11h ago

I'm 5'7" with size 15 feet. Shoe shopping is a nightmare.

So, I’m a pretty average-height guy—5’7”. Not tall, not short, just… there. My feet, however, did not get the memo. They are gigantic. Size 15. Which means I leave footprints that suggest someone much larger (or possibly Bigfoot) passed through, got spooked, and took off running.

People always comment. First, the double-take. Then: “Whoa. Those are… big.” And finally, the classic: “How do you even find shoes?”

Badly. That’s how.

Shoe shopping for me is like searching for an ancient artifact. Store clerks disappear into the back, only to return shaking their heads, as if I’d asked for a unicorn saddle. “We might have one pair in the back…” And what they bring out is always tragic—some orthopedic dad sneaker the size of a small canoe, usually in a shade best described as “beige disappointment.”

For a while, I tried to hide it. I slouched. I crammed my toes into size 13s like a Victorian woman chasing a terrible beauty standard. I even considered custom shoes—until I saw the price and briefly thought maybe barefoot life isn’t so bad.

But now? I’ve embraced it. I don’t tip over easily. I get extra legroom on buses just by existing. And when people ask about my shoe size, I just smile and say, “Great for swimming.”

155 comments

okay so:
does this make running a problem or are you actually a better runner than the average person? looks like it would be a hindrance but I'm curious
obviously there ara rumors about feet size ... do you find women coming on to you more because of this?

This man cannot be knocked over.
- You sir, are a comedy genius. I couldn’t stop laughing.

where you shoe shopping?
I wear size 16 shoes and never really had a problem finding shoes at places like Footlocker or Famous Footwear.
They don't always have my size in exactly what I'm looking at, but when they don't they've always had it in a similar style/brand.

This looks photoshopped… I’m so sorry. I mean I know it isn’t .. it just looks that way.

Have you ever sold feet pics? You could probably make some money!
- tiger woods would pay

Get the ring to Mordor Mr. Frodo.
- Nothing wrong here. just an oversized hobbit

I want to see you with your shoes off. Might be tiny feet in those shoes.
- Nice try pervert ;-)

LOL. Kind of like clown shoes.

Do not attempt to hide behind a curtain.

Watch out for rakes!
- Hrgmphlrrrgggmmmrrrm...
  
  I heard this comment hahaha
- Been there, done that, got the stitches.

If the rumors are true, if a dude has a foot that size, you can assume he must also have a long, massive sock.
- He might even have two!
- I wear size 16 shoes.
  Trust me when I say, big feet does not mean big anything else.
  It doesnt even mean average anything else.

Shoe shopping for me is like searching for an ancient artifact. Store clerks disappear into the back, only to return shaking their heads, as if I’d asked for a unicorn saddle
Why are you trying to find them in person?
15 isn't ridiculously huge, but anyone over like 13 has known for decades if buying in person you just ask what they have in your size and pick off that. Back in the day that meant going to a store in the hood and buying basketball shoes.
But nowadays you can sort by size online and see much larger collections.
Hell, Oddballshoes.com started well over a decade ago bro... The smallest size they stock is 14.
The reason people comment is your short so it's unexpected, not that your feet are remarkably big.
- People comment because the foot to body length ratio looks weird. Not because he's "short". 5'7 isn't short. It's not tall like someone that's 6'5 but it's not short either.
- because online shoe buying is wasteful and slow unless you get stupendously lucky and get a perfect fit on your first order.
  because X brands size isnt exactly the same as Y brands size. G model from the same brand might run narrower than F model.
  Which ends up in tons of wasted time and energy shipping things back and forth.
  vs going to a shoe store, trying things on, and being done and wearing your new shoes out inside half an hour.
- Wait I'm a size 14 woman and didn't know about that website. Thanks
- I wear size 15s, and I can tell you it's a nightmare. Slightly less so since the Internet made shopping easier.
  Stores don't often stock anything above a 13. Like I've been in so many stores looking for a single pair of shoes, any pair, and found nothing. If you go online and filter by size, you're looking at a 90% reduction in selection as compared to a normal size, say a 10.
  And then, when you do order some shoes, it's 50-50 one company's size 15 will have the same dimensions as the last or next company. I know this may not be a unique problem to big shoes, but it makes it that much more difficult.
  When I was younger and had a much less stable life, that is to say not having a lifestyle that was compatible with online shopping, I'd often go weeks shoving cardboard in my shoes in a feeble attempt to patch the holes in my soles. I still subconsciously avoid puddles and wet spots most people would think nothing of plowing straight through.
  
  And then, when you do order some shoes, it’s 50-50 one company’s size 15 will have the same dimensions as the last or next company. I know this may not be a unique problem to big shoes, but it makes it that much more difficult.
  No, its not unique to shoes... its a major issue across all clothing.
  There are no standards in sizing in anything in clothing. Hell the same company might not even respect its own sizing across batches of the same product, much less across various product lines under its name.
  Its infuriating trying to buy clothes because of it.

lies

I just want to say kudos for the picture. It would have been easy to write this without it, but with it 🤌🏻
- I want to see another pic without shoes on. Anyone can slap some size 15 shoes on their feet for a photo.
  
