Men’s shoe sizes smaller than a 40 are considered small sizes. There tends to be little on offer in this size range. Cobblers and unisex shoe models can provide additional options.
A 2002 study by the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that, on average, humans are now 22 centimetres taller than they were a century ago. In other words, we tower a full head above our great-grandparents. One might therefore be tempted to assume that modern human feet are also larger, and that small size shoes are a thing of the past. However, those are mistaken assumptions. Nowadays, there are greater numbers of shoes at either extreme of the spectrum, from small sizes to large sizes, than ever before. Researchers have been unable to determine the cause of this.
Shoe sizes under 40 are considered small sizes
Shoes smaller than a size 40 are considered small size shoes. Those who require these sizes will only find limited options in standard shoe stores, since most manufacturers only produce shoes in the 40 to 47 size range. Shoe firms feel that it’s simply not profitable enough to produce shoes in sizes that fall outside of this range. However, an increasing number of individuals require sizes on the extreme ends of the spectrum. Nowadays, the Internet can bring customers in direct contact with shopkeepers; the latter have received a starkly increased demand for large and small sizes from the former. Consequently, large size shoes are steadily increasing in availability. Nevertheless, options in the small size range remain slim, lagging far behind average size range availability.
Customization and women’s/unisex models broaden the range of small size shoe options
Does the above mean that small shoe size-wearers can’t wear high-quality men’s shoes? Not at all. Well-trained master shoemakers are happy to put their skills to the test and whip up a pair. Naturally, however, custom models are significantly more expensive than store-bought ones. That being said, custom shoes reward their wearer with a perfect fit, which in turn strongly supports foot health. Moreover, Goodyear-welted men’s shoes also last much longer than their mass-produced counterparts.
There’s another option available for men with small feet: unisex varieties of Goodyear-welted women’s shoes. These are available starting at a size 33 or 34 and offer a perfect fit for men and women alike; the lasts from which they’re made aren’t specially designed for women. They’re the same as men’s shoe lasts, just on a smaller scale.
Additional shoe fit categories
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