Zori size

[CrabbyGoddess]

Hello again,

I have another question. I am a women's size 9 in the US. About what size should I get for zori? I know the zori are supposed to be a little smaller than the foot itself, I'm just not sure how much.

[bawsin]

I wish I knew what to tell you! My feet are size 9 1/2 (North American sizing), and I've had rather poor luck finding zori that will fit. The largest zori I've found (a used pair) are 9 1/2 inches long, and I bought those on faith over the Internet, thinking they might work. And in terms of how much of my foot "hangs over" the shoe, the fit is actually not too bad. Unfortunately, the strap - the part that comes down between the big toe and the second toe - is far too snug to be comfortable! I can't imagine walking any distance in them, that's for sure.

My tea teacher very kindly brought me back a pair of synthetic zori on her last visit to Japan, and they do fit - but the only size that shows on them is "L", which is not much help for you! Anyway, because it's a fairly inexpensive pair, they're not very dressy either... so I still have a yearning for a fully-fitting pair of zori that are fine enough to wear with my more formal kimono.

I've been toying with buying a pair of "L" zori from this site:
www.karankoron.com/online_shop_bargain.html
... but am not sure that even the largest size (which is 24cm long) will do. After all, 24cm = a whisker under 9.5 inches! And no one seems to be making an "XL" size for women like me.

So if any other large-footed women out there can offer any tips for those of us who can't travel to Japan and buy our own there... I'm sure many of us would be grateful!

[CrabbyGoddess]

Luckly my feet are nine inches but the zori I got I had the same problem with being very tight at the front. I wish I just get by with flip flops or tatami zori! lol The zori on the page you gave seems like they will fit, but they might be too narrow still....

[Kiyoaki]

That has been my experience as well. The straps tend to be very tight when new. Perhaps, in time they will loosen up some more. Until then, the problem of ill-fitting zori remains.

I bought a pair in the 70's that fit me well. Now they are too tight to wear. My feet haven't lengthened, but they definitely have thicken; so the straps became tighter. My alternative was to wear geta all the time.

I know they're not meant for formal situations, but as far as I'm concerned, using them when out of doors is the most appropriate time. Some women compromise by wearing geta on the street, but switch to zori when going in doors. Applying that method may permit you to 'survive' the ill-fitting zori for the limited time you need to be at your best. Naturally, afterward, you can revert to geta.

As to actual length, something 1/4" - 3/8" shorter than your foot, is probably comfortable for most people.

Tabi (like zori) are sized in centimeters, so you may need to buy longer ones to allow for greater width across the foot when wearing them. There are also stretch tabi, which simplifies this question. I always wear tabi, even if I'm using geta.

If you decide to use geta as well, try picking a pair with a wide instep. That should mean longer straps and more give.

[Ume]

Hi,
I had that problem too with zori.
In kitsuke magazines you see the dressing lady try to gstretchh the thongs by pulling; this might work when they are not that tight. When they are really tight, look at the sole of the zori. Mostly you see this little gflaph that is nailed. Open this flap and you will see the cords of the zori straps, they are tied here, and you can loosen the knot and make the thongs looser. Then put the knot back and re-nail the gflaph And your zori should be fine.

[Flock]

my feet are over 9 inches and I have some 9 inch zori, the flaps on the bottom are stapled, they would fit if only my feet were the right shape. and a little shorter..
I am gonna sell them on ebay maybe.

[Flock]

p.s

Do geta fit easier than zori?
I know it is even fashionable to have one's feet hang over the backs!
sounds like the ones for me