Finding the Perfect Shoe Size: What Is the Paris Point and How Is It Calculated?
We all know the feeling: a shoe looks fantastic, but after a few hours it pinches and squeezes in all the wrong places. Choosing the right shoe size is not just a matter of comfort but also of foot health. Especially for shoes we wear daily—whether it's the comfortable clog for everyday use or the warm felt slipper in the evening—the perfect fit is essential.
But how do you find the exact right size? This is where a term comes into play that has set the standard in the shoe industry for centuries: the Paris Point.
What Exactly Is the Paris Point?
Although you might sometimes see the colloquial term “Pariser Strich,” the correct technical term is Paris Point. This measurement system was introduced around 1800 in France and has become the European standard for manufacturing shoe lasts and shoe sizes.
One Paris Point equals 2/3 centimeters (approximately 6.67 mm). So, if you buy a shoe in EU size 42, historically this means the inside length of the shoe is 42 Paris Points long.
How to Calculate Your Shoe Size Correctly
To determine your EU shoe size, simply measuring your foot is not enough. When walking, your foot slides slightly forward inside the shoe with each step. Therefore, a so-called rolling space (also called allowance) of about 1.5 cm must be added to the actual foot length.
The mathematical formula to calculate the EU size is:
Step-by-Step Guide: Measuring Your Feet Correctly
To ensure the formula gives accurate results, keep the following points in mind when measuring:
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Choose the right time: Feet tend to swell slightly during the day due to activity. Therefore, it’s best to measure your feet in the afternoon or evening.
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Wear socks: When measuring, wear the type of socks you plan to wear with the shoes later.
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Use paper and pen: Stand with both feet on a sheet of paper and trace around them with a pen. Keep the pen as vertical as possible.
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Measure the longest point: Now measure the distance from the heel to the longest toe.
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The longer foot counts: For almost everyone, one foot is slightly larger than the other. Always use the measurement of the longer foot for the Paris Point calculation.
Why the Right Size Is So Important for Natural Materials
Especially for high-quality models, such as the popular Haflinger shoes made from pure wool felt or with ergonomic cork footbeds, the correct size plays a crucial role.
Natural materials adapt wonderfully over time to the individual shape of the foot. However, for the anatomically shaped footbed to support exactly the right areas (such as the arch), the base size must be determined precisely using the Paris Point method. A shoe that is too small squeezes the toes together, while a shoe that is too large reduces heel support, which over time leads to improper strain.
Our tip: Use our size charts directly on the product pages. Once you have determined your foot length in centimeters, you can easily see which size is ideal for each model.