  Free feet pics on the internet? I hope op is smarter then that
  
  Of course you want to see him barefoot, for science right?

If you wore lifts or high heels you'd be taller and your feet would look smaller. And your butt would look cute! But you'd pay a price in stability.

So are you actually great at swimming?

Well at least you know if they roleboot the LOTR Trilogy you have a solid career path

Did you see the post a couple of months ago about the really tall dude with really small feet?
- They should have a kid together!
  
  They could make either one average sized person with average feet or just a fucking monster who is like 7'6" with size 18s
- @Leggomylego@lemmings.world
  
  https://lemmy.world/post/24739326

You must be so fucking stable. Immovable object
- Way to plant (Anne)!
  
  You may really like Plain, but that's no reason to settle!
  
  Egg?
  
  Who?

I mean… surely there’s an obvious solution?
- Tragically, these are normal sized on the inside
  
  Oh please. You’ll be telling me next that policeman’s heads aren’t this shape either.
  
  So Sideshow Bob might have been innocent?
- It's perfect for him

Bro can ski barefooted.
Seriously though, good on you for owning it, you sound and look like a fun person

On the bright side, I'm sure you occasionally get people insinuating you have a massive hog, right?
- Heh yes that does tend to happen
  
  Well you know what they say about guys with big feet… they have big shoes
  
  Given your user name, I'm assuming they're correct
  
  soooooooo
  They’re right, right?
  …they’re right.
- Absolutely well phrased with the obvious inappropriate question 😁

I've got similarly large feet and instead of saying "let me grab my shoes" I often say "let me grab my canoes". Always kills if you weave "canoes" in as a replacement for "shoes" with a straight face

my feet aren't large but wide and tall, like I have to undo the show laces like 3 notches to fit. and if I get a size higher then my toes have a gap between the tip of the shoe.
I recognize that pain even if I'm not 100% in the same situation. trying shoes for me is also annoying, I specifically do not like when clerks try to help you or ask for your size because it almost always doesn't work (oh yeah you're size 13 but hmm your feet doesn't really fit the width) I would much rather just try things on my own. naturally that doesn't work on your case so you must have it rough

IS IT TRUE??

I feel like I'm looking at a Kingdom Hearts picture
- Yeah I get that a lot.
  
  I had the same thought, bet you wish you also had ginormous hands (and I guess Disney sidekicks).

Ok, this sounds merely quirky and unusual on the surface other than the shoe difficulty. Any other real problems (or benefits) with this? Joint issues, can’t run well? Something people might not know is a problem with unusually large feet?
- I'm guessing he can temporarily fool people into thinking he is also super tall

Post the bare feet or it didn't happen!
- Bro you haven't even taken me for dinner yet!
- Stop begging for feet pics! 😆
  
  No it's for science really, I swear. Also the pics have to be stepping on someone who is saying "yes daddy I'm a bad boy". Easiest way to verify unfortunately it has nothing to do with how hot it is.

Tallest hobbit I've ever seen
- My feet are unfortunately hairy and wide which led to my nickname during a large chunk of my teenage years: Hobbit.
  
  Damn dude, I'm the same height with hairy size 11s, I get called Hobbitfoot by my brother.
  
  I mean as far as nicknames go this is cool.

I wear size 15 XX-Wide (6E) shoes and buy them online. It's not really a problem for me. There are plenty to choose from, and sites let you filter by size.

I mean, that’s a bookstore. Maybe try a shoe store?

I feel my your pain on the shoes, I also wear size 15 but I'm 6'5", with the added blessing of a proportionally long torso. Shirts are impossible but it's a bummer going to an Amazon (because no store stocks size 15) and seeing options go from like 10,000 down to 100.
I really like onitsaku tigers, I just buy them on repeat.

Honestly your sense of humor about this is great, although I suspect you've been telling some of these jokes for years 😅 I know what that can be like, I'm a big person so I got height, shoe, etc jokes for days.
My favorite:
Someone: "how tall are you?"
Me: "tall enough"
Someone: (ideally says) "tall enough to what...?"
Me: "... To party 😎"
(Reference: https://youtu.be/-DEwAZ0ozTs)

Hey brother.
Size 15 wides here. I feel you. No where on earth have I been able to walk into a place and get shoes. the struggle is real.
- How about somewhere here? On the internet?
  
