I compared Vans Old Skool sizing to the sizing to other popular shoes and my conclusion is this: Vans Old Skool fits true to size for most people, but I found the Vans Old Skool to run just a tiny bit smaller than normal shoe sizing. I stuck with my normal sizing and it was fine, but it wasn’t a loose fit. Vans.com has a sizing resource that I linked in the next paragraph which will help you verify your size.
***Verify Your Size: Vans.com now has its own sizing tutorial which matches your foot size to a Vans shoe size. Click here to view this Vans sizing guide available at Vans.com (paid affiliate link takes you to Vans.com).
Again, most people describe the Vans Old Skool as true-to-size. Although I think true-to-size is a fair description, I would just caution you to expect the sizing to run just a tiny bit smaller than normal shoe sizing.
It wasn’t enough to cause me to size up. But the Vans Old Skool does have a shallow toe box, and if you have wide feet, you will likely need wide sizing. To order wide Vans Old Skool shoes, you actually need to go to the Vans “Wides” page. Click here to view the Vans Old Skool wides available at Vans.com (paid affiliate link takes you to Vans.com).
Here is the toe box depth of my Vans Old Skool shoes compared to the toe box depth of Nike Air Force 1:
But the toe box depth is similar to other skate shoes, which are known for snug, secure fits. For example, here is my Vans Old Skool toe box compared to Adidas Gazelle:
To measure Vans Old Skool sizing, I compared Vans Old Skool to over 25 other shoes. I took side-by-side sizing comparison photos of the Vans Old Skool compared to these other popular shoes so that you can judge for yourself. Click here to jump ahead to the men’s photos and click here to jump ahead to the women’s photos.
For example, here I am comparing my Vans Old Skool to Nike Dunk sizing:
If you look closely above, you can see the Nike Dunk has a tiny bit more length. That also was the case when I compared my Vans Old Skool shoes to Air Jordan 1:
However, there were other types of popular shoes that had a more similar sizing length when compared to the Vans Old Skool. For example, here I am comparing my Vans Old Skool sizing to Crocs sizing:
And when I compared the sizing of Vans Old Skool to the sizing of other popular skate shoes, I found many options that were similar. Here is a photo of my Vans Old Skool shoes compared to Etnies sizing:
Ultimately, my conclusion regarding the sizing of Vans Old Skool is to expect a snug design that does still fit within the realm of true-to-size.
***Verify Your Size: Vans.com now has its own sizing tutorial which matches your foot size to a Vans shoe size. Click here to view the Vans sizing guide available at Vans.com (affiliate link takes you to Vans.com).
In this article I will show you all the sizing photos I took for the Vans Old Skool and provide Vans Old Skool size advice that you can’t find anywhere else on the internet. I will also discuss the width and depth of the toe box and forefoot area of the Vans Old Skool. All sizing photos use a size 12 for men’s and a size 7 for women’s.
Men’s Vans Old Skool Sizing Photos
Vans Old Skool vs Air Jordan 1 Sizing
Vans Old Skool vs Nike Dunk Sizing
Vans Old Skool vs Air Force 1 Sizing
Vans Old Skool vs Nike Air Max 90 Sizing
Vans Old Skool vs Nike SB Force 58 Sizing
Vans Old Skool vs Etnies Marana Michelin Sizing
Vans Old Skool vs Nike SB Chron 2 Sizing
***Verify Your Sizing: I think these Vans Old Skool shoes have a snug design, but every foot is unique. Vans.com now has its own sizing tutorial which matches your foot size to a Vans shoe size. Click here to view this Vans sizing guide available at Vans.com to verify your correct size (affiliate link takes you to Vans.com).
Vans Old Skool vs Reebok Club C Sizing
Vans Old Skool vs Nike Cortez Sizing
Vans Old Skool vs DC Court Graffik Sizing
Vans Old Skool vs New Balance Numeric 272 Sizing
Vans Old Skool vs Adidas Superstar Sizing
Vans Old Skool vs K-Swiss Classic Sizing
Vans Old Skool vs Crocs Sizing
Vans Old Skool vs Converse Chucks Sizing
Vans Old Skool Sizing vs Nike Court Vision
Vans Old Skool vs Reebok Classic Sizing
Vans Old Skool vs New Balance 550 Sizing
Vans Old Skool vs Nike Blazer Sizing
Vans Old Skool vs Converse Pro Leather Sizing
Vans Old Skool vs Adidas Gazelle Sizing
Vans Old Skool vs Saucony Shadow 6000 Sizing
Vans Old Skool vs Hey Dude Sizing
Vans Old Skool Sizing vs Vans Authentic
Vans Old Skool vs Vans Sk8-Hi Sizing
Vans Old Skool vs Vans Slip On Sizing
Vans Old Skool vs Vans Ultrarange EXO Sizing
Vans Old Skool vs Vans Era Sizing
Women’s Vans Old Skool Sizing Photos
Women’s Vans Old Skool vs Air Jordan 1 Sizing
Women’s Vans Old Skool vs Nike Dunk Sizing
Women’s Vans Old Skool vs Nike Air Max 1 Sizing
Women’s Vans Old Skool vs Crocs Sizing
Women’s Vans Old Skool vs Nike SB Force 58 Sizing
Women’s Vans Old Skool vs DC Court Graffik Sizing
Women’s Vans Old Skool vs Adidas Cloudfoam Sizing
Women’s Vans Old Skool vs Converse Chucks Sizing
Women’s Vans Old Skool vs Reebok Club C Sizing
Women’s Vans Old Skool vs New Balance 574 Sizing
Women’s Vans Old Skool vs Nike Blazer Sizing
Women’s Vans Old Skool vs Adidas Superstar Sizing
Women’s Vans Old Skool vs Nike Court Vision Sizing
Women’s Vans Old Skool vs Birkenstock Sizing
Women’s Vans Old Skool vs Nike Cortez Sizing
Women’s Vans Old Skool Sizing vs Hey Dude
Women’s Vans Old Skool vs K-Swiss Classic Sizing
Women’s Vans Old Skool vs Vans Authentic Sizing
Women’s Vans Old Skool vs Vans UltraRange EXO Sizing
Women’s Vans Old Skool vs Vans Sk8-Hi Sizing
Women’s Vans Old Skool vs Vans Slip On Sizing
Women’s Vans Old Skool vs Vans Era Sizing
Are Vans Old Skool Wide Fit or Narrow?
