Hermes Sandals Size Guide: Fit Tips
Short answer: Hermes uses French/European sizing, different models sit on the foot in specific ways, and the best fit comes from measuring your foot and adjusting one half size up or down depending on the style and your foot width. This guide gives measured, actionable steps to avoid the common mistakes people make when buying Hermes sandals online or in-store.
Hermes sandals are a style-forward investment; getting the size wrong ruins the look and the comfort. This section sets the baseline: know your foot length in centimeters, understand whether the pair is a slide or a thong, and then use the model-specific rules that follow. Expect leather uppers to soften over time but not to add significant length to the sole. Also expect some models to sit narrower across the instep and toe-box, so width matters almost as much as length. Read on for exact measurement steps, a conversion table, model-specific guidance, common pitfalls, and a compact set of expert tips and little-known facts.
Do Hermes sandals run true to size?
Short answer: Generally they align with EU/French sizing but perception of \”true to size\” depends on the model and your foot shape; slides often fit truer while thongs can feel smaller across the toe. If you normally wear EU sizes, start with your usual number and adjust a half size for width or thong-style models.
Hermes labels use French sizing that mirrors European sizing numbers; many shoppers who buy their regular EU size will find a good length fit. The variable is fit rather than length: thin straps, narrow cutouts, or minimal footbeds can feel tighter even when the sole is the correct length. For example, an Oran slide often reads as true length-wise but sits narrow on the forefoot for people with a high instep. A thong-style Izmir typically requires a little extra length or a wider foot to avoid toe-pinching. If you regularly fluctuate between two EU sizes, choose the larger size for comfort and longevity, especially for sandals intended for barefoot wear.
Remember that outsole thickness and heel position also affect perceived fit: a short foot can slide forward on a thicker sole, making a sandal feel small even at the correct length. Leather stretches mostly in the upper, rarely in the sole. If you have flat feet or a pronounced arch, fit will change more than for neutral arches, because the foot sits differently on the footbed. When shopping online, prioritize sellers with accurate return policies and clear size measurements in centimeters—centimeter-based comparison beats relying on vague US size equivalents.
How should you measure your foot for Hermes?
Short answer: Stand barefoot on paper, trace the longest points from heel to toe, measure that length in centimeters, then add 0.5–1.0 cm for a comfortable sandal fit and match to the Hermes/European size table below. Measure both feet and use the larger measurement.
Step one: Place a piece of paper on a flat floor, stand naturally with weight evenly distributed, and trace around the foot with the pen perpendicular to the paper. Step two: Mark the furthest point at the heel and the longest toe, then measure the straight-line distance in centimeters. Step three: Repeat for both feet; most people have one foot slightly larger—use that size. Step four: Add 0.5 cm for a snug barefoot fit or 1.0 cm if you prefer room to wiggle or if you’ll wear thin socks. Step five: Compare the final centimeter value to the conversion table in this guide.
Why add length? Sandals need small toe clearance to avoid rubbing when walking; too-tight length causes constant forward pressure that quickly becomes painful. Width and instep height are the next considerations—if you have a wide forefoot, plan to go up a half size from the measured length, especially for thong styles. If you have a very narrow foot, the measured size is usually fine, but consider in-store try-ons because leather straps may shift differently on narrow feet. Use the same measurement routine for all household members to keep comparisons consistent across brands.
Model-specific fit and practical adjustments
Short answer: Treat each Hermes model as a separate fit category—slides like the Oran, thongs like the Izmir, and sporty leather sandals like the Oasis each behave differently; adjust by half a size or by width expectations rather than by arbitrary rules.
Oran slide: The Oran is a classic H-cut slide with a low-profile footbed. Length often matches your EU size but the H cutout makes the forefoot feel narrower; if you have a broad foot, go up a half size. Leather will relax in the strap area after a few wears, but the sole length remains fixed.
Izmir thong: The Izmir uses a thong-style strap and typically pulls the foot slightly forward. If you’re between sizes, size up half to avoid toe-pinching. The toe post location is fixed; if you have very short toes relative to foot length you might feel the post more than expected—try on or measure carefully before buying online.
Oasis and sportier models: These often have more structured footbeds and adjustable straps. The adjustability can compensate for width differences, but the sole length still follows EU sizing. If the model has buckles or Velcro, prioritize length and use straps for fine-tuning. For any Hermes sandal with a contoured footbed, allow slightly less extra length because your foot sits more securely.
Sizing rule-of-thumb: For barefoot slides, choose your measured EU number or the next half size up if you have wide feet; for thong sandals, prefer the half size up; for adjustable sport styles, measure for length and use the hardware to dial in width. Avoid sizing down to \”lock\” the foot—tight leather straps will cut in and break the aesthetic and comfort quickly.
Quick size conversion table
Short answer: Use centimeter foot length as the anchor; the table below provides approximate French/European to US equivalents and recommended foot-length ranges to help you pick the most reliable size for hermes sandals.
FR/EU Size | Approx. US Women | Foot Length (cm) |
---|---|---|
36 | 6 (approx.) | 23.0–23.4 |
37 | 6.5–7 (approx.) | 23.5–23.9 |
38 | 7.5–8 (approx.) | 24.0–24.4 |
39 | 8.5–9 (approx.) | 24.5–24.9 |
40 | 9.5–10 (approx.) | 25.0–25.4 |
41 | 10.5–11 (approx.) | 25.5–25.9 |
Use this table as a reference, not an absolute law: centimeter measurement on your foot compared to the foot-length column is the most reliable indicator. Hermes uses FR/EU numbering on most styles, so matching centimeters to that column eliminates ambiguous US size conversions. For half sizes not shown, interpolate by 0.4–0.5 cm increments and remember to account for width and strap type described earlier.
Common fit mistakes, fixes, and extra facts
Short answer: The top mistakes are ignoring width, trusting US conversion alone, and assuming leather stretch solves length issues; fixes are straightforward: measure in cm, size appropriately by model, and break in carefully at home first.
Mistake one: Buying by US size alone without checking centimeter length—this regularly produces the wrong fit because US conversions vary between brands. Mistake two: Expecting leather to lengthen the sole—leather straps soften but the sole stays the same so length problems persist. Mistake three: Not accounting for intended use—if you plan to wear sandals hiking or walking long distances, prioritize comfort and size up rather than force a fashion-tight fit. Quick fixes include swapping to a half size up, using a leather conditioner sparingly after a few wears to speed softening, and using heel grips if your foot slides forward by a small margin.
Expert tip: \”Avoid assuming that half-size differences are trivial. For Hermes, a half-size change alters both width perception and how the straps sit. When in doubt, choose the larger half-size for barefoot sandals and reserve smaller fits for lined, structured shoes.\” This advice comes from repeated fittings and returns data: the larger half-size avoids persistent rubbing and preserves the leather shape over time.
Little-known facts: Hermes labels use French sizing that equals EU numbers; the Oran is intentionally narrow across the H cutout; many Hermes sandals are unisex in styling but not always in fit; leather uppers will relax but the footbed rarely expands; adjustable straps on sportier styles are the single biggest reason to buy online confidently, since they allow post-purchase fine-tuning.
Finish with a practical checklist you can follow before final purchase: measure both feet standing, add 0.5–1.0 cm depending on fit preference, check model-specific guidance above, consult the conversion table, and when possible try on in-store or buy from a seller with clear, fair returns. Following this sequence gives the highest chance of perfect Hermes sandal fit and keeps the sandals looking and feeling right for years of wear.