All posts by Oliver Radwell

Shoe Size Matters: Sizes Massively Vary in Big Brands

Finding the perfect fit for your feet can be a perplexing task, especially in the age of increasing online shopping. Consumers increasingly rely on shoe sizes, placing their trust in the numbers on the screen. Unfortunately, this trust can be misplaced, as shoe sizes are notoriously unreliable due to brand variations. The distinction between UK and EU shoe sizes is a classic example of this challenge.

The Evolution of Shoe Sizing

Shoe sizes are a critical bridge between the buyer and the product when shopping for footwear online. The discrepancy between UK and EU shoe sizes underscores the complexity consumers face in this digital age.

UK and EU adult sizes are based on the size of the “last,” a foot-shaped template used in the manufacturing of shoes. However, the two systems diverge in fundamental ways, causing confusion for consumers navigating the virtual aisles of e-commerce.

UK Shoe Sizes: The 8.33-inch Starting Point

In the UK shoe size system, the last size of 8.33 inches serves as the zero point, anchoring the sizing scale. Sizes then increment by one-third of an inch. For example, a UK size 6 corresponds to a last size of approximately 10.33 inches, a UK size 7 to 10.67 inches, and so forth.

EU Shoe Sizes: The Consistent Approach

In contrast to the UK system, EU sizes are more straightforward regarding conversion. The EU system does not employ a zero point. Instead, it employs a consistent approach to sizing across the board, encompassing children and adults.

EU sizing incrementally increases by 6.67 mm (two-thirds of a centimetre, approximately one-quarter of an inch) between each size. For example, an EU size of 39 corresponds to a last size of 26 cm, a size of 40 to 26.67, and so forth.

Sizes Across Brands

Shoe size differences between brands can be a perplexing challenge for consumers. While numerical sizes provide a common language for shoe fitting, variations often occur due to differences in the lasts, manufacturing techniques, and even regional preferences employed by different brands. As a result, a person who wears a size 8 in one brand might find that they need a size 9 in another.

The chart above shows that Nike and Asics convert UK sizes to higher EU values, whilst Rebook and Converse convert to lower EU values.

Sizes (UK)66.577.588.599.51010.51111.512
Fred Perry (EU)394041424344454647
Adidas (EU)39404141.34242.743444545.34646.747
Nike (EU)4040.5414242.5434444.54545.5464747.5
Asics (EU)4040.541.54242.543.54444.5454646.54748
Rebook (EU)394040.5414242.5434444.54545.54647
Converse (EU)3939.5404141.54242.5434444.5454646.5
Skechers (EU)39.5404141.54242.543444545.5464747.5
Vans (EU)394040.5414242.5434444.5454647
Comparison of UK/EU conversion charts between brands

The table above shows the variation of shoe sizes between brands. For example, if your Nike shoes are EU size 45, which converts to UK size 10, your Converse shoes will be UK size 11.

Easing the Confusion

Online shoppers must be vigilant when navigating the labyrinth of shoe sizes. The variance between brands shows the challenges of the consumers when seeking the perfect fit. It underscores the need for comprehensive size charts provided by manufacturers and online retailers, which can help mitigate the confusion of converting sizes between brands.

The lesson here is clear: trust in the numbers, but remain vigilant. Understand the differences between sizing systems, know your size in UK and EU sizing systems, consult size charts, and read customer reviews. After all, comfort and fit are paramount in footwear, and a well-informed shopper is a step ahead in the quest for the perfect fit.

Summary

Finding the perfect fit for your feet can be a perplexing task. With online shopping becoming increasingly popular, consumers have to trust shoe sizes more and more when placing their orders. Customers can ensure that the shoes they’re purchasing will provide an ideal fit by checking the sizes in both systems.

References

kubectl get pods response on a Kubernetes cluster provisioned using kubeadm on Ubuntu 22.04

Simple Single-node Kubernetes Cluster via kubeadm on Ubuntu 22.04

There are many tools out there to provision single-node Kubernetes clusters, but kubeadm is the way to go for a production-like set-up. Although it is more difficult to create a cluster with kubeadm, you can tweak the cluster to your needs with its configuration options. Following this post, you can easily create a Single-node Kubernetes Cluster using kubeadm on Ubuntu 22.04.

Continue reading Simple Single-node Kubernetes Cluster via kubeadm on Ubuntu 22.04

Go Program for a Unique Twitter Profile Banner

Do you think your Twitter profile banner is boring? Do you wish there was something that could rotate your Twitter banner images? Maybe what you want is to brag about your Twitter account statistics on your profile banner to make a unique Twitter profile banner. This article showcases a Go program that does just that.

Landscape image showing clouds and grass generated by the program. Statistics: 217 Following, 68 Followers, 461 Tweets, In 0 lists, Located in London, UK, 2021-11-26 23:27 UTC, https://git.io/JMOjc
A Twitter Banner generated and uploaded by the program

Retrieve User Statistics from Twitter

We will authenticate with Twitter API using OAuth 2.0 to retrieve the statistics for the given Twitter profile. To achieve this, we need the Go oauth2 package.

You can find the code for user data in user_data.go.

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Install Mozilla VPN RPM from Binary on Fedora

Mozilla VPN is a VPN solution that uses the WireGuard protocol. Unfortunately for Fedora users, there’s no official guide on installing it for Fedora. That said, since 6th July 2021 there are Mozilla VPN RPM packages on GitHub Actions. This article will show you how to get these RPMs.

Mozilla VPN screenshot showing location selection and VPN switch
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DNF Trying to Use SQLite Backend Warning

If you keep getting the following warning after upgrading to Fedora 33:

warning: Found bdb Packages database while attempting sqlite backend: using bdb backend.

Try rebuilding RPM database:

rpmdb --rebuilddb

If that results in:

error: can't create transaction lock on /var/lib/rpm/.rpm.lock (Permission denied)
Continue reading DNF Trying to Use SQLite Backend Warning

Silly but This Is a WordPress Blog Running on Kubernetes

You probably think it’s overkill to use Kubernetes for a WordPress blog with less than a thousand monthly visitors. While this may be true, it’s totally worth using Kubernetes for the bragging rights. This is a WordPress blog running on Kubernetes!

Kubernetes running WordPress and MariaDB
Sources: https://pixabay.com/images/id-5718352/ and https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/cargo-freight-container_3795063.htm
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Famous Vegans You May Know

People don’t often reveal their diet but some celebrities are very vocal about their views on animal welfare. Scroll down to see 10 famous vegans you may not know were vegans.

Mayim Bialik

Bialik is known for playing neuroscientist Amy Farrah Fowler in Big Bang Theory. Handy for Bialik’s role in the series, she’s also a neuroscientist in real life. Not only is she a vegan, but she has also written a vegan cookbook too. Her book is called Mayim’s Vegan Table which contains 100 plant-based recipes.

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Expert Update Statements with Joins on MariaDB

You can use UPDATE statement in Structured Query Language (SQL) to modify values in the matching rows. However, only some people know that you can use JOINs in UPDATE queries. For example, by using JOINs we can retrieve additional data from other tables or exclude some rows from our update. Soon you will learn how to write update statements with joins on MariaDB / MySQL.

Update statement with multiple joins shown in a database manager
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