I’ve worn the Vans Sk8-Hi shoes and compared their sizing to other popular shoes and my conclusion is this: Vans Sk8-Hi sizing is very consistent with other types of Vans shoes, which means they have a snug design that runs a little bit smaller than normal shoe sizing. Vans.com has a sizing resource that I linked just below this 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).
Because Vans Sk8-Hi has a snug design with a shallow toe box, if you have wide feet, you will definitely want to order wide sizing. To order wide Vans Sk8-Hi shoes, you actually need to go to the Vans “Wides” page. Click here to view the Vans Sk8-Hi wides available at Vans.com (paid affiliate link takes you to Vans.com).
To measure Vans Sk8-Hi sizing, I compared Vans Sk8-Hi to over 25 other shoes to get a better idea how sizing compared. I took side-by-side sizing comparison photos of the Vans Sk8-Hi 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 Sk8-Hi to Nike Dunk sizing:
If you look closely above, you can see the Nike Dunk has more length. That also was the case when I compared my Vans Sk8-Hi shoes to Air Jordan 1:
Many people describe the Vans Sk8-Hi as being within the realm of true-to-size, but I would advise you to expect a snug design that runs a little bit smaller than your normal shoe sizing regarding length. Remember, Vans Sk8-Hi was originally designed as a performance skate shoe, and the snug design provides a secure fit.
However, there were other types of popular shoes that had a more similar sizing length when compared to the Vans Sk8-Hi. For example, here I am comparing my Vans Sk8-Hi sizing to Crocs sizing:
And when I compared the sizing of Vans Sk8-Hi to the sizing of other popular skate shoes, I found many options that were similar. For example, here is a photo of my Vans Sk8-Hi shoes compared to Nike SB Force 58 sizing:
Ultimately, my conclusion regarding the sizing of Vans Sk8-Hi is to expect a snug design that runs a little bit smaller than normal shoe sizing.
***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 (affiliate link takes you to Vans.com).
In this article I will show you all the sizing photos I took for the Vans Sk8-Hi so that I can provide you with Vans Sk8-Hi 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 Sk8-Hi. All sizing photos use a size 12 for men’s and a size 7 for women’s.
Men’s Vans Sk8-Hi Sizing Photos
Vans Sk8-Hi vs Air Jordan 1 Sizing
Vans Sk8-Hi vs Nike Dunk Sizing
Vans Sk8-Hi vs Nike Air Force 1 Sizing
Vans Sk8-Hi vs Nike Air Max 90 Sizing
Vans Sk8-Hi vs Nike SB Force 58 Sizing
Vans Sk8-Hi vs Etnies Marana Michelin Sizing
Vans Sk8-Hi vs Nike SB Chron 2 Sizing
***Verify Your Sizing: I think these Vans Sk8-Hi 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 Sk8-Hi vs Reebok Club C Sizing
Vans Sk8-Hi vs Reebok Pump Omni Zone II Sizing
Vans Sk8-Hi vs Nike Cortez Sizing
Vans Sk8-Hi vs DC Court Graffik Sizing
Vans Sk8-Hi vs New Balance Numeric 272 Sizing
Vans Sk8-Hi vs New Balance 574 Sizing
Vans Sk8-Hi vs Adidas Superstar Sizing
Vans Sk8-Hi vs K-Swiss Classic Sizing
Vans Sk8-Hi vs Crocs Sizing
Vans Sk8-Hi vs Converse Chucks Sizing
Vans Sk8-Hi Sizing vs Nike Court Vision
Vans Sk8-Hi vs Reebok Classic Sizing
Vans Sk8-Hi vs New Balance 550 Sizing
Vans Sk8-Hi vs Nike Blazer Sizing
Vans Sk8-Hi vs Converse Pro Leather Sizing
Vans Sk8-Hi vs Adidas Gazelle Sizing
Vans Sk8-Hi vs Saucony Shadow 6000 Sizing
Vans Sk8-Hi vs Hey Dude Sizing
Vans Sk8-Hi Sizing vs Vans Authentic
Vans Sk8-Hi vs Vans Old Skool Sizing
Vans Sk8-Hi vs Vans Slip On Sizing
Vans Sk8-Hi vs Vans Ultrarange EXO Sizing
Vans Sk8-Hi vs Vans Era Sizing
Women’s Vans Sk8-Hi Sizing Photos
Women’s Vans Sk8-Hi vs Air Jordan 1 Sizing
Women’s Vans Sk8-Hi vs Nike Dunk Sizing
Women’s Vans Sk8-Hi vs Nike Air Max 1 Sizing
Women’s Vans Sk8-Hi vs Nike SB Force 58 Sizing
Women’s Vans Sk8-Hi vs DC Court Graffik Sizing
Women’s Vans Sk8-Hi vs Adidas Cloudfoam Sizing
Women’s Vans Sk8-Hi vs Converse Chucks Sizing
Women’s Vans Sk8-Hi vs Reebok Club C Sizing
Women’s Vans Sk8-Hi vs New Balance 574 Sizing
Women’s Vans Sk8-Hi vs Nike Blazer Sizing
Women’s Vans Sk8-Hi vs Adidas Superstar Sizing
Women’s Vans Sk8-Hi vs Nike Court Vision Sizing
Women’s Vans Sk8-Hi vs Birkenstock Sizing
Women’s Vans Sk8-Hi vs Nike Cortez Sizing
Women’s Vans Sk8-Hi Sizing vs Hey Dude
Women’s Vans Sk8-Hi vs K-Swiss Classic Sizing
Women’s Vans Sk8-Hi vs Vans Authentic Sizing
Women’s Vans Sk8-Hi vs Vans UltraRange EXO Sizing
Women’s Vans Sk8-Hi vs Vans Old Skool Sizing
Women’s Vans Sk8-Hi vs Vans Era Sizing
Are Vans Sk8-Hi Wide Fit or Narrow?
