How to Measure Your Feet for Rep Sneakers (Get the Right Size)

Last updated: March 2026 By the FINDS team — ordered 100+ pairs and learned the hard way

TL;DR – Quick Sizing Method

1. Measure your foot length in cm (instructions below)
2. Add 0.5-1.0cm for comfort
3. Match to the insole length on the seller's size chart
4. If between sizes, go up

Or use the insole trick: Pull the insole out of shoes that fit you, measure it in cm, and order that insole length.

Why Getting Your Size Right Matters More with Reps

With retail purchases, getting the wrong size is annoying but fixable — you return them to the store. With reps ordered through an agent, the wrong size means:

• Return shipping within China (3-7 days + possible fee)
• Waiting for a new pair (another 3-5 days to ship to warehouse)
• New QC photos (another 1-2 days)
• Total delay: 7-14 days, plus the hassle

Or worse, you do not realize the size is wrong until after international shipping, at which point returns are essentially impossible. You are stuck with shoes that do not fit.

Taking 5 minutes to measure properly saves you all of this. Let us do it right.

Method 1: Measure Your Foot Length (The Standard Way)

This is the most straightforward method and works well for most people.

What You Need

• A piece of paper (A4 or letter size)
• A pen or pencil
• A ruler or tape measure (in centimeters)
• A hard, flat surface

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare

• Put on the type of socks you will wear with the sneakers (thin athletic socks are standard)
• Place the paper on a hard floor (not carpet)
• Stand on the paper with your weight evenly distributed on both feet

Step 2: Mark the Heel

• Have someone mark where your heel ends at the back of your foot
• If you are doing this alone, position the paper against a wall and press your heel against the wall

Step 3: Mark the Longest Toe

• Have someone mark where your longest toe ends
• This is usually the big toe, but for some people it is the second toe
• Make sure you are pressing your toes flat, not curling them

Step 4: Measure

• Remove your foot and measure the distance between the two marks in centimeters
• Measure both feet — they are often slightly different sizes
• Use the larger foot measurement as your reference

Step 5: Add Comfort Room

• Add 0.5cm for a snug fit
• Add 1.0cm for a comfortable, standard fit
• Add 1.5cm if you prefer a roomy fit or plan to wear thick socks

Example

• Your foot measures 27.0cm
• Add 1.0cm for comfort = 28.0cm
• Look for insole length of 28.0cm on the seller's size chart
• This typically corresponds to EU 44 or US 10

Method 2: The Insole Measurement Trick (The Best Way)

This is our recommended method because it eliminates guesswork. Instead of measuring your foot and adding comfort room, you measure an insole from shoes that already fit you perfectly.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Find a Well-Fitting Shoe

• Pick a pair of sneakers that fits you exactly how you like
• Ideally a similar style to what you are ordering (low-top for low-tops, etc.)
• The shoe should be one you have worn and confirmed fits well

Step 2: Remove the Insole

• Pull out the removable insole from the shoe
• If the insole is glued in, use the paper foot tracing method instead

Step 3: Measure the Insole

• Place the insole on a flat surface
• Measure from the very back (heel) to the very front (toe) in centimeters
• Measure at the longest point

Step 4: Match to Size Chart

• Find the insole length on the seller's size chart that matches your measurement
• If your insole is 27.5cm, look for a size with a 27.5cm insole

Why This Method Is Superior

• It accounts for your personal fit preference — If you like a roomy fit, your insole is already longer. If you like snug, it is already snug.
• It accounts for sock thickness — Your well-fitting shoe already factors in the socks you wear
• No math required — No adding comfort room or converting between systems
• Direct comparison — You are comparing insole to insole, the most apples-to-apples measurement possible

Common Insole Measurements by US Size

Method 3: Use Your Known Size with Adjustment

If you know your retail size in a specific brand, you can use that as a starting point with some adjustments:

Nike / Jordan Reps

• Most quality reps are TTS (True to Size) to retail Nike/Jordan
• If you wear US 10 in retail Nike, order EU 44 in reps
• Some budget batches run 0.5 size small — if in doubt, go half up

Adidas / Yeezy Reps

• Adidas reps are generally TTS
• Yeezy 350: Order half size up from your Adidas size (they run narrow and snug)
• Yeezy 700: TTS
• Ultraboost: TTS

New Balance Reps

• Generally TTS to retail New Balance
• Some reps run slightly narrow — if you have wide feet, go half up

Dunk / Air Force 1 Reps

• Dunks: TTS to retail Nike
• Air Force 1: Many people go half down in retail AF1s. If you half-down for retail, order your regular size in reps (or half down if you know the batch runs large)

Converse / Vans Style Reps

• These run large in retail and reps. Go half to full size down from your Nike size.

