I’ve compared Vans vs Converse sizing across many of their most popular styles and I found Converse to often run a little looser and longer than my classic Vans shoes. And specifically my Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars ran about a half size bigger than my Vans.
***UPDATE: Both Vans and Converse now have their own sizing tutorials to help you find the right fit based on your specific foot size. Click here to view to view the Vans sizing tutorial available at Vans.com (affiliate link takes you to Vans.com). Click here to view the Converse sizing tutorial available at Converse.com (affiliate link takes you to Converse.com). This is the best place to start for both brands.
For a quick illustration on Converse vs Vans sizing, in the photo below my size 12 men’s Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars (left) are sitting next to my size 12 Vans Sk8-Hi Shoes. As you can see, the Converse Chucks are about a half size longer than the Vans Sk8-Hi shoes.
This is also the case when comparing women’s Converse Chucks to Vans. For example, here is a women’s Converse Chuck Taylor All Star compared to Vans Sk8-Hi sizing (both size 7):
I personally order my normal sizing in Vans, and size Converse Chucks down a half size, but I like shoes to fit snug. If you prefer a looser fit, you may need to size Vans up a half size.
But, there are also certain types of Converse shoes that have a more similar fit to Vans. For example, below are my size 12 Converse Pro Leathers shoes compared to those same size 12 Vans Sk8-Hi shoes. Still felt like the Converse was a tiny bit looser, but not as much as the Chucks were.
Quickly regarding wide feet: Many types of Vans and Converse shoes are performance shoes that, by design, aren’t wide and loose. Because of that, the fit may be too narrow for those of you who have wide feet. But you do have options.
- To order Vans wide sizing, you actually need to go to the Vans “Custom” page, where you can make custom changes which include ordering custom wide fit shoes. Click here to view the custom wides available at Vans.com (affiliate link takes you to Vans.com).
- To order Converse wide sizing, and specifically Converse Chucks, click here to view the Converse Chucks page at Converse.com, where you can also see the option to order wide sizing (affiliate link takes you to Converse.com).
In this article I want to focus on comparing Vans vs Converse sizing using real photos of the shoes that I own. This can help illustrate the differences in sizing, and how it varies style to style. For other comparison information, visit my article about Vans vs Adidas Sizing and my article about Vans vs Nike Dunk Sizing.
I’ve worn the Vans Sk8-Hi, Vans Atwood Mid, Vans Slip On, Vans Old Skool, Vans Authentic, Vans UltraRange EXO, Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars, Converse Pro Leathers, Converse Chuck 70, Converse Jack Purcell and Converse One Stars. They all fit true to size except the three listed below, which run a half size big:
- Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars
- Converse Chuck 70
- Converse Jack Purcell
- Converse One Star
If you want to do a deep dive on Converse fit and sizing, visit my Converse Sizing Guide. For weight information, visit our article about Converse Shoe Weight.
Vans vs Converse Sizing
Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars vs Vans Sk8-Hi Sizing
As I discussed above, these two styles I found to actually have different sizing. My Converse Chucks fit about a half size bigger than my Vans Sk8-Hi shoes. To read more about the Chucks, visit our article about Converse Chuck Taylor sizing. Here are these shoes compared, both size 12:
Vans Sk8-Hi vs Converse Pro Leather Sizing
In my experience, the Vans Sk8-Hi shoes have a closer fit to the Converse Pro Leathers than the Chucks do. Still felt like the Converse was a little looser. These are narrow shoes so you will need to consider wide sizing if you have wide feet. Here are mine (both size 12):
Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars vs Vans Authentic Sizing
In my experience, the Converse Chucks run about a half size bigger than the Vans Authentic Lows. These are both narrow shoes so you will need to consider wide sizing if you have wide feet. Here are mine (both size 12):
Vans Authentic vs Converse Pro Leather Sizing
In my experience, the Vans Authentic shoes have a very closer fit to the Converse Pro Leathers than they do to the Converse Chucks. Converse still felt a little looser, but it was very close. These are narrow shoes so you will need to consider wide sizing if you have wide feet. Here are mine (both size 12):
Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars vs Vans UltraRange EXO Sizing
The Vans UltraRange are a little bit longer than other Vans shoes, but they have extra padding behind the foot that other Vans shoes don’t have. Ultimately, I felt like the Vans UltraRange shoes fit true to size, and the Converse Chucks run a little bit bigger than them. Here are mine (both size 12):
Vans UltraRange EXO vs Converse Pro Leather Sizing
Overall, I found the sizing for the Converse Pro Leather shoes to be very similar to the sizing of the Vans UltraRange shoes. Both shoes fit true to size. Here are mine (both size 12):
Vans Old Skool vs Converse Sizing
I found the Vans Old Skool sizing (left) to be very similar to the sizing of the Converse Pro Leather shoes .