Vans Sk8-Hi sizing has a snug design, but there are a couple things to unpack when discussing the width of Vans Sk8-Hi.
First of all, yes, Vans Sk8-Hi shoes are offered in wide sizing, but you need to visit the “Wides” page at Vans.com. This is where you can view all the types of wide Vans Sk8-Hi shoes offered at Vans.com (paid affiliate link takes you to Vans.com).
The Vans Sk8-Hi 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 Sk8-Hi 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 Sk8-Hi Toe Box Depth
Here is the toe box depth of my Vans Sk8-Hi compared to Nike Air Max (Vans Sk8-Hi 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 my Vans Sk8-Hi compared to Nike Court Vision:
The main takeaway is expect the Vans Sk8-Hi to have a shallow toe box compared to normal shoe sizing. However, when we start comparing the Vans Sk8-Hi toe box depth to the toe box depth of other skate shoes, we see a more similar fit.
For example, here is the Vans Sk8-Hi toe box compared to Nike SB Blazer:
And here is the Vans Sk8-Hi toe box compared to Nike SB Chron 2:
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 Sk8-Hi 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 Sk8-Hi Width of Forefoot
A second thing that needs to be unpacked when discussing the width of Vans Sk8-Hi shoes is the width of the forefoot area near the ball of your feet. This area in the Vans Sk8-Hi 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 Sk8-Hi than the Nike SB Blazer:
Although the design of Vans Sk8-Hi 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 Sk8-Hi to other popular skate brands, the sizing is very similar. For example, here is Vans Sk8-Hi sizing and width compared to Etnies shoe sizing:
The main takeaway is expect the Vans Sk8-Hi 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 Sk8-Hi?
As we have discussed, Vans Sk8-Hi shoes have a snug design. What about other types of Vans?
All classic types of Vans shoes (Old Skool, Authentic, Sk8, Era, Slip On) have the same snug design that runs a little bit smaller than normal shoe sizing. You can judge for yourself by checking out the side-by-side comparison photos I took comparing Vans Sk8-Hi 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 Sk8-Hi). I want to specifically point out the sizing of Vans UltraRange, which is a more modern type of Vans skate shoe. Here I am wearing mine:
When I compared the Vans UltraRange EXO to Vans Sk8-Hi sizing, I found the Vans UltraRange EXO to fit a little bit longer than the Vans Sk8-Hi. 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 Sk8-Hi if you prefer a more regular fit with modern comfort and modern detailing.
For more sizing comparison, visit the articles linked below:
If you want a quick overview of the sizing of all types of Vans shoes, visit my Vans Size Guide.
Vans Sk8-Hi Sizing Conclusion
Do Vans Sk8-Hi Run Big or Small?
My Advice: In my experience, Vans Sk8-Hi shoes run a little small compared to normal shoe sizing. Still, many 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 Sk8-Hi 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 Sk8-Hi (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 Sk8-Hi shoes at Vans.com (paid affiliate link takes you to Vans.com).
The main takeaway for Vans Sk8-Hi sizing is to expect a snug design that runs a little bit smaller than normal shoe sizing. If you prefer a loose fit, or are between sizes, it is probably best to size up. I would also recommend you use the Vans.com sizing resource linked below:
***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).