Shoe size is a simple profile measure that can provide useful context for movement assessment, balance testing, running, jumping, sport participation and footwear discussions. It is not a performance test, but it can help create a more complete picture of the client and their testing environment.
Recording shoe size can be helpful when footwear may influence movement, grip, comfort, balance, landing mechanics or lower-limb testing. For example, footwear may matter when reviewing hop testing, running drills, change-of-direction tasks, balance assessments or workplace movement tasks.
However, shoe size should be interpreted carefully. Shoe sizing systems vary between countries, brands and shoe models. A client may wear one size in running shoes, another size in casual shoes and another size again in work boots. Shoe size also does not always match foot length or width precisely.
For this reason, Measurz should record shoe size as practical profile information rather than a clinical or performance score. If accurate foot size is important, direct foot length and width measurement should be recorded alongside the reported shoe size.
Shoe size recording involves documenting the client’s usual footwear size and the sizing system used.
Examples include:
AU men’s 10
AU women’s 8
UK 9
US men’s 10.5
US women’s 8.5
EU 42
Running shoe size
Work boot size
Sport-specific footwear size
Shoe size can be self-reported by the client, taken from the shoe label or supported by direct foot measurement. The most useful approach is to record both the shoe size and the sizing system, because a number on its own can be confusing.
For example, “size 9” is incomplete unless it is clear whether this refers to AU, UK, US men’s, US women’s or another sizing system.
Shoe size may be used to:
Add footwear information to the client profile
Support running, jumping, balance or movement testing context
Record sport-specific footwear details
Record work footwear or safety boot details
Support equipment setup
Add context to foot and ankle assessment
Track whether footwear changes between sessions
Support client education around footwear fit
Record left-right size differences where relevant
Improve consistency when testing is performed in shoes
Shoe size can be particularly useful when the same client is tested across different footwear conditions. For example, balance or hop results may differ between barefoot testing, running shoes, work boots and sport-specific shoes.
Shoe size is an indirect footwear size label. It may relate to foot length, but it is not the same as a direct foot measurement.
Shoe size may provide information about:
Usual footwear size
Footwear system used
Footwear type
Potential equipment or shoe-fit considerations
Sport or work footwear context
Whether shoe size differs between left and right feet
Whether shoe size differs across shoe types
It does not directly measure:
Foot length with precision
Foot width
Arch height
Foot strength
Foot function
Balance
Gait quality
Injury risk
Footwear fit on its own
Readiness for sport, work or activity
Shoe size is best used as supporting information, not as a stand-alone assessment result.
To record shoe size in Measurz, you may need:
Measurz app
Client’s reported shoe size
The client’s current footwear if available
Sizing system information, such as AU, UK, US or EU
Optional foot measuring device
Optional ruler or measuring board for foot length
Optional width measurement tool
Notes field for footwear brand, model, type and fit
If direct foot measurement is required, a dedicated foot measuring device or standardised measuring board is preferred over estimating from shoe size alone.
Start by asking the client what size they usually wear.
Record the size exactly as reported, including the sizing system.
For example:
“AU men’s 10”
“US women’s 8”
“EU 42”
“UK 9”
If the client is unsure, check the size label inside their shoe if appropriate.
Shoe size may differ depending on the footwear type.
Ask whether the recorded size refers to:
Running shoes
Casual shoes
Sport shoes
Work boots
School shoes
Court shoes
Cleats or boots
Orthotic-compatible footwear
This is useful because a client may wear different sizes across different footwear categories.
Always record the sizing system.
A shoe size without a sizing system can be misleading. AU, UK, US and EU systems are not identical, and US men’s and US women’s sizes differ.
Useful examples include:
AU men’s
AU women’s
UK
US men’s
US women’s
EU
Youth or children’s sizing
Some clients have different-sized feet.
Ask:
“Do you usually wear the same size on both feet, or is one foot noticeably larger?”
If one foot is larger, record this in Measurz.
In most cases, footwear is fitted to the larger foot, but this should be recorded as a note rather than assumed.
If shoe size is important for the assessment, measure foot length directly.
A practical method is:
Ask the client to stand with weight evenly distributed.
Measure both feet if possible.
Measure from the back of the heel to the longest toe.
Record the result in millimetres or centimetres.
Repeat on the other side.
Record whether the left or right foot is longer.