But Vans Old Skool shoes do run smaller than Converse Chucks:
Converse One Stars vs Vans Sk8 Hi Sizing
I have found the Converse One Stars to be similar to the Converse Chucks in that they run slightly bigger than most Vans sizing. The Converse One Stars fit looser than the Vans Sk8-Hi shoes, but I would caution you when you look at the photo below, take into account that the Converse One Stars have a more pointed toe and a thick rubber overlay around the toe that makes them look longer than they fit. Here are mine (both size 12):
Converse One Stars vs Vans UltraRange EXO Sizing
As I mentioned earlier, I have found the Vans UltraRange shoes to fit just a slight bit bigger than other Vans shoes that I’ve owned. Overall, the fit between the Converse One Stars and the Vans UltraRange EXO is very similar. Remember, the Convers One Stars (left) have that thick rubber overlay around the toe which makes them look longer than they fit. Here are mine (both size 12):
Converse One Stars vs Vans Authentic Sizing
I have found the Converse One Stars to be similar to the Converse Chucks in that they run slightly bigger than most Vans sizing, including these Vans Authentics.
The Converse One Stars fit looser than the Vans Authentics, but I would caution you when you look at the photo below, take into account that the Converse One Stars have a more pointed toe and a thick rubber overlay around the toe that makes them look longer than they fit. Here are mine (both size 12):
Vans EVDNT UltimateWaffle vs Converse Sizing
I found the Vans UltimateWaffle to be very similar to the Vans UltraRange in that it fit a little bit bigger than other types of classic Vans shoes. To read more, visit my Vans EVDNT Size Guide. As you can see below, although the sizing compared to Converse Pro Leathers is similar, I thought the Vans EVDNT shoes were a little bit bigger.
Vans vs Converse Fit Information
Are Vans Wider Than Converse?
In my experience, Vans are not wider than Converse. I have tried the Vans Old Skool, Vans Authentic, Vans Sk8-Hi, Vans Slip On, Vans UltraRange EXO, Converse Chucks, Converse Court Daze Pro Leathers, and Converse One Stars. In my experience, all of these shoes do have a narrow design. If you have wide feet, wide sizing is best.
- To order Vans wide sizing, you actually need to go to the Vans “Custom” page, where you can make custom changes which include ordering custom wide fit shoes. Click here to view the custom wides available at Vans.com (affiliate link takes you to Vans.com).
- To order Converse wide sizing, and specifically Converse Chucks, click here to view the Converse Chucks page at Converse.com, where you can also see the option to order wide sizing (affiliate link takes you to Converse.com).
Vans Sk8-Hi Shoes
The first thing you need to understand about Vans sizing, is some of Vans’ skate shoes are designed to fit snug for performance. Here’s what Vans has to say about fit (source):
“Please note, by design, our high performance skate shoes tend to fit snug, so you may want to select a half size larger. Alternatively, if you have a wide foot, you may purchase one size larger to compensate for the width or check out designing your own pair of wide Customs!”
To order Vans Sk8-Hi wide sizing, you actually need to go to the Vans “Custom” page, where you can make custom changes which include ordering custom wide fit shoes. Click here to view the custom wides available at Vans.com (affiliate link takes you to Vans.com).
In my experience, Vans Sk8-Hi shoes fit is true to size. Again, as we discussed earlier, the Vans skate shoes can have a snug fit (and these do), but my normal sizing feels fine because I do not have wide feet.
Click here to buy the Vans Sk8-Hi shoes available at Vans.com (affiliate link takes you to Vans.com). There are multiple colors and styles available, including the option to customize. To read more, visit our Vans Sk8 Hi Sizing Guide.
Vans Old Skool Shoes
Vans Old Skool shoes are another type of classic skate shoe that also work really well as casual shoes. They can pair easily with both jeans and shorts. This is another shoe that will have a snug fit to enhance performance.
To order Vans wide sizing, you actually need to go to the Vans “Custom” page, where you can make custom changes which include ordering custom wide fit shoes. Click here to view the custom wides available at Vans.com (affiliate link takes you to Vans.com).
In my experience, Vans Old Skool shoes fit is true to size.
Click here to buy the Vans Old Skool shoes available at Vans.com (affiliate link takes you to Vans.com). There are multiple colors and styles available, including the option to customize. To read more about sizing, visit our Vans Old Skool Sizing Guide.
Vans UltraRange EXO Shoes
These Vans UltraRange shoes are some of my favorite shoes to wear because of how lightweight they are. My size 12 shoes only weigh 0.63 pounds per shoe. They are very comfortable and don’t weigh your foot down.
