How Should Your Sandals Fit? A Guide to Salt-Water Sandals Fitting

How should Salt-Water Sandals fit?

Getting the right size for Salt-Water Sandals is crucial, and while the perfect fit ultimately depends on your personal preference and foot structure, we’ve written this blog post to serve as your sandals fitting guide. Our goal is to provide you with a correct sandal fit guide by answering frequently asked questions about sandal sizing and sharing tips on how to fit sandals better. Read on for our comprehensive sandal fit guide to help you find your perfect pair of Salt-Water Sandals!

In a nutshell we advise the following 6 points but do read on below the list for more detail:

• 1 We recommend toes should sit just behind the stitch line.
• 2 A snug fit at the back is optimum; you don’t want your heel to be hanging over the back of the sole.
• 3 If at first your sandals feel tight across your foot, gently pull the leather straps in opposite directions to help to loosen them.
• 4 As with all of our sandals the leather will 'give' naturally over time but they can be worn in water, and then allowed to air dry to help speed up the process.
• 5 We recommend that you shop the size in the international sizes you are used to purchasing. On our website you have a choice of shopping in UK, EU, US or in "Salt-Water Sizing" (Salt-Water Sizing date back to our inception in the 1940's and is the number stamped on the sole).
• 6 Children's sandals should not be bought purposefully larger in order to make the sandal last longer, if you size up too high your child may trip over a sole that is too long at the front.
  
  

Are Shoe and Sandal Sizes the Same?

Many people wonder, "are sandals and shoes the same size?" or "is sandal size the same as shoe size?" While shoe size vs sandal size can differ slightly, understanding the correct size is important. If you read further, you'll learn how to fit our sandals better. Remember, it’s important to use the international sizing you’re comfortable with.

There shouldn't be much difference between shoe and sandal sizes, but it's best to follow the guidelines provided by Salt-Water Sandals and make an informed decision from there.

How should sandals fit in the front?

• Just behind or on the stitch line.

Looking at our Salt-Water sandals you will see a stitched line running all around towards the outer edge of the sole bed. Where should your toes be in sandals? We recommend that your toes come either just on or just behind this stitched line, but not over it.

We use very traditional methods to construct our Salt-Waters. It is called little-way stitching. Each sole is hand stitched to the upper vamps (straps) that make the upper part of the sandal. A little bit of gum (glue) is used to hold the lining & straps in place whilst the sole is stitched on but it is the tough thread running all the way through the sole and along the channel that keeps your shoe together.

How should sandals fit in the back?

• Snug but not hanging over the back of the sole. Take your toes up to the stitch line to create any extra space needed at  the heel.

A snug fit at the back is optimum; you don’t want your heel to be hanging over the back of the sole. Salt-Water Sandals are designed to fit close at the heel. Remember to take your toes all the way to the stitch mark to create any extra space needed at the heel.

Do Salt-Water Sandals stretch?

Both Sun-San Sandals (the soft sole range) and Salt-Water Sandals are made from 100% leather and coated with a water resistant sealant. Wondering should your sandals feel tight or loose? Or if your Salt-Water Sandals should run big? If at first your sandals feel tight across your foot we advise that you gently pull the leather straps in opposite directions as this will help to loosen them up.

• Sandals should feel comfortable but not tight.
• If feeling a little tight try gently pulling the leather in opposite directions to help loosen them up.
• Try wearing them wet! When dampened, the leather will soften and stretch where it needs to, and ultimately mould to your feet. 

Yes! You can also get them wet! Either run them under a tap or paddle into the shallows and wear them until dry. The leather will soften and stretch where it needs to, and ultimately mould to your feet. Your Salties should feel comfortable but not tight.

Read our Blog Post offering tips on how to make Salt-Water Sandals even more comfortable here.

Are Salt-Water Sandals good for narrow feet?

• Shop our selection recommended for narrower feet here.

For the narrower foot The Classic and The Classic Slide has an adjustable front buckle that makes it ideal for adjusting to get the perfect fit.

The Retro Slide, with its intricate woven design, has a narrower fit & covers more of your foot than the Salt-Water Original.

It's important to know how slide sandals should fit when you're considering these styles. Some customers try a size up in the Retro Slide or the Classic Slide because we did design these so that our customers with narrower feet had an option. As with all Salt-Waters, you want your toes sitting just behind or on the stitched line at the front and your heel to be just inside or on the stitched line at the back.

The Shark Originals (our closed toe Fisherman Sandal) also fit slightly narrower so is another great flat sandal option for narrower feet.

As with all of our sandals the leather will 'give' naturally over time and can be worn in water to help speed up the process.

Are Salt-Water Sandals good for wide feet?

• Shop our selection recommended for wider feet here.

The Salt-Water Original (our signature sandals with a plaited leather front) is a roomy flat leather sandal and fits comfortably wide. It can fit a little shallower. Those with a high instep may prefer The Classic. 

The Classic and Classic Slide styles both buckle over the foot so can be adjusted for a wider & deeper fit, making it an ideal choice for customers looking for an adjustable sandal.

Do Salt-Water Sandals run big/small? Should I size up in Sandals?

We recommend that you shop the size in the international sizes you are used to purchasing. On our website you have a choice of shopping in UK, EU, US or in "Salt-Water Sizing*"

*NB: Salt-Water Sizing date back to our inception in the 1940's."Salt-Water Sizing" is the number stamped on the sole and not typical US sizing. Salt-Water Sizing dates back to our inception in the 1940's. These moulds were designed in the 40’s and are a little quirky!

You will notice that we have printed all International sizes on the shoe boxes. We list UK, EU, US, and our “Salt-Water” sole number. 

For half sizes, we recommend you choose the nearest whole size.

For specific notes on the various styles please see our style guide and size charts here.

What size should I buy my child?

From the Salt-Water range there are 4 styles that come in kids and youth sizes. These are the Original, the Classic, the Retro and the Shark Original.

From the Sun-San range with a softer, spongier sole we have 6 styles for children.
These are the Seawee and Sailor (built for our tiniest toddlers), Sweetheart, Shark, The Surfer, and The Swimmer

Shop the full range of our Children's Sandals here.

We recommend shopping the correct size in the international sizing you are used to purchasing. On our website you have a choice of shopping in UK, EU, US or our traditional "Salt-Water Sizing".

Please note that kids shoes should not be bought purposefully larger in order to make the sandal last longer, the traditional fit of this brand is pretty roomy. If you size up too high your child may trip over a sole that is too long at the front.

For further reading on this subject consider our other blog posts:

1. The Most Comfortable and Stylish Leather Sandals here.
2. Five Comfortable Leather Sandals Styles for Kids and Toddlers here. 
3. Salt-Water Sandals for Different Occasions - A Style Guide here.  
4. The Best Sandals for Wider Feet here. 
5. The Best Sandals for Travel and Walking here.  
6. Are Leather Sandals Good For Your Feet here. 
7. Tap into The Fisherman Sandals Trend here.