How much toe length do you leave for shoes?

I'd opt for the smaller-sized shoes and find socks that fill in the gap.

Puma's Carson Runner/Dual Bolt Ignite V2 8.5 and Brook's Ghost9/Launch 8.5 are noticeably smaller in size compared to an Adidas Supernova 8.5.

I mean... what do I know... I just spent over $600 on shoes over 2 years...

Switch shoes. Find a model that fits.

Id go bigger. If the 10.5 is smaller and bangs your toes sometimes then its only going to cause you problems.

Use the top eyelet to lock in the heel and go bigger.

Others can chime in.

How thick are your socks? If you're wearing thick socks, you can switch to a very thin sock. Lots of brands make fairly thin socks now. If your socks aren't thick, then you should opt for the bigger size. You can stop the shoe from sliding around by 1) lock lacing (also called butterfly lacing) 2) use the top eyelet for lock lacing 3) replace the existing insert with a thicker insert 4) for winter running, you can also switch to a thicker sock.

You can also try another model of shoes. Find one that fits.

Personally I like the shoe to a touch more snug but not to the point of aching/pain. Anything that's causing your foot pain is a hard pass. Maybe opt for a new model or try a shoe that is a bit wider in the forefoot.

I leave about a thumb width in front of my big toe. I get the same issues though, I popped down half a size and shoe feels crammed, but in my "normal" size my forefoot slides left and right.

I also start my laces up one eyelet at the front of the shoe. It makes it more comfortable, when I leave laces in like normal it applies pressure on my foot in weird ways that don't feel good, and I still get left/right sliding issues anyway.

Whether you opt for a 10.5 or an 11 will probably vary from shoe to shoe. In this particular case, if 10.5 is too small and 11 is too large, then I would choose a different shoe.

I'm a bit weird in that I like a lot of space up front, so usually end up a full size larger than I would need in a walking shoe for example.

I like the shorter shoe fit for urban running , track , road, pretty flat parks, but for the wild hilly trails it's got to be the roomier one.

Your shoe size is likely 11 since most people don't wear thick socks. You're just wearing shoes that don't fit well for your foot shape.

Running shoes are not accurately sized at least not in uk as they get the conversion wrong sometimes from being made in different countries or they don't understand sizing

As an example a 42 jacket does not measure 42 it's made to fit someone 42 and is probably 44 inch + with a tape. Same should apply to shoes but they don't get it hense sizes all over plus they do conversation eg to UK USA wrong.

I'm a measured size 10 UK. For running shoes 10.5 is good as your feet swell running plus docks bit thicker. Adidas 10.5 fits me

I've worn up to 11.5 or 12 in other models though.

They just need to feel right forget that thumb stuff. Find model to suit your foot don't stick to one brand.

about a thumbs width for me. But if it still feel too big i'll just put on thicker socks. no problem so far with this strategy.

Do people have a different opinion on this issue for trainers vs racers? I have the same issue, but between 11 and 11.5 in the Nike Zoom Fly. They are the best shoes I can find for the marathon in terms of cushion and responsiveness, so I am going to make it work.

With thick socks the 11.5 still feels too wide and long. With thin socks, I think I can make the 11 work, but have not tried running in them yet so I might lose all of my toenails.

I like my toes to be right at the end of the shoe. Unfortunately I have a foot size discrepancy. On my right foot, I have less than half a thumb nail's width of room. On my left shoe I have about a thumb nail and a half to two.

I'm having this same issue for marathon racers wrote:

Do people have a different opinion on this issue for trainers vs racers? I have the same issue, but between 11 and 11.5 in the Nike Zoom Fly. They are the best shoes I can find for the marathon in terms of cushion and responsiveness, so I am going to make it work.

With thick socks the 11.5 still feels too wide and long. With thin socks, I think I can make the 11 work, but have not tried running in them yet so I might lose all of my toenails.

This is a major issue with the Zoom Flys with the design to rock your foot forward unless you size up considerably its going to be an issue. I returned mine for that reason. Bought 2 pairs in different sizes. The small size banged my toes up pretty bad while the bigger size had my foot slide causing an insane amount of burning and blisters. Wanted to love the shoes so bad but couldnt get over the pain even on easier runs.

To the OG poster- If youre a midfoot striker is go smaller but if you land on your forefoot/toes probably best to size up.