In my experience these shoes have more of a traditional fit compared to other Vans styles. They were not quite as snug. – I found them to fit comfortably true to size.
Click here to buy the Vans UltraRange EXO shoes available at Vans.com (affiliate link takes you to Vans.com). There are multiple colors and styles available, including the option to customize.
Vans Authentic Shoes
Vans Authentic shoes are casual skate shoes that have a versatile design. In my experience, these shoes fit true to size, but did have a snug fit. If you have wide feet, you will want wide sizing.
To order Vans wide sizing, you actually need to go to the Vans “Custom” page, where you can make custom changes which include ordering custom wide fit shoes. Click here to view the custom wides available at Vans.com (affiliate link takes you to Vans.com).
Click here to buy the Vans Authentic shoes available at Vans.com (affiliate link takes you to Vans.com). There are multiple colors and styles available, including the option to customize. To read more about fit, visit our article about Vans Authentic Sizing.
Vans Slip On Shoes
The Vans Slip on Shoes are probably their most classic style. These shoes are ultra comfortable and very easy to wear. Overall, I found these shoes to fit true to size, and to fit very similar to all other Vans (photo below comparing this shoe to Vans Sk8-Hi).
To order these shoes in wide sizing, you actually need to go to the Vans “Custom” page, where you can make custom changes which include ordering custom wide fit shoes. Click here to view the custom wides available at Vans.com (affiliate link takes you to Vans.com).
Click here to buy the Vans Slip On shoes available at Vans.com (affiliate link takes you to Vans.com). There are multiple colors and styles available, including the option to customize. To read more, visit our Vans Slip On Sizing Guide.
Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars
You are likely familiar with the Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars. These shoes have been around for a long time, and even though they have a history rooted as performance shoes, they also blend in perfectly as casual shoes.
In my experience, these shoes fit a little bit bigger than most Vans shoes. They also fit a little bit bigger than my Converse One Star shoes. If you prefer a snug fit, you may need to size down a half size.
Click here to buy the Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars available at Converse.com (affiliate link takes you to Converse.com). There are multiple colors and styles available, including the option to customize.
Converse One Star Shoes
These Converse One Star shoes are another style that have been around for a long time, and they blend in perfectly as casual shoes. Just like the Converse Chucks, in my experience, these Converse One Star shoes fit a little bit bigger than most Vans shoes. If you prefer a snug fit, you may need to size down a half size.
Click here to buy the Converse One Stars available at Converse.com (affiliate link takes you to Converse.com). There are multiple colors and styles available, including mids, lows, and slip-ons.
Converse Court Daze Pro Leather Shoes
Another classic Converse shoe are the Converse Pro Leathers. Although you can find these shoes in mid versions, these are most commonly low top shoes.
In my experience, when comparing these Pro Leather Converse vs Vans sizing, I found these Converse Pro Leather shoes to fit very similar to classic Vans shoes. These shoes do fit a little bit smaller than my Converse Chuck Taylors. As you can see below, here are my size 12 Converse Chuck Taylors (left) compared to my Converse Pro Leathers (right):
Although these shoes have a narrow build, I found the material to be very flexible, and it shapes comfortably to the foot. Here’s a closer look at my Converse Pro Leather Shoes:
Click here to buy the Converse Pro Leather shoes available at Converse.com (affiliate link takes you to Converse.com). There are multiple colors and styles available, including mids and lows.
Vans vs Converse Sizing Summary
In general, I found Vans shoes to fit slightly smaller than both the Converse Chucks and the Converse One Stars, but I found Vans to have similar sizing to the Converse Pro Leathers. If you prefer a loose fit, you may need to size Vans up a half size. If you prefer a snug fit, you may need to size the Converse Chucks and One Stars down a half size.
One reoccurring theme across many of these Vans and Converse shoes is that they fit narrow. Many different types of Vans and Converse shoes are performance shoes that, by design, aren’t wide and loose. If you have wide feet, buying wide shoes is probably best.
- To order Vans wide sizing, you actually need to go to the Vans “Custom” page, where you can make custom changes which include ordering custom wide fit shoes. Click here to view the custom wides available at Vans.com (affiliate link takes you to Vans.com).
- To order Converse wide sizing, and specifically Converse Chucks, click here to view the Converse Chucks page at Converse.com, where you can also see the option to order wide sizing (affiliate link takes you to Converse.com).
Sizing Help: As I mentioned at the top, both Vans and Converse now have their own sizing tutorials to help you find the right fit based on your specific foot size. Click here to view to view the Vans sizing tutorial available at Vans.com (affiliate link takes you to Vans.com). Click here to view the Converse sizing tutorial available at Converse.com (affiliate link takes you to Converse.com). This is the best place to start for both brands.