WOMEN'S SIZES:

 

EURO # 36 Female US # 5 - 5.5 - 23.5 cm // 9.3 "
EURO # 37 Female US # 6 -6.5 - 24.1 cm // 9.5 "
EURO # 38 Female US # 7 - 7.5 - 24.8 cm // 9.8 "
EURO # 39 Female US # 8 - 8.5 - 25.4 cm // 10 "
EURO # 40 Female US # 9 - 9.5 - 26 cm // 10.2 "
EURO # 41 Female US # 10 - 10.5 - 26.7 cm // 10.5 "
EURO # 42 Female US # 11 - 11.5 - 27.5 cm // 10.8 "
EURO # 43 Female US # 12 - 12.5 - 28.3 cm //11.1 "
 

 

MEN'S SIZES:

 

EURO # 40 Man US # 7 - 7.5 ) - 26 cm // 10.2 "
EURO # 41 Man US # 8 - 8.5 ) - 26.7 cm // 10.5 "
EURO # 42 Man US # 9 - 9.5 ) - 27.5 cm // 10.8 "
EURO # 43 Man US # 10 - 10.5 ) - 28.3 cm //11.1 "
EURO # 44 Man US # 11 - 11.5 ) - 28.9 cm // 11.4 "
EURO # 45 Man US # 12 - 12.5 ) - 29.6 cm // 11.7 "
EURO # 46 Man US # 13 - 13.5 ) - 30.4 cm // 12.0 "

 

The difference between high and low grade leather is like the difference between a Porsche and a Dodge. They both look great on the outside, but quickly you'll be able to tell which one cost a lot to make and which one didn't.

 

Most manufacturers prefer vegetable tanning; although it takes longer, the end result is a stronger and more water resistant leather. The tanning process can take months, and ends with the hides being finished and dressed in a process called currying. Cheaper leather may actually have this coloring sprayed on, but quality leather will be finished by hand.

 

Watch out for leather that isn't tanned long enough; it looks nice on the shelf, but it'll crack and tear in no time. Basically, all of the natural oils and preservatives are extracted from the hide and the tannery replenishes them by tumbling the skin in a big drum for hours and hours. Some tanneries only tumble the leather long enough to coat the outer layer and therefore the inner part never gets the oils and preservatives it needs.