Fit Guide
What is the best way to find out my shoe size?
The best way to find your size is to go to one of our ECCO stores. You can find the one nearest to you by using the Storelocator. Our store staff will measure your exact shoe size. What can you do at home?
A simple method to determine your size is to measure the length of your foot from heel to toe. To do that you will need a piece of paper, a pencil or pen, a ruler and preferably a friend helping you out. Wear the type of socks or stockings you normally would wear with the shoes you plan to purchase. Draw a straight line on the paper longer than your foot. If you do it alone, you might want to pin the paper down to the floor by using tape. Place your foot on the line and make sure the line runs through the middle of your foot. The line should run through your longest toe and down to the heel. Step firmly down on the paper and trace the outline of your foot (this is where a little help from a friend comes in handy). Hold the pencil or pen upright and perpendicular to the paper. The intersection points between the outline and the line marks the length. You can now measure this length with a ruler or measuring tape. Repeat the process on the other foot. Always choose the longest measurement to determine your size. Compare your measurement to the ECCO Fit Guide.
Note: The FitGuide is only a guideline. If you have any doubts contact our customer support.
What about the width?
ECCO's line of shoes utilizes a unique type of fit. Due to this our shoes are able to to fit a very wide variety of feet. ECCO's fit from heel to instep (not to the ball of the foot). We refer to this as the ECCO "Freedom Fit". Conventional shoes fit across the width of your feet at the toes. This restricts the natural spreading of your toes under the pressure of walking. This "Freedom Fit" allows the toes to move freely as you walk.
I already have ECCO shoes, how can I examine that they really fit?
Examine the basic checkpoints to ensure a proper fit. Always consider the type of hosiery you will be wearing during use. This can alter fit and overall comfort. Once you have the shoes on both feet and stand up, check the following:
- Shoe length. The first area to inspect is the overall shoe length. The recommended toe room allows about a half inch (1 cm) of space between the longest toe and the end of the shoe (about a thumbnail). Toes should never touch in the end.
- Tightness of the shoes in the ball of the foot and instep area. Pinch a little area of the upper material. The upper should not be skin tight in most styles.
- Heel fit. The heel in an ECCO shoe is designed to fit snugly. This should not be confused with a tight fit. It is normal for our shoes to have ample room for your toes to wiggle. This is due to the roomy toe box (during normal wear). There should be no slipping while walking.
- Finally walk on a hard floor or firm surface. This will allow you to experience the ECCO fit and comfort features in our shoes. You should be able to walk smoothly and effortlessly without feeling unsteady or unbalanced.
A perfect fit is impossible to achieve in every scenario. There are millions of different types of foot shapes, widths, and sizes. In addition, feet tend to swell throughout the day and change over time. A shoe you bought five years ago might not fit your foot in the same way today. It is always a good idea to have your feet measured regularly.
What if the shoe does not fit?
If the shoes do not fit, the first consideration is whether or not the length is correct. After checking this, keep these guidelines in mind:
- If the heel slips whilst your laces are properly tied, add a second (generic) inlay sole under the inlay sole already in the shoe. This will raise the foot into the instep where the shoe is designed to fit.
- Another option is to increase the volume inside the shoe by using a thinner insole. Replacing a 5 mm. insole with a 3 mm insole will increase the volume in the shoe about half a shoe size.
- The ball of the foot should fit into the widest part of the shoe. If the shoe doesn't fit or break properly, you may need to go with a longer or shorter size.
- If the shoe is excessively tight in the frontal area, try going up a size. Due to the ECCO unique fit, a larger shoe will provide added toe room yet still fit snugly in the heel area avoiding slippage.
- Make sure you are lacing your shoes according to your foot type. Many shoes come "bar-laced" indicated by the horizontal lacing style. This may not be ideal for a wider foot so try re-lacing the shoe with the standard crossing manner. It is always a good idea to completely remove the laces when fitting a new shoe. Lace the shoe whilst on your foot.
