Why Big Shoe Sizes Are Hard to Find in Pakistan
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Big shoe sizes are hard to find in Pakistan because local manufacturers build their production runs around the most common sizes, roughly 39 to 44, and importers follow the same logic. If you wear size 45 or 46, most shops in your local bazaar will simply not stock your size, and online stores often list large sizes without keeping them in inventory. The result is a lot of wasted trips and a small number of sellers who actually hold stock in large sizes.
What counts as a big shoe size in Pakistan
In Pakistan, shoe sizes are usually quoted in UK sizing. A UK size 9 is common, a UK 10 is still easy to find, and a UK 11 starts to get difficult. UK 12 and above, which is roughly EU 46 and 47, is where most shops give up.
The table below shows how UK, EU and foot length compare, so you can check your size before shopping anywhere.
| UK size | EU size | Approx. foot length (cm) | Availability in Pakistan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 42 | 26.0 | Widely available |
| 9 | 43 | 27.0 | Widely available |
| 10 | 44 | 28.0 | Available in most stores |
| 11 | 45 | 29.0 | Limited, often out of stock |
| 12 | 46 | 30.0 | Rare in local markets |
| 13 | 47 | 31.0 | Very rare, mostly online |
If you are between sizes, measure your foot from heel to longest toe in the evening, when feet are at their largest, and compare against the length column. Mova's shoe size guide walks through this step by step.
Why local manufacturers stop at size 44
Local shoe manufacturing in Pakistan, from Gujranwala to Karachi, works on tight margins and bulk production. A factory cutting leather for 500 pairs will size the run to match demand. Sizes 40 to 44 cover the majority of adult male feet in the country, so a full run of size 46 means extra lasts, extra cutting patterns and extra material for a pair that may sit unsold for months.
A shoe last, the mould a shoe is built around, is size specific. A factory that wants to make size 46 needs a separate set of lasts. For a size that sells a fraction of the volume, most skip it entirely. This is why the same design you like in size 42 simply does not exist in size 46 from the same maker.
The import problem for large sizes
Imported shoes follow the same demand logic. Distributors importing from China, Vietnam or Malaysia order in size mixes, for example 6 pairs of each size from 40 to 44 and maybe 1 or 2 pairs of 45. Size 46 is often excluded from the order entirely because the distributor does not want to risk it.
There are two knock on effects for buyers:
- Even when a brand makes size 46, it may never reach Pakistan because no importer ordered it.
- When a size 46 does arrive, it is usually a single pair per design. Once it sells, restocking can take months.
This is why you sometimes find one large size shoe you like, buy it, and then never see it again.
What this means for you if you wear size 45 or 46
Practically, life in a large size looks like this:
- You visit three or four shops and hear the same reply: "This design does not come in your size."
- Shopkeepers offer you a size 44 and suggest it will stretch. It usually does not stretch enough, and tight shoes cause blisters and discomfort.
- You settle for whatever fits rather than what you actually wanted.
- Sandals and slippers are easier to find in large sizes than closed shoes, because open designs tolerate a slightly short fit.
The trade off is real. Buying a size 44 because it is available costs you comfort every single day. A shoe that is even half a size too short presses on the toes and can distort the upper over time. It is better to wait for the right size than to force the wrong one.
How to shop smart for large sizes
If you wear size 45 or 46, change how you shop instead of shopping harder.
Step 1: Confirm your actual size. Do not assume. Measure both feet, since one foot is often slightly larger, and size for the larger foot. Check the Mova size guide for the measurement method.
Step 2: Shop online where stock is listed by size. A physical shop can only show you what is on the shelf. An online store that filters by size tells you immediately what exists in size 46. For example, you can browse extra large size shoes at Mova and see the full range rather than hoping a shopkeeper has something in the back.
Step 3: Buy two pairs when you find a good fit. Large sizes go out of stock and often do not return. If a shoe fits well and the price is fair, a second pair in the same size saves you a repeat search later.
Step 4: Watch clearance and sale sections. Odd and large sizes often end up discounted when the common sizes sell out first. Check the clearance collection and the 11.11 sale for large sizes at reduced prices.
Step 5: Consider sandals and slippers as backup. Open footwear in large sizes is easier to source and lasts well in Pakistani summers. The sandals collection and slippers collection both run into larger sizes more reliably than formal closed shoes.
Formal shoes in large sizes: the hardest category
Formal leather shoes are the worst category for large sizes. Office dress codes require closed leather shoes, demand is steady, but factories and importers still under order size 46 because the volume is low compared to size 42 and 43.
If you need formal shoes in a large size, expect fewer designs, not zero. The formal collection and leather shoes collection carry large sizes, but the selection in size 46 will always be smaller than in size 43. Check the size filter first, then shortlist designs, rather than falling in love with a shoe and then checking the size.
Comparing your options as a large size buyer
| Option | Size 46 availability | Price | Trade off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local bazaar shops | Very rare | Low to medium | Wasted trips, limited choice |
| Big multi brand stores | Occasional | Medium | Single pair per design, rarely restocked |
| Online Pakistani stores | Good if size filtered | Medium | Must check return policy |
| Ordering from abroad | Possible | High | Shipping cost, customs, long wait, returns are difficult |
For most Pakistani buyers, online stores with size filters and a clear return policy are the practical middle path. Check the Mova customer FAQs for exchange and return details before ordering, so you know your options if the fit is not right.
Where to buy
Mova keeps a dedicated range of extra large size shoes at Mova, built for buyers in size 45 and above who are tired of empty shelves. You can also filter the full men's shoes collection by size to see every design currently available in your size.
Frequently asked questions
Is size 46 available in Pakistan?
Yes, but not in most local shops. Size 46 is rarely part of standard production runs from local manufacturers and importers, so you will not usually find it in bazaar stores. Online stores that hold stock in large sizes are the most reliable source, including the extra large size range at Mova.
Should I buy a size 44 if size 46 is not available?
No. A shoe that is two sizes too small will press on your toes, cause blisters, and will not stretch enough to become comfortable. Closed leather shoes in particular do not stretch more than a few millimetres. It is better to wait for the correct size or look at open designs like sandals, which tolerate a slightly short fit better.
How do I know my correct shoe size at home?
Place a paper on the floor against a wall, stand on it with your heel touching the wall, and mark the tip of your longest toe. Measure the distance in centimetres, do this in the evening, and measure both feet. Compare the longer measurement against a size chart, such as the one in the Mova size guide, to find your UK and EU size.
Why do shops in Pakistan say big sizes are out of stock so often?
Because they only ever receive one or two pairs per design in large sizes, if any. Importers and factories size their orders around the most common sizes, so a size 46 pair that sells is often not replaced for months, if at all. This is a supply issue, not a sign that large sizes are impossible to find.
Are large size shoes more expensive in Pakistan?
They can be, for two reasons. First, imported large sizes are ordered in small quantities, which raises the per pair cost. Second, some sellers mark up rare sizes knowing the buyer has few alternatives. Comparing prices across online stores and checking sale sections, such as clearance or seasonal sales, is the simplest way to avoid overpaying.
Sources and further reading
- NHS (footwear and foot health guidance)
- World Health Organization
- Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists
- Pakistan Bureau of Statistics