After trying all types of Vans shoes my conclusion about the width of Vans shoes is this: Vans has a regular width that doesn’t fit too wide or too narrow. However, the toe box depth is shallow on classic types of Vans shoes, and if you need a roomier toe box, you may need to order wide sizing. I’d recommend using the Vans.com sizing tutorial linked in the next paragraph to help you find the proper fit:
***UPDATE: Vans.com now has its own sizing tutorial which matches your foot size to a Vans shoe size. Click here to view it at Vans.com (paid affiliate link takes you to Vans.com).
The most critical thing to consider about the width of Vans shoes is the toe box area. Because Vans are performance skate shoes, they have a shallow toe box which provides a secure fit. For example, here is a look at my Vans Authentic toe box compared to the toe box of Nike Air Max:
And here is my Vans Slip-On compared to Nike Air Max:
But the actual width of Vans in the forefoot area near the ball of the foot is very regular. Here is Vans Authentic width compared to Nike Air Max:
As you can see above, the overall shape of the shoe is very similar to normal athletic shoes (but you will need to be mindful of the shallow toe box).
Many types of Vans shoes are available in wide sizing. To order wide Vans shoes, you actually need to go to the Vans “Wides” page. Click here to view the Vans wides available at Vans.com (paid affiliate link takes you to Vans.com).
In this article I will use direct side-by-side comparison photos that I took to give you a better idea how wide Vans shoes are, and what specific things you need to consider for sizing.
How Wide are Vans Shoes?
Vans shoes have a regular width that is very comparable to normal shoe sizing. That’s the short answer.
The longer answer is there are a few specific issues to unpack to get a better understanding of how Vans shoes fit. Here’s what you need to know:
- Vans Forefoot Width – Vans shoes have a very regular width in the forefoot near the ball of your feet. This area is not too wide nor too narrow (learn more with photos).
- Vans Toe Box Depth – Classic types of Vans shoes (Authentic, Old Skool, Sk8, Era, Slip-on) have a very shallow toe box area that can create a snug fit near the toes. If you need a roomier toe box, wide sizing may be needed (learn more with photos).
- Vans Sizing Length – Many classic types of Vans shoes (Old Skool, Sk8, Era, Slip-on) have a sizing length that runs slightly smaller than normal shoe sizing, which can create a snug fit. This is where you can see comparison sizing photos I took comparing Vans shoe sizing to other popular brands. Modern Vans shoes (UltraRange, EVDNT etc) have a more regular length.
Let’s discuss each of these in more detail.
Vans Sizing Forefoot Width
The first thing that needs to be unpacked when discussing the width of Vans shoes is the width of the forefoot area near the ball of your feet. This area in Vans actually has a regular width that is comparable to normal shoe sizing width.
For example, here is Vans Old Skool sizing and width compared to Etnies:
As you can see above, the overall shape of those two shoes is very similar. And here is Vans Authentic compared to Nike Air Max 90:
The forefoot width of Vans is very similar to regular shoe sizing. In fact, the forefoot width of other types of skate shoes can sometimes be narrow (and so Vans will provide a bit more room in this area than certain other types of skate shoes).
For example, you can see below how this area is wider on the Vans Old Skool than the Nike SB Blazer:
And here is the Vans Authentic compared to Nike SB Blazer:
And here is the Vans Sk8-Hi compared to Nike SB Blazer:
And here is the Vans Slip-On compared to Nike SB Blazer:
The main takeaway is expect the forefoot width of Vans shoes to be very regular and to not fit too wide nor too narrow. However, the toe-box depth is shallow, and create a snug fit. Let’s discuss that more next.
Vans Sizing Toe Box Depth
Vans classic shoes have a shallow toe-box design that helps create a snug fit (which is important for performance as a skate shoe). If you need more space in the toe box area, you may need to order wide sizing or size up a half size.