  I mean, yeah? That's where I buy all my shoes. It sucks not being able to try on shoes

US Shoe size 15 is UK 13 and EU 48.
- For women. For men's shoes it is US 15 UK 14 EU 49.5. Source: https://www.asos.com/discover/size-charts/men/shoes/
  Or 15 14.5 48, https://shoesizingcharts.com/
  UK 13 seems too small, EU 48 idk is a maybe.
  Zalando has like many many pages of shoes in the size 48 to 49.5 on the EU site, and even choice up to 52.5, do we have bigger feet here?
  
  Thanks, I hate it. Maybe we could just measure shoe size in centimeters, not in different units that mean different things on each site of the border - and even for men and women.
  But still, unironically, thank you.
  
  Germans and Scandinavians are generally tall as fuck so I assume their feet match
- Oh. I'm not far off him then, but I'm 6'5". Depending on the shoe I can need 12-12.5 UK sizing.

So the real question. How is walking up and down steps?
- Down is easy, with the right shoes it's like skiing ⛷️

I have sympathy... I have size 17 4E. From 12-17 my age was my shoe size. I stopped being able to get shoes in store for the most part at 13
Edit: I have had the best luck recently buying shoes here https://bigshoes.com/
Last year I found Nikes my size. Then they immediately went out of stock after I got them. This year the next version was available when I just happened to check the site. I bought two pairs and another pair of more dressy casual shoes
- Do you maybe know of any similar website based in the EU? The shipping and duties and all that would double the price here.
  
  Sorry, I don't. I'm in the US. Idk if they do international, but Zappos may be an option? Although I think they got bought by amazon. To I avoid them now
- From 12-17 my age was my shoe size
  Me too!! Not for that long but I was able to make that joke for a year or two.

Are you the actual OP here? I hope this isn't just someone else's content posted from elsewhere.
But now? I’ve embraced it.
This is so great to hear. Own it. Your response is great. Your feet are huge. Take up a martial art with a lot of kicking.
- Yessir. Thanks man I am into taekwondo!
  
  oooh, and that's a sport where people commonly size up their foot gear to get extended range in points matches

Size 16 double wide.
I only ever buy New Balance as I don't trust any other shoe to fit me as well. They have an offshoot, Dunham, for more formal shoes as well as work and hiking boots.
Haven't shopped in a shoe store since I was 12 as they stopped at size 13 in stores most of the time.

Peggy Hill vibes

Sideshow Bob is real!

Dude can add one foot to his reach just by standing on his toes.

You might want to give barefoot shoes a try. I went from an EU 48 to an EU 45 when I switched to barefoot shoes because some of the size just came from having to accommodate the width of my feet. Barefoot shoes tend to be more flexible in that regard.
- Is this the brand? I’d be interested in something like this.
  
  There are several brands. I personally go with Leguano, a German brand – they happen to have a showroom in my city.
  
  It might be, I dunno, but any pair of lightweight, wide-toebox shoes with minimal cushioning, no incline, and minimal arch support will achieve most of the same benefits. The idea is that shoes like these let you walk more naturally, with toes splayed and foot muscles worked.

Bro you're amazing.
- blushes

Stores like Ross, DD's, Burlington coat factory tend to end up with a lot of big shoes since they sell leftover stock

Old Long Johnson right there. Oh Don piano.. 👑🌭😺
- I mean...

I wear 15 wides and it's always been a nightmare finding shoes, it's gotten a bit easier with online shopping after COVID but still very sparse on choices
- Yeah I'm pretty much in the same boat. I just go online now for all my shoes. In the before times when I had to go in person it sucked, they'd have my size in like one or two shoes, there was no picking at all. But online there's a waaaay bigger selection obviously. Sucks that you can't try stuff on but once you get familiar with brands they all kinda for similar enough
- I hear you. I often take 15 EE as well. At least you're tall?
  
  You might try an orthopedic shoe company like Drew Shoes. They carry size 15 in multiple widths for a lot of their shoes. They can be a bit pricey, but they have a clearance section that usually has a lot of options.

I knew a guy growing up who wore 15s in primary school. You could almost watch him grow. Genetics is fucked up yo. I enjoyed reading this friend.
- Did he ever grow into his feet?
  
  Nah homie grew and grew and he was shy and a decent guy, but I didn't know him all that well. I don't think he hit 7' but I cannot stress enough he always seemed super cool

Dear Lord. I'm 6'4" with size 12 feet.
- Same here, 6'4" and size 12 or 13 US depending on how they are made. I have a hard time finding shoes that fit well, I seriously feel for OP.
  My cousin is 6'8" with size 15, he also has a hard time finding good shoes as well as other clothes.
- Wow that means your feet are a full inch shorter than mine I think. And I'm a 15 EE as well. I faintly remember my size 12 phase back when I think I was 12 myself. Did not appreciate it enough at the time. You don't know how lucky you are!

Shop in black neighborhoods. You'll find shoes that fit you. (not a dick joke just letting you know)
- Shoes don't go on your dick. Unless that's your thing, which is still fine.
  
  As a black man, I can't mention my shoe/feet size without people openly making references to my penis so ya