Same foot, two size scales. Men's and women's sizes count differently.
To convert a women's shoe size to a men's size, subtract 1.5. Brooks says a women's 8.5 is a men's 7, and Nike's chart uses the same 1.5 gap. Several boot makers chart a gap of 2: Wolverine pairs a men's 7 with a women's 9. For boots, follow the boot maker's own chart.
Most conversion pages give one number. This one shows where the number changes. Wolverine, Durango and Georgia Boot each pair a men's 3 with a women's 5, and Iron Age pairs a men's 4 with a women's 6, so those boot makers chart 2 while Brooks and Nike chart 1.5.
It also adds a dated store check. On bespokewestern.com, checked 29 September 2026, seven Alvies men's boot styles carry D and EE widths with size 15 in stock, and four Alvies women's boot styles carry B width in sizes 5 to 12.
How do you convert women's to men's shoe size?
Subtract 1.5 from the women's size to get the men's size. Brooks states the rule this way and adds that its unisex sizes match men's sizes. Brooks' worked example is a women's 8.5 that becomes a men's 7.
Road Runner Sports gives the same rule and the same example. Nike's women's chart lines up women's 3.5 over men's 2 and women's 8 over men's 6.5, which is the same 1.5 gap.
Which boot charts use 2 sizes instead of 1.5?
Several boot makers publish a 2-size gap on their own charts. Wolverine, Durango and Georgia Boot each line up a men's 3 with a women's 5. Iron Age tells women who buy a men's style work boot to choose a size 2 sizes smaller than the size shown.
Nick's Boots gives a range: add about 1.5 to 2 sizes going from men's to women's, so a men's 7 becomes a women's 8.5 or 9. Nick's adds that boots are often designed for tighter fits and convert less directly than casual sneakers.
The comparison below shows how far apart the two rules land. Read each row as one women's size run through each maker's rule.
| Women's size (US) | Men's size by Brooks rule (subtract 1.5) | Men's size by Wolverine chart (subtract 2) |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | 6.5 | 6 |
| 8.5 | 7 | 6.5 |
| 10 | 8.5 | 8 |
| 12 | 10.5 | 10 |
What does a women's to men's boot chart look like?
Wolverine's unisex shoe and boot conversion chart is one clear example, and every number below comes from it. The chart lists US women's and men's sizes side by side with UK and EUR columns.
| Wolverine women's (US) | Wolverine men's (US) | Wolverine UK | Wolverine EUR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 3 | 2 | 36 |
| 6 | 4 | 3 | 37 |
| 7 | 5 | 4 | 38 |
| 8 | 6 | 5 | 39 |
| 9 | 7 | 6 | 40 |
| 10 | 8 | 7 | 41 |
| 11 | 9 | 8 | 42 |
| 12 | 10 | 9 | 43 |
| 13 | 11 | 10 | 44 |
| 14 | 12 | 11 | 45 |
| 15 | 13 | 12 | 46 |
Use this table for Wolverine footwear, and check the maker's own chart for any other pair.
How do you convert men's to women's shoe size?
Add 1.5 to the men's size for sneakers and running shoes, or add 2 when a boot maker's chart says so. Brooks and Road Runner Sports both add 1.5, so a men's 7 becomes a women's 8.5. Wolverine's boot chart pairs a men's 7 with a women's 9.
A men's 10 becomes a women's 11.5 under the 1.5 rule and a women's 12 on Wolverine's chart. When the two rules land half a size apart, try the pair on. Our guide to measuring your foot for shoes and boots gives you a starting length.
What happens to width when you switch?
Width labels change along with the length. Brooks lists women's medium as B and men's medium as D, and Nick's Boots names D for men and B for women in the US. Flow Feet puts the gap at 1 full width size.
Brooks converts by the width name: a women's 10 wide (D) becomes a men's 8.5 wide (2E). Road Runner Sports disagrees and says the letter carries over, so a women's D is also a men's D. When two respectable sources disagree, follow the maker of the pair you are buying.
The Brannock Device Company adds that footwear makers use width terms at their own discretion. Our shoe width chart explains the letters in more detail.
Can a woman wear men's cowboy boots?
Yes, and the makers below say how to size for it. Iron Age, a work boot maker, says a woman who buys a men's style work boot should select a size 2 sizes smaller than the size shown. Nick's Boots says men's shoes are generally wider than women's, so the toe and heel deserve a close look.
The house store offers both routes. On bespokewestern.com, checked 29 September 2026, four Alvies women's boot styles (The Guadalupe, The Perry Lane, The Rainey and The Trinity) come in B width, sizes 5 to 12. Seven Alvies men's boot styles come in D and EE, sizes 8 to 15 across the line.
Alvies' try-on guide says Alvies are designed with a wider toe box and that the width of a boot breaks in the most. Taller sizes have their own page: cowboy boots in size 14 and 15.
Which conversion should you use?
Use the chart from the maker of the pair you are buying. Pick the 1.5 rule if the pair is a sneaker or running shoe, because Brooks and Nike both publish it. Pick the boot maker's own chart if the pair is a boot, because Wolverine, Durango, Georgia Boot and Iron Age chart 2.
Quick answers
What is a women's 8.5 in men's sizes?
Brooks says a women's 8.5 is a men's 7. Wolverine's boot chart pairs a women's 8.5 with a men's 6.5. Use the rule from the maker of your pair.
Do unisex sizes follow men's or women's numbers?
Brooks says unisex sizes match men's sizes. A Brooks unisex 7 is a men's 7.
Does Wolverine's chart cover big men's sizes?
Wolverine's unisex chart pairs a women's 15 with a men's 13. Its men's chart continues to 14, 15 and 16 with the women's column blank.
What sizes does Bespoke Western carry?
On bespokewestern.com, checked 29 September 2026, Alvies men's boots run 8 to 15 in D and EE, and Alvies women's boots run 5 to 12 in B. Hevias boots and loafers run 8 to 13, with width not a listed option.
Bottom line
Subtract 1.5 for sneakers, as Brooks and Nike say, and subtract 2 when a boot maker such as Wolverine charts it. Start from the maker's own chart, then confirm width and fit on your foot. On bespokewestern.com, checked 29 September 2026, Alvies boots were in stock in B, D and EE.
Where to go next
- Cowboy boots and western boots
- Alvies boots in D, EE and women's B
- How to measure your foot for shoes and boots
- Shoe width chart
- How should cowboy boots fit?
Sources: Brooks Running (women's and unisex size charts; width support article); Nike women's footwear size chart; Road Runner Sports, "Women's to Men's Shoe Size Conversion"; Wolverine unisex and men's size charts; Durango Boots size guide; Georgia Boot size chart; Iron Age Footwear men and women sizing chart; Nick's Boots, "The Difference Between Men's And Women's Shoe Sizes"; Flow Feet conversion calculator; The Brannock Device Company, "Instructions and Fitting Tips"; Alvies' try-on guide; bespokewestern.com store check, 29 September 2026.
