founded 1964
Eugene, Oregon, USA
- Head office
- Beaverton, Oregon, USA
- Ownership
- Nike Inc. · NYSE: NKE
Models listed: 2
The brands
Who’s who among the makers: when and where each brand began, which of its technologies I explain, and where to read its story. Below that, a size chart giving the foot length behind each UK size.
founded 1949
Herzogenaurach, Germany
- Head office
- Herzogenaurach, Germany
- Ownership
- adidas AG · XETRA: ADS
Models listed: 1
Technologies I explain
From the blog
Adidas: history and innovation since 1949
founded 1949
Kobe, Japan
- Head office
- Kobe, Japan
- Ownership
- ASICS Corp. · Tokyo: 7936
Models listed: 1
Technologies I explain
founded 2009
Annecy, France
- Head office
- Goleta, California, USA
- Ownership
- through Deckers · NYSE: DECK
Models listed: 1
Technologies I explain
From the blog
Hoka: how the oversized midsole became the standard
founded 2010
Zurich, Switzerland
- Head office
- Zurich, Switzerland
- Ownership
- On Holding AG · NYSE: ONON
Models listed: 1
founded 1947
Annecy, France
- Head office
- Annecy, France
- Ownership
- through Amer Sports · NYSE: AS
Models listed: 1
Technologies I explain
From the blog
Salomon: from Alpine skis to the high street
founded 1898
Kutztown, Pennsylvania, USA
- Head office
- Waltham, Massachusetts, USA
- Ownership
- through Wolverine World Wide · NYSE: WWW
Models listed: 1
Technologies I explain
founded 1914
Philadelphia, USA
- Head office
- Seattle, Washington, USA
- Ownership
- through Berkshire Hathaway · NYSE: BRK.B
Models listed: none yet
Technologies I explain
founded 1906
Boston, USA
- Head office
- Boston, USA
- Ownership
- family owned, not listed
Models listed: none yet
Technologies I explain
founded 1948
Herzogenaurach, Germany
- Head office
- Herzogenaurach, Germany
- Ownership
- PUMA SE · XETRA: PUM
Models listed: none yet
Technologies I explain
founded 1958
Bolton, England
- Head office
- Boston, USA
- Ownership
- owned by Authentic Brands Group
Models listed: none yet
Technologies I explain
founded 1992
Manhattan Beach, USA
- Head office
- Manhattan Beach, USA
- Ownership
- taken private in 2025
Models listed: none yet
Technologies I explain
—
From the blog
Skechers: from rebel boots to comfortWhich size fits which foot
A UK size is a barleycorn measure: one size is a third of an inch, counted from the length of the last. The last is your foot plus about 1.5 cm of room, which is the same allowance the European number is built on — so both columns come from one measurement. Measure the foot, not the insole: stand on a sheet of paper, in the evening, wearing the sock you will run in.
| Foot | UK | EU | Foot | UK | EU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22.0 cm | 3 | 35 | 26.5 cm | 8 | 42 |
| 22.5 cm | 3.5 | 36 | 27.0 cm | 8.5 | 43 |
| 23.0 cm | 4 | 37 | 27.5 cm | 9.5 | 43.5 |
| 23.5 cm | 4.5 | 37.5 | 28.0 cm | 10 | 44 |
| 24.0 cm | 5 | 38 | 28.5 cm | 10.5 | 45 |
| 24.5 cm | 5.5 | 39 | 29.0 cm | 11 | 46 |
| 25.0 cm | 6.5 | 40 | 29.5 cm | 11.5 | 46.5 |
| 25.5 cm | 7 | 40.5 | 30.0 cm | 12 | 47 |
| 26.0 cm | 7.5 | 41 |
- The UK number is one scale. Men's and women's shoes use the same barleycorn count — what differs between them is the shape of the last, not the number. The US scale is the one that shifts by sex.
- The 1.5 cm of room is already inside the number. For running, some makers suggest going half a size up, because the foot spreads under load.
- Width and last shape vary by brand and by model. This is a starting point, not a substitute for trying them on.
- Sizing varies by manufacturer. The same number from two brands can come out a few millimetres apart, and some use their own lasts and steps. Small departures from this table are normal and expected.