How to Size Pearl Izumi Shoes

Pearl Izumi makes a range of clothing and footwear for outdoor sports, including footwear for running and bicycling; these products are frequently seen in use by professional cyclists, runners and triathletes. With lines for both men and women, the company uses American sizing for its running shoes while the bicycling shoes are sized in the Euro standard. The Euro standard is sized in centimeters and can be confusing to those not used to the measurements. In addition to standard sizes, Pearl Izumi also offers shoes in wide sizes.

Instructions

  1. Running Shoes

    • 1

      Measure your foot size. Perform the measuring in the late afternoon as this allows your foot time to naturally swell, allowing for a more accurate sizing. Visit to a sporting goods store that sells Pearl Izumi products and have the shop employee size your foot with a measuring device. Be sure to have the employee measure for width as well as length.

    • 2

      Try on Pearl Izumi shoes relevant to your running style in your measured size. Confirm that the shoes have 1/4 to 1/2 inches of room in the toe-box, as well as that the mid-shoe does not constrict the foot.

    • 3

      Purchase the Pearl Izumi shoes with your proper fit according to the measured foot size and the PI American shoe size. For example, if your foot was measured as 9 1/2 D, select a pair of Pearl Izumi shoes sized 9 1/2 D.

    Cycling Shoes

    • 4

      Have the foot measured. The cycling shoes are not offered in widths, so concentrate on the foot length measurement. Recognize that Pearl Izumi cycling shoes tend to run small, so when sizing the shoe to your foot, begin trying on Pearl Izumi shoes one half size larger than your measurement.

    • 5

      Learn the shoe size in the Euro standard, measured in centimeters. For example, most European adult sizes start at size 38 and go to size 48. For conversion between European and American sizes, use Pearl Izumi's conversion chart (see Resources).

    • 6

      Walk at least five to ten steps in the cycling shoes and check for toe strikes at the toe-box. A properly sized Pearl Izumi cycling shoe fits snugly like a glove but is not so tight that your toes crunch against the end of the shoe.

    • 7

      Sit on a trainer bicycle or your bicycle if possible; many cycling stores have tester cycles to try the shoes. Spin the pedals and feel for toe crunch.