then you measure from heel to toe and determine your VFF size off of that.

[petersmurf]

OK so I measure from the back of my feet to my big toe and I measured up to about 10". So which size should I be looking for?

[paulr]

If your big toe is the toe furthest away from your heel (ie if it is the longest toe) then according to Vibram you are a size 39

http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/size_fit/

[petersmurf]

Well since they don't have them in size 39, I'll exchange my pair size 43 for a size 40. Which is 10 3/4.

[acc]

Size 40 is actually more like 10.25"

I know because my feet are between that and 10.5" and they feel tight in the M40 spyridon which doesn't stretch. Vibram recommends going up a size if you're between sizes.

Wear socks for 0.125 or 0.25" extra if size M40 doesn't work. If you go with women's sizes the sole is less wide.

[petersmurf]

Just received my size 40 spyridon ls and first thing I noticed is how difficult it is putting these shoes on as oppose to the 43's I had. Also, I don't even have to twist or pull the tab as they fit pretty tight. Both my pinky and big toe are pretty much touching the tip. The rest still have a little bit of space. I am going to test  these for a while to see how they turn out.

[toh-shu]

Just received my size 40 spyridon ls and first thing I noticed is how difficult it is putting these shoes on as oppose to the 43's I had. Also, I don't even have to twist or pull the tab as they fit pretty tight. Both my pinky and big toe are pretty much touching the tip. The rest still have a little bit of space. I am going to test  these for a while to see how they turn out.

It sounds like you got one size too small now...with the laces it should be fairly easy to get on, then you can tighten them to get a good fit. If the laces are already stretched out and tight when you put them on then it sounds too small. As far as the length goes, you might be alright, but your feet swell up when you are on them for a while, so it may get tighter and you may even lose some length. If they are too short eventually you will be ramming your longest toes into the end of the pockets and it will be very uncomfortable. I honestly think a 41 might have been your best bet, getting socks REALLY helps fill out looser fitting shoes. Good luck with the 40s, and I hope they turn out to be the right size for you!

[acc]

Measure your feet at the end of the day or after a run. Also, if you wear socks you need to account for the thickness, wearing socks feels VERY tight after a half mile.