Understanding Half Sizes in Rep Sneakers

Half sizes are a common source of confusion with rep sneakers. Here is what you need to know:

Not All Reps Come in Half Sizes

Many Chinese sellers only produce whole sizes (EU 40, 41, 42, 43, 44). If you are a half size (US 9.5 = EU 43), you may need to choose between 43 and 44.

Rule: When half sizes are not available, go up to the next whole size. It is better to have a slightly roomy shoe than one that is too tight. You can always add a thicker insole or wear thicker socks.

When Half Sizes Are Available

Higher-quality batches often come in half sizes. If the listing offers your exact half size, order it. This is one advantage of mid-to-high-tier reps over budget batches.

Half Size Tips

• If you are a solid half size (like exactly US 9.5), prioritize sellers who offer half sizes
• If you could go either way (like you fit both US 9.5 and 10), go with the whole size for more options
• For shoes you plan to wear with thin socks (summer sneakers), the smaller size is often fine
• For shoes you plan to wear with thick socks (boots, winter shoes), go with the larger size

Special Considerations for Different Foot Types

Wide Feet

If you have wide feet (D width or wider), standard Chinese shoe sizing may feel narrow. Adjustments:

• Size up 0.5-1.0 size from your normal size
• Look for shoe models known to be wider (Air Force 1, Dunk, most New Balance models)
• Avoid narrow models (Yeezy 350, some Jordans with narrow toe boxes)
• Request QC photos that show the width of the shoe
• The insole measurement trick accounts for width partially, but you may still need to go up

Narrow Feet

If you have narrow feet, you might actually fit Chinese shoes better than Western ones, since they tend to run narrower:

• TTS is usually fine
• You might even be able to go down a half size for a snug fit
• Models with lacing systems (most sneakers) can be tightened to fit narrower feet

Flat Feet / High Arches

Rep sneakers generally do not have the same arch support technology as retail. If you have flat feet or high arches:

• Buy aftermarket insoles to put in your rep sneakers
• Size up 0.5 to accommodate thicker custom insoles
• The insole measurement should account for the insole you plan to use

Different-Sized Feet

If your feet are different sizes (common — most people have a slight difference):

• Always order for your larger foot
• Use a thin insole in the shoe for your smaller foot to take up slack
• If the difference is more than 0.5 size, consider ordering two different sizes (some sellers accommodate this)

How to Verify Size After QC Photos

When your sneakers arrive at the warehouse, you can verify the size before shipping:

Check the Size Tag

• QC photos usually include the size tag inside the shoe
• Verify it shows the size you ordered
• Check the insole length listed on the tag (some shoes print this)

Request Insole Measurement Photo

• Ask your agent to measure the insole
• They will pull out the insole and photograph it next to a ruler
• Compare to your known insole measurement
• This costs $0.50-1.00 but is the most reliable size verification

Request Outsole Measurement

• If the insole is not removable, ask for an outsole measurement
• The outsole is slightly longer than the insole (by about 1-1.5cm)
• Account for this difference when comparing

For more on the QC process, including what else to check beyond sizing, read our QC guide.

Shoe-Specific Sizing Charts

Nike Dunk Low

Air Jordan 1

Yeezy 350 V2 (Size Up 0.5)

New Balance 550

Common Sizing Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Using US Size Without Checking CM

US sizes vary between brands. Your US 10 in Nike is not the same as US 10 in New Balance. Always convert to centimeters using the methods above.

Mistake 2: Not Measuring Both Feet

Your feet are likely different sizes. Always measure both and order for the larger one.

Mistake 3: Measuring on Carpet

Carpet compresses under your feet and gives inaccurate readings. Always measure on a hard, flat surface.

Mistake 4: Measuring at the Wrong Time of Day

Feet swell throughout the day. Measure in the afternoon or evening for the most accurate reading.

Mistake 5: Not Accounting for Socks

If you measure barefoot and order based on that measurement, your shoes will feel tight when you wear socks. Always measure wearing the socks you plan to use.

Mistake 6: Ordering the Same Size for Every Style

Different shoe styles fit differently. A low-top sneaker, a high-top basketball shoe, and a running shoe all have different fits even at the same size. Use the insole trick for each style.

For more on sizing conversions, including clothing, check our Chinese size chart guide. And for tips on sizing up for oversized fits, see our oversized fit guide.

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