Shoe Sizes and Shopping Culture Shock in Korea

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Let’s have a quick talk about shoe sizes and shopping in Korea. It’s nothing exciting, but those with larger feet need to be prepared for some challenges. Shoes are something people feel very attached to and not being able to find shoes in Korea that meet a lifetime of expectations may feel hard. So let’s talk about it.

Journey Into the World of Korean Shoe Shopping

Moving to the Land of the Morning Calm or just visiting? Either way, you might wonder about shoe shopping and finding your sizes in Korea. Well, it’s not as tranquil as you might think. In fact, it’s the one struggle I’ve never fully overcome. Navigating shoe sizes, styles, and stores can be quite an adventure, especially for foreigners with “large” feet. Don’t fret, though. This guide will walk you through the ins and outs of buying shoes in Korea, along with some tips for overcoming potential hurdles you might face on your shoe-shopping expedition.

Culture Shock and Shoes

For international residents (expats) in Korea, shoes may feel like one of the most frustrating experiences. The shoes in Korea don’t match their expectations. Many international residents complain about sizing (both length and width), quality of shoes, styles of shoes, and comfort of shoes.

Keep in mind, these types of international resident complaints aren’t unique to Korea. This is a common experience around the world. People have spent their whole life in their home countries figuring out exactly what works for them and where to find it. Then, suddenly, when they move abroad they have to figure this out all over again. It’s not a fun or good feeling.

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In fact, I have Korean friends who went to the USA for a holiday and came back with the same complaints. They couldn’t find their shoe sizes and styles in the US. The shoes in the USA were too wide, too chunky, not the right colors, etc.

Me and My Partner’s Experience with Shoes

Both my partner and I have shoes that fall outside the regular size range for our genders in Korea. However, for me, this hasn’t been as much of a problem because I have always preferred unisex shoes. Since I’m tall and very active, women’s shoes never worked well for me in the US either. I already exclusively purchased men’s sports shoes before moving to Korea and couldn’t find women’s shoes I liked.

Once I moved to Korea I had more unisex shoe options. I love the comfort of the cute unisex styles that fit my active lifestyle better. Then, for dress shoes and boots, I decided to simply have them made since they cost the same as a nice pair of brand shoes. For cheap work shoes, I purchase a few pairs of Clark’s when I am in Europe or the US for a holiday. This has been my system for over 13 years.

My partner, on the other hand, shops for shoes online. He buys from Van’s in Korea or from Amazon. He rarely visits the US or Europe, so he has relied entirely on the Internet since he moved to Korea.

Now that you know our experience, here are things you might need to shape your shoe experience while living in South Korea.

Navigating Shoe Size Differences

First things first, let’s talk about shoe sizes. Korean shoe sizes operate on a different scale from what you might be used to. So, before you set foot in a shoe store, it’s essential to know your Korean shoe size. Here’s a handy conversion chart to help you figure that out:

US Men’sUS Women’sUK Men’sUK Women’sEUKorea
78.56.5540250
7.5975.540.5255
89.57.5641260
8.51086.542265
910.58.5742.5270
9.51197.543275
1011.59.5844280

Remember, these conversions are not 100% accurate across all brands, so it’s always a good idea to try on shoes before buying. As they say, if the shoe fits, wear it!

Shoe Size Systems Vary

Also, know that not all shoe stores use Korean sizing, some stores will actually use EU sizes. Yes, that’s right, not every shoe shop uses the same sizing system. Additionally, some shops may offer a US size conversion comparison but not clearly clarify if it’s a men’s or women’s shoe. Therefore, make sure to know both your EU and Korean sizes when shoe shopping.

Pro-Tip For Using Sizing Charts

Since sizes can vary a lot. Don’t just look at the Korean size, choose your shoe size based on the country of manufacture, not necessarily where the brand is headquartered. For instance, some American shoe brands are produced in Spain or Italy, leading to frequent mislabeling of sizes. Here are some tips based on where the shoes are made:

  • European-made shoes: Look at the EU size chart that fits you.
  • American-made shoes: Use your US shoe size.
  • Korean-made shoes: Try a few sizes around your conversion size. We find that Korean sizes vary quite a bit.

This doesn’t always work, but it sometimes does so keep it in mind. This tip came from MOMOTHEROSE and we love it.

Asking for Your Shoe Size

A really easy way to ask for your shoe size is to show the staff your Korean shoe size on your phone. It can get stressful trying to say the Korean for your size, so just navigate around this by visually sharing the information. It’s easier on everyone.

Unisex Shoes

Korea offers quite a few unisex shoe sizes designed to look great across genders. I personally choose these types of shoes quite often. Since Korea requires a lot of walking, I want to wear cute comfortable shoes all the time anyway. My lifestyle in Korea doesn’t even allow space for fancy shoes anymore.

Well-Documented Shoe & Size Issues

When it comes to shoe shopping in Korea, foreigners might face a few challenges. Here are some tips to make your shopping experience as smooth as possible:

  1. Size availability: If you have larger feet, you might find it challenging to find your size, especially in local Korean stores. Many stores stock sizes up to 280mm (US Men’s 10), but anything larger can be hard to find. However, don’t let this discourage you! You can explore international brands or larger department stores that tend to have a wider range of sizes.
  2. Language barrier: Navigating through sizes and styles can be tricky, especially if you don’t speak Korean. To ease communication, keep a note of your Korean shoe size or use a translation app to communicate your preferences.
  3. Price variations: Shoe prices can vary widely in Korea. From high-end designer boutiques to affordable street markets, you’ll find a wide range of prices. So, do your research, set a budget, and stick to it!

Less-Documented Issues Foreigners May Face Shoe Shopping

  1. Unfamiliar brand names: One of the unexpected areas of culture shock is brand awareness. We take for granted that we will be shopping for shoe brands we trust, but in Korea you may find yourself choosing between brands you’ve never seen before.
  2. Built differently: Even brand names you trust might be made a little different in Korea or offer styles that aren’t offered in your home country.
  3. Unfamiliar styles: What looks stylish in South Korea may not be your vibe. Styles vary dramatically around the world and you may not find what you like or need while living in South Korea.

Options When You Can’t Find Shoes in Stores

So what do you do if your feet are too big or you don’t like the styles? How do you manage the situation? Here are a few ways that my community has found:

  • Shop for shoes when you visit home or travel: Many of us only buy shoes when we leave the country.
  • Buy Shoes Online: Many people in South Korea do have larger feet. They shop for shoes online.
  • Buy Unisex Shoes: I often wear unisex shoes so this was an easy solution for me. However, this doesn’t solve the problem for men with larger sizes like my husband.
  • Custom-Made Shoes: Since the price for brand-name shoes and handmade shoes are similar, I often choose to have my dress shoes custom-made for me. This ensures I have shoes that fit and match my style.
  • Adjust Expectations: Sometimes, we just have to adjust what we expect from shoes. This adjustment will look different for different people.

Additional Information

Don’t just read the South of Seoul perspective on shoe sizes and shopping in Korea, also ready these useful articles which may include additional useful information:

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