Here is the toe box depth of the Vans Authentic compared to Nike Air Max (Vans Authentic on the left):
As you can see, there is a noticeable difference in the depth of those toe boxes. And here is the toe box depth of Vans Old Skool compared to Nike Air Force 1:
And here is the toe box depth of Vans Authentic compared to Air Jordan 1:
And here is the toe box depth of Vans Old Skool (on the right) compared to Etnies Marana:
And here is the toe box depth of Vans Slip-On compared to Crocs:
I think you get the point without me posting every comparison toe-box photo. If you want to see more, click the links below to see more toe box information for each specific classic type of Vans shoe:
The main takeaway is expect the classic types of Vans shoes to have a shallow toe box compared to normal shoe sizing. However, when we start comparing the toe box of these shoes to the toe box depth of other skate shoes, we see a more similar fit.
For example, here is the Vans Old Skool toe box compared to Nike SB Blazer:
And here is the Vans Old Skool toe box compared to Nike SB Chron 2:
And here is the Vans Authentic toe box compared to Adidas Gazelle:
The snug toe box is very common in skate shoes to help create a secure, dependable fit. If you need more space in the toe box, it would be best to size up or order wide sizing. I would suggest using the Vans.com sizing resource linked in the next paragraph to help verify your correct sizing:
***Verify Your Sizing: Vans.com now has its own sizing tutorial which matches your foot size to a Vans shoe size. Click here to view this Vans shoe sizing guide available at Vans.com to verify your correct size (affiliate link takes you to Vans.com).
Vans Sizing Length
Classic types of Vans shoes run just a little bit smaller than normal shoe sizing regarding length. The lone exception is the Vans Authentic, which has a true-to-size length.
In this article we are discussing the width of Vans shoes, so I won’t do a complete deep dive on sizing length, but you can read more by visiting my Vans sizing guide.
This smaller sizing length can create a snug design, so make sure you consider that when choosing your sizing. I personally stick with my normal sizing for Vans, but if you are between sizes, it may be best to size up.
For example, here is Vans Old Skool compared to Nike Dunk sizing:
As you can see above, the Vans Old Skool runs just a tiny bit shorter in sizing length. And here is Vans Sk8-Hi compared to Air Jordan 1 sizing:
And here is Vans Era compared to Nike Court Vision sizing:
And here is Vans Slip-On compared to Nike Blazer sizing:
Again, I think you get the point without me posting every comparison photo I took. That is what my Vans sizing guide is for. If you’d like to see all the photos I took, just click on the shoe you are interested in below and it will take you to the photos I took:
- Vans Authentic Sizing
- Vans Old Skool Sizing
- Vans Sk8 Sizing
- Vans Slip On Sizing
- Vans Era Sizing
- Vans UltraRange EXO Sizing
- Vans EVDNT UltimateWaffle Sizing
Modern types of Vans shoes (like Vans UltraRange EXO and Vans EVDNT) have a more regular sizing length. For example, here is Vans Old Skool compared to Vans UltraRange EXO:
For more sizing comparison, visit the articles linked below:
Does Vans Have Wide Sizing?
Yes, Vans has wide sizing. However, not all types of Vans shoes are offered in wide sizing.
To see what types of Vans shoes are offered in wide sizing, you actually need to go to the Vans “Wides” page. Click here to view the Vans wides available at Vans.com (paid affiliate link takes you to Vans.com).
Vans Sizing Width Conclusion
Vans shoes were designed to be performance skate shoes, and because of that, they are intended to have a snug, secure design that provides a reliable fit. Do not expect Vans to have a loose fit compared to normal shoe sizing.
The toe box depth of classic Vans shoes is shallow, which creates a snug fit near the toes. However, the forefoot width near the ball of your foot is very regular and does not fit too wide nor too narrow.
Most people stick with their normal shoe sizing when buying Vans, but if you prefer a loose fit, it may be best to size up or order wide Vans shoe sizing.