Standing is usually preferred because the foot can lengthen and widen slightly under load.
Shoe size alone does not capture foot width.
If footwear fit is important, record foot width as well.
A practical method is to measure across the widest part of the forefoot while the client is standing.
Record:
Left foot width
Right foot width
Any visible width difference
Whether the client uses wide-fit shoes
Useful footwear notes include:
Shoe size
Sizing system
Shoe type
Brand and model if relevant
Width fitting if known
Orthotic use
Left-right size difference
Foot length if measured
Foot width if measured
Whether testing was barefoot or in shoes
Shoe size is recorded as profile information, not as a score.
Interpretation should consider:
Sizing system
Shoe type
Brand and model
Foot length
Foot width
Left-right differences
Orthotic use
Sock thickness
Sport or work requirements
Whether the client was tested barefoot or in shoes
Whether footwear changed between sessions
A larger shoe size does not mean better performance. A smaller shoe size does not mean poorer performance. Shoe size simply helps document footwear and foot-size context.
If a client’s test results change between sessions, footwear may be one factor to consider. For example, balance or hop results may differ if the client tested once barefoot and once in running shoes.
Shoe size is not a reliable body measurement norm because sizing changes between countries, brands and shoe styles. Foot length, foot width and foot shape are better objective measures. Large foot-scan research shows that foot dimensions vary by sex, region and size, and that shoe scaling is not always consistent across sizes. In Measurz, shoe size can be recorded as useful background information, but foot length and width are better if the goal is accurate measurement or footwear fitting.
Shoe size can be recorded reliably when the sizing system and shoe type are clearly documented.
Reliability improves when you record:
Shoe size
Sizing system
Shoe type
Brand and model
Left-right differences
Whether the client was tested barefoot or in shoes
Foot length and width if measured
Shoe size is less valid as a measure of actual foot size because shoe sizing varies across brands and models. Direct foot length and foot width measurement are more useful when precise foot dimensions are required.
Common errors include:
Recording “size 9” without the sizing system
Mixing AU, UK, US and EU sizes
Not recording whether the size is men’s or women’s
Assuming all brands fit the same
Ignoring shoe width
Ignoring orthotic use
Assuming shoe size equals foot length
Not recording whether testing was barefoot or in shoes
Not recording if footwear changed between sessions
Not measuring both feet when foot size difference is relevant
Limitations include:
Shoe size is not a precise foot measurement
Shoe size varies between brands
Shoe size varies between shoe types
Shoe size does not capture foot width
Shoe size does not measure movement quality
Shoe size does not measure foot strength
Shoe size does not diagnose foot problems
Shoe size should not be used as a performance benchmark
Shoe size recording may be useful for:
Client profiling
Footwear notes
Running assessment context
Hop and jump testing context
Balance testing context
Workplace footwear considerations
Sport-specific footwear tracking
Orthotic and footwear notes
Equipment setup
Repeat testing consistency
Measurz progress reporting
For example, if a client performs a hop test in running shoes during one session and work boots in another, recording footwear details can help explain why results may differ.
When recording shoe size in Measurz, include:
Client name
Test date
Shoe size
Sizing system
Footwear type
Brand and model if relevant
Left-right size difference if present
Foot length if measured
Foot width if measured
Orthotic use if relevant
Whether testing was barefoot or in shoes
Any notes about fit, comfort or footwear changes
For best results, keep footwear notes consistent across sessions. If shoes change between assessments, record the change so the data can be interpreted more clearly.
No. Shoe size may relate to foot length, but it is affected by brand, shoe model, width, sizing system and personal fit preference.
Yes. Always record the sizing system. A shoe size number on its own can be unclear.
Yes, if accurate foot size is important or if the client reports one foot is larger than the other.
No. Shoe size is profile information, not a performance score.
Yes. Footwear may influence comfort, grip, balance, landing and movement tasks.
Yes. This is useful for repeat testing and interpretation.
Measure foot length and width directly, and record those values in Measurz.
Shoe size is useful profile information, not a performance test.
Always record the sizing system, such as AU, UK, US or EU.
Shoe size is not the same as foot length or foot width.
Footwear can affect some movement, balance, hop and jump tests.
There are no useful universal norms for shoe size.
If precise foot dimensions matter, measure foot length and width directly.
Shoe size should be interpreted alongside other Measurz assessment findings.
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