Vans Old Skool sizing has a snug design, but there are several things to unpack when discussing the width of Vans Old Skool.
First of all, yes, Vans Old Skool are offered in wide sizing, but you need to visit the “Wides” page at Vans.com. This is where you can view all the wide Vans Old Skool shoes offered at Vans.com (paid affiliate link takes you to Vans.com).
The Vans Old Skool has a snug toe box due to 1) the sizing length that runs smaller than normal shoe sizing and 2) a shallow toe box that isn’t as deep as most types of shoes. It is important to remember that the Vans Old Skool was designed to be a performance skate shoe, and the snug design provides a secure fit for skaters.
If you need a roomy toe box, it would probably be best to size up or order wide sizing.
Vans Old Skool Toe Box Depth
Here is the toe box depth of the Vans Old Skool compared to Nike Air Max (Vans Old Skool 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 Old Skool compared to Air Jordan 1:
The main takeaway is expect the Vans Old Skool to have a shallow toe box compared to normal shoe sizing. However, when we start comparing the Vans Old Skool toe box depth 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 Old Skool 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.
***Verify Your Sizing: I think these Vans Old Skool shoes have a snug design, but every foot is unique. Vans.com now has its own sizing tutorial which matches your foot size to a Vans shoe size. Click here to view this Vans sizing guide available at Vans.com to verify your correct size (affiliate link takes you to Vans.com).
Vans Old Skool Forefoot Width
A second thing that needs to be unpacked when discussing the width of Vans Old Skool shoes is the width of the forefoot area near the ball of your feet. This area in the Vans Old Skool actually has a more regular width that is comparable to normal shoe sizing width (and wider than some other skate shoes).
For example, you can see below how this area is wider on the Vans Old Skool than the Nike SB Blazer:
Although the design of Vans Old Skool is snug compared to normal shoe sizing, this snug design is very typical in skate shoes (because as we discussed above, these types of performance shoes need a secure fit). When you compare Vans Old Skool to other popular skate brands, the sizing is very similar. For example, here is Vans Old Skool sizing and width compared to Etnies:
The main takeaway is expect the Vans Old Skool to have a snug fit, with a shallow toe box (but the forefoot area near the ball of your feet has a more regular width). If you have wide feet, it would be best to order wide sizing.
What Types of Vans Fit Looser Than Vans Old Skool?
As we have discussed, Vans Old Skool shoes have a snug design. What about other types of Vans?
Most types of classic styles of Vans shoes (Old Skool, Sk8, Era, Slip On) have the same snug design. You can judge for yourself by checking out the side-by-side comparison photos I took comparing Vans Old Skool to other Vans shoes. Click here to see the men’s photos and click here to see the women’s photos.
However, some of the more modern types of Vans I found to have a more regular fit (and therefore fit a little bit looser than the Vans Old Skool). I want to specifically point out the sizing of Vans UltraRange EXO, which in some ways is a modern take on the Vans Old Skool. Here I am wearing mine:
When I compared the Vans UltraRange EXO to Vans Old Skool sizing, I found the Vans UltraRange EXO to fit a little bit longer than the Vans Old Skool. Here is my comparison photo for men:
And here is my comparison photo for women:
The Vans UltraRange EXO may be a good alternative to the Vans Old Skool if you prefer a more regular fit with modern comfort and modern detailing.
If you want a quick overview of the sizing of all types of Vans shoes, visit my Vans Sizing Guide.
Vans Old Skool Sizing Conclusion
Do Vans Old Skool Run Big or Small?
My Advice: In my experience, Vans Old Skool shoes run a little small compared to normal shoe sizing. Still, most people order normal sizing, but don’t expect a loose fit. If you prefer more of a loose fit, or are between sizes, it would be best to size up.
The toe box of the Vans Old Skool can feel snug. This is due 1) to the length of the shoe being a bit smaller than normal shoe sizing and 2) a toe box depth that is shallow compared to normal shoe sizing. This snug design is essential for performance skate shoes to help deliver a secure fit.
The width of the forefoot area in the Vans Old Skool (near the ball of your feet) actually has a more regular width that is comparable to normal shoe sizing width (and wider than some other skate-style shoes).
Still, because of the snug design, if you have wide feet, it would be best to order wide sizing. This is where you can order wide sizing for the Vans Old Skool shoes at Vans.com (paid affiliate link takes you to Vans.com).
My advice is to stick with your normal shoe sizing unless you are between sizes. If you are between sizes, I would size up. I also recommend you use the Vans.com sizing resource linked in the next paragraph:
***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 sizing guide available at Vans.com to verify your correct size (affiliate link takes you to Vans.com).