true to size

What does true to size mean?

The phrase ‘true to size’ (TTS) is used within the footwear as well as clothing sectors to indicate if the footwear or clothes are sized correctly compared with the industry standard.

For footwear, if it is true to size, that it follows the measurements obtained on the Brannock device. If a shoe is ‘true to size’ then that means that the shoe’s length, width and arch measurements are in direct proportion to the measurement that was on the Brannock device.

Some running shoe models will have a reputation for running smaller or larger than the true to size standard simply because different brands use different lasts, so there will be quite a bit of variation in the industry standards.

About the author

University lecturer, clinician, runner, cynic, researcher, skeptic, forum admin, woo basher, clinician, rabble-rouser, blogger, dad