There’s no single Rick Owens shoe size. The brand makes sneakers, boots and platforms on different lasts, and the advice changes from model to model. Worse, the guides I found don’t always agree with each other. So treat everything here as a starting point, and where sources clash I’ll say so.Rick Owens uses European sizing, and a size guide for his shoes tells you to check the one on the actual product page, since conversions differ by retailer.
The general rule everybody repeats
A Farfetch style guide says your regular size will likely fit, but most regular customers go a size down for a more fitted, rickowen.us feel. A retailer sizing guide from MARAIS says the same thing in more detail for the sneakers. That’s the baseline, half a size down for most of the mainline. After that, it depends on the shoe.
Ramones
The Ramones is the easiest one to size, and even then the advice splits. One guide says many people find it fits true to size, and some go half a size down for a snugger fit. Another says half a size down for the whole mainline. If you have a wide foot or a high instep, a buyer’s guide says to try the Ramones on in a store, because the side zip helps you get the shoe on but doesn’t relieve pressure across the forefoot. Canvas and leather versions feel a little different too, so material matters.My take: start half a size down if your feet are normal, and don’t go down further unless you’ve tried them on.
Geobasket
Guides agree on half a size down. They disagree about width. One buyer’s guide describes the toe box as slightly narrow and the Rick Owens Shoes long. Another source says the Geobasket can feel a little wider in the forefoot than some other models. I can’t tell you which is right for your foot, and that’s the point. If you have a wide foot, try before you buy, or buy from somewhere with a proper return policy.
Mega Bumper and chunky platforms
This one’s clearer. A retailer description says the Mega Bumper has an oversized last that requires sizing down, and that if you don’t, the foot can end up swimming inside a shoe that feels comically impractical. It has a 4.5 cm platform sole, and the same page says sole wear needs heel taps. Go down, and think about how heavy a platform is before you buy.
DRKSHDW
MARAIS says DRKSHDW sits a little closer to your true size than mainline, though most wearers still take half a size down for a fitted look instead of a slouchy one. It adds an interesting point: because canvas relaxes, half a size down is forgiving, while a whole size down can end up snug after it’s broken in. So don’t overcorrect on canvas.
Boots
Boots are where the guides really clash. The Farfetch guide says the Kiss boots are best bought a size down from your regular size, especially if they’re suede. A forum user, though, said the sneakers felt pretty true or maybe a little small, but the boots felt like they ran half a size bigger. A lower-quality guide says some boots may fit true to size or even a bit small, depending on the design. So Tractor, Beatle and Kiss boots don’t share one rule. Check reviews for the exact boot, and if you can, try them on, since boots are expensive to get wrong.
What to do when sources disagree
Measure your foot. Stand on paper, mark your longest toe, and measure in centimeters, then compare that to the insole length for the pair. That number doesn’t change with opinions. Use the retailer’s own size chart for the exact model, since conversions vary. And if the retailer lets you return the pair, order your best guess and try it on a clean floor indoors before you commit.
Secondhand sizing
The tag on an older pair might not match how it fits. Ask the seller for the insole length in cm and photos of the sole, and compare it against your own measurement. If they won’t give it, walk away.
A simple way to pick a starting size
If you’re buying the Ramones, start with half a size down, or true to size if you want some room. For a Geobasket, half down, and be careful if your foot is wide. For a Mega Bumper, go down, since the last is oversized. For DRKSHDW, half a size down is forgiving, and a whole size can get snug. For boots, read reviews of that exact boot, because the advice isn’t consistent.
My honest take
I think most people get hurt by a rule that sounds simple, like “just size down half a size.” It works for a lot of the mainline sneakers, but it’s not a law, and boots especially break it. The one thing you can trust is your own foot measurement against the insole length. Everything else is a starting guess.
Bottom line
Half a size down is the common starting point for Ramones, Geobaskets and DRKSHDW, while the Mega Bumper really does need you to size down and boots depend on the style, with sources disagreeing. Measure your foot, compare it to the insole length, and buy from a seller who takes returns. I can’t test any of this on your feet, so confirm the fit on the exact pair.
