Buying Shoes Online: How to Get the Size and Material Right

October 16, 2026|Al Tijarah International

Shoes are the hardest thing to buy online, because the same number means different things in different systems and a pair that is half a size out will be uncomfortable every time you wear it. Here is what to check before you order.

Start with the length of your foot

Do not go by the size written inside your current shoes. Measure instead, and do it in the evening, because feet swell through the day and an evening measurement is closer to how the shoe will actually be worn.

Put a sheet of paper on a hard floor against a wall.
Stand on it with your heel touching the wall, wearing the socks you would normally wear.
Mark the paper at the end of your longest toe. That is not always the big toe.
Measure from the edge at the wall to the mark, in centimetres.
Do both feet and use the larger number. Most people have one foot slightly bigger.

Now compare that centimetre figure to the one on the listing. Centimetres are the only measurement that means the same thing everywhere — UK, EU and US numbers do not line up neatly, which is why our shoe size conversion chart exists.

Width matters as much as length

Most listings give length only, but a shoe that is the right length and too narrow will still hurt. If you know you have a wide foot, favour fabric uppers and lace-ups over rexine slip-ons, because fabric gives and rexine does not.

What the upper is made of

Mesh and knitted fabric. Lightest and coolest, which matters a great deal in a Pakistani summer. Breathes well, stretches slightly to your foot, less protection from rain and dust.
Rexine and synthetic leather. Wipes clean, holds its shape, keeps light rain out. Does not breathe, so it is warmer to wear.
Leather. Most durable and the most formal. Needs a few wearings to soften, and does not like being soaked.
Canvas. Light and casual, cheap to replace, offers little support for long walking.

The sole tells you what the shoe is for

A thick moulded sole with visible cushioning is built for walking and standing. A flat thin sole is a casual shoe and will feel hard after a few hours. If you will be on your feet most of the day, the sole matters more than the upper.

Look at the tread too. A smooth sole is fine indoors and on dry pavement, and treacherous on wet tile — worth thinking about if you are buying for an older family member.

Closure

Laces. Most adjustable, best if your feet are an unusual shape.
Slip-on. Convenient, but there is no adjustment if the fit is slightly off.
Velcro. Easiest for children and for anyone who finds laces awkward.

When the shoes arrive

Try them on indoors, on a clean floor, in the evening, with the socks you intend to wear. Walk around for a few minutes. You want about a thumb's width between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. If they are wrong, tell us within seven days and keep them clean and unworn outdoors so a replacement can